Boston Traffic Gridlock Hack:

Water Taxi services are an underutilized resource for coastline trippers in Boston. If your destination is anywhere on Boston Harbor’s coast: the North End, Charlestown, East Boston’s several new residential developments, the Airport, or a restaurant in the Seaport district, a water taxi can get you there without the traffic woes and the added costs of sitting in traffic. Boston Harbor Cruise Lines and Rowes Wharf Taxi services have recently added many service stops, and coming soon will be North Station’s Converse stop.

The water taxis are on call at 617-227-4320, by radio dispatch at any one of the 28 stops. The response times are usually under 10 minutes and often a taxi can be found waiting for a fare at the dock. Fares are flat rate of $12.00 per person, no gridlock meter ticking here. Typical stop to stop travel time is 10-15 minutes.

Hack Bonus:

BHC has a discounted 10-ride card and you can take a buddy along who will also receive the discount rate. BHC also offers discounted group rates. Rowes Wharf taxis offer reduced rates for same day round trip inner-harbor fares. Rowes taxis are green, with the only electric motor in the fleet.

This summer BHC will be adding five new taxis to the fleet. The new vessels will carry 30 passengers and will keep summer commuters and travelers moving on the water all summer long.

Water taxis operate Monday through Saturday from 6:30AM to 10 PM (8PM on Sunday) and in the summer (June 8-Sept 4) from 6:30AM to 11PM (10PM on Sunday). Call 617-227-4320 for dispatch. (Schedule & Rates)

Quickness and rates aside, try a water taxi experience and find out what makes Boston a world class city.