You’re standing in downtown Boston, maybe near Faneuil Hall or the Common, and you’re thinking about witches. Or maybe you're thinking about maritime history, or just getting out of the city for a day. Naturally, the question pops up: how far is Salem MA from Boston MA? It's close. Really close. But "close" is a relative term when you're dealing with Massachusetts infrastructure.
On a map, you’re looking at a mere 15 to 25 miles depending on your starting point and the route you take. If you could fly like a crow—or, fittingly, on a broomstick—it’s about 13 miles. But since you’re likely stuck with wheels or rails, the reality is a bit more nuanced. It’s a trip that can take 35 minutes or two hours. I’ve seen both. Honestly, the distance is less about mileage and more about your tolerance for the North Shore's infamous traffic patterns.
The literal mileage and the "Boston Minute"
If you’re driving from the heart of Government Center in Boston to the Salem Witch Museum, the odometer will click over about 16 miles if you take I-93 North to Route 1. If you opt for the more scenic (and often slower) route through Revere and Lynn via Route 1A, it’s closer to 15 miles.
Why does this matter? Because in New England, 15 miles can feel like a cross-country trek if you hit the Tobin Bridge at 5:00 PM.
The physical distance is negligible. You could bike it in under two hours if you’re fit and don't mind the chaos of the Lynnway. But most people aren't biking. They’re calculating the trade-off between the cost of the ferry, the convenience of the Commuter Rail, and the sheer headache of finding a parking spot in Salem during "Haunted Happenings" in October.
Getting there by train: The MBTA Commuter Rail
For my money, the train is the best way to bridge the gap between these two cities. You head to North Station in Boston. You look for the Newburyport/Rockport Line.
It’s a straight shot.
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The train ride itself is roughly 30 to 35 minutes. You pull out of the city, skip over the Charles River, pass through Chelsea and Lynn, and suddenly you’re descending into the tunnel that leads to Salem Station. The station is practically in the lap of the downtown area. You walk up the stairs, and you’re a five-minute stroll from the Essex Street pedestrian mall.
The fare is reasonable—usually around $8.00 each way, though prices fluctuate based on the MBTA's latest zone adjustments. During the weekends in the fall, they often offer a $10 unlimited pass, which is a steal. The downside? The schedule. If you miss that 8:00 PM train back to Boston, you might be sitting on a cold bench for an hour. Check the mTicket app. Seriously. Don't wing it.
The Drive: Route 1 vs. 1A
Driving is a gamble.
If you take I-93 North to Route 1, you’re going for speed. You’ll pass the "Leaning Tower of Pizza" in Revere (a local landmark that is exactly what it sounds like) and eventually hop onto Route 114, which dumps you right into Salem. On a Tuesday at 10:00 AM? You’re there in 35 minutes. On a Friday in October? Godspeed.
Then there’s Route 1A. This is the "coastal" route, though you won't see much of the ocean until you're actually in Salem or Beverly. It takes you through the Sumner Tunnel (which has been plagued by closures and construction lately) and out through Revere. It’s shorter in distance but often longer in duration due to the endless sequence of traffic lights in Lynn.
Pro tip: If you are driving to Salem in October, just don't. The city actually begs people not to drive. They close streets. Parking garages fill up by 9:00 AM and cost $40 or more. The "distance" becomes irrelevant when you spend an hour circling a single block near the House of the Seven Gables.
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Taking the high seas: The Salem Ferry
If you want to feel like a sophisticated traveler rather than a frustrated commuter, take the ferry.
The Salem Ferry departs from Long Wharf in Boston (near the New England Aquarium). It’s a high-speed catamaran. The distance is about the same, but the vibe is entirely different. It takes about 45 minutes. You get a view of the Boston skyline, the Harbor Islands, and the rugged coastline of the North Shore.
It’s expensive compared to the train—often around $25 to $30 for a one-way ticket. But there’s a bar on board. You can drink a Bloody Mary while zooming past Logan Airport. It’s the most "vacation" way to handle the distance. Just keep in mind it only runs seasonally, usually from late May through Halloween.
Why the distance feels longer in October
We have to talk about October. Salem is the unofficial world capital of Halloween. During this month, the physical 16-mile gap between Boston and Salem transforms into a psychological barrier.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the City of Salem frequently issue "Travel Alerts." They’ve even experimented with adding extra train cars and "Ghost Trains" to handle the influx of the half-million visitors that descend on the town.
When people ask "how far is Salem MA from Boston MA," they are usually asking "how much of my day will this take?"
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- Nov–August: It's a half-day trip.
- September: It's a full-day trip.
- October: It's an odyssey.
Walking or Biking: For the bold
Is it walkable? Not really. I mean, technically yes, but you’d be walking along some pretty industrial stretches of road in Everett and Chelsea that aren't exactly "New England charm." It would take you about 5 or 6 hours.
Biking is better. The Northern Strand Community Trail (often called the Bike to the Sea trail) has made massive leaps in connecting these areas. You can get from near Boston through Everett, Revere, Saugus, and Lynn. You still have to navigate some city streets to finish the leg into Salem, but it’s a legitimate option for a cyclist looking for a 30-mile round trip.
The "Secret" Bus Route
Nobody talks about the 450 or 459 bus.
These leave from Haymarket or Union Street in Boston. They take a long time. They stop everywhere. But if the trains are broken (which happens) and you don't have a car, the bus is your fallback. It’s the "local" way. You’ll see the back-end of the North Shore that tourists usually miss—the strip malls, the neighborhood diners, the real life that exists between the historic monuments.
Misconceptions about Salem's location
A lot of people think Salem is way out on Cape Ann, near Gloucester. It isn't. It’s nestled in a little pocket of the coast known as the North Shore, sitting just above Lynn and below Beverly.
Another common mistake is confusing Salem, MA with Winston-Salem (North Carolina) or Salem, NH. If you put "Salem" into your GPS without the state, and it says it's 60 miles away, you're going to New Hampshire. New Hampshire's Salem has a big mall and a horse track, but zero 17th-century witch trials. Make sure you're heading toward the coast.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the short distance between these two historic hubs, follow this hierarchy of transportation:
- Check the MBTA Commuter Rail schedule first. It is consistently the most reliable way to travel. Use the "Purple Line" from North Station.
- Download the mTicket app. You can buy your tickets on your phone and avoid the kiosks at North Station, which often have long lines during peak tourist hours.
- If it's summer, book the ferry at least 48 hours in advance. The 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM departures from Boston sell out quickly on weekends.
- Avoid driving on weekends. If you must drive, park at a peripheral MBTA station like Wonderland (Revere) on the Blue Line or Beverly Depot and take the train the last one or two stops.
- Wear walking shoes. Regardless of how you get there, Salem is a walking city. Once you arrive, you won't need a car or an Uber; the distance between the major sites (The Witch House, Pickering Wharf, and the Peabody Essex Museum) is all within a 15-minute radius.
The distance between Boston and Salem is short enough that you shouldn't let the logistics intimidate you. Just pick your "vehicle" based on the season, and you'll be fine.