MBTA – St. Patrick’s Day Guide

For over 100 years, Boston has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a parade through the streets of South Boston. Up to a million people attend the parade every year—and they arrive early to claim their viewing spots on the parade route.

This year, the parade starts at Broadway Station on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 1 PM. Due to street closures and parking bans in the neighborhood, driving to the parade is not recommended.

Here are some other things you should know about taking the T to South Boston to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Take the T to and from the Parade

The Red Line will be very crowded on the day of the parade. Please plan ahead for your trip—you may need to wait longer than usual to get on a train.

Complimentary shuttles will be provided from South Station on the day of the parade.

🚍 Shuttle

Between 10:30 AM and 6 PM, a free shuttle will provide service between South Station and South Boston.

To South Boston

• Shuttle pickup: Summer St @ Atlantic Ave
• Shuttle drop off: E 1st St @ City Point Bus Terminal

To South Station

• Shuttle pickup: E 1st St @ City Point Bus Terminal
• Shuttle drop off: Summer St @ Atlantic Ave

🔴 Red Line

The Red Line will run rush hour service from 10 AM – 6 PM.

Trains may bypass Broadway station during certain times of the day due to heavy crowds.

🚌 Bus

Due to road closures the day of the parade, buses will not stop at: 

• Broadway station, starting at 9:45 AM
• Andrew station, after 10:15 AM

Routes 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 47 will be detoured around the parade area.

🚉 Commuter Rail

Commuter Rail trains will run with additional cars to accommodate parade attendees.

$10 Weekend Passes

Weekend passes are valid for unlimited travel on all Commuter Rail lines in all zones on Saturday and Sunday. We recommend buying them with the mTicket app.

Recommended Trains Home

Check out this PDF to see which trains we recommend after the parade and how crowded we expect each train to be. 

🅿️ Parking 

Driving to the parade isn’t recommended. Parking restrictions and street closures will be in effect in South Boston. However, you can park at an MBTA station and take the subway or Commuter Rail in. Daily parking rates are $2 – $15, and you may use the PayByPhone app or be invoiced.

Happy St. Patty’s Day,

The USA Moovit Team