Major city · United States
Braintree, MassachusettsBraintree
Skip Braintree as a sightseeing base. Use it as a Red Line park-and-ride for Boston, or one night if you need a cheap bed near I-93.
Braintree is a 37,000-person suburb 15 km south of Boston, where I-93, US-1, MA-3 and MA-24 meet. Its real value is logistics: the Red Line terminates here, Logan Express drops here, and hotel rooms cost less than downtown Boston. The sights are thin — a birthplace museum, a golf course, a big mall — so most travellers sleep here and spend the day in the city.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow), Thanksgiving–New Year traffic
- Airport
- BOS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Braintree, Massachusetts911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Braintree Police (non-emergency)781-843-1212
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Braintree, Massachusetts, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime Boston suburb; the real hazards are highway traffic, winter ice on pavements and unlit crossings on Route 37 at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 781-843-1212 Braintree Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOS Boston Logan International (Logan Express shuttle runs to Braintree; about 30–40 min depending on traffic).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the town is spread along highways and buses run every 35–80 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Beerdraught$7–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$12–20
- Metro or bus rideMBTA subway ride$2.40 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$180
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$170
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOS Boston Logan International (Logan Express shuttle runs to Braintree; about 30–40 min depending on traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Braintree, Massachusetts: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
11 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
10 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the town is spread along highways and buses run every 35–80 min. The MBTA Red Line ends at Braintree station and takes about 25–30 min to downtown Boston. Five MBTA bus routes (225, 226, 230, 236, 238) cover local streets; the 226 does not run Sundays and the 236 is daytime only.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min to downtown
MBTA Red Line from Braintree station
The main reason to stay here: park at the station and ride in.
Door to door: About 40–50 min
Drive MA-3 south
Plimoth Patuxet and the waterfront; easy half-day from Braintree.
Door to door: About 35–45 min
Drive MA-3A / MA-123 east
Harbour and lighthouse; good on a clear afternoon.
Door to door: About 40 min
Drive MA-106 south
Small town; only worth it if you are already heading south.
Door to door: About 45–55 min
Drive MA-3 south, or MBTA Plymouth-Kingston line
Train option avoids summer Cape traffic.
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
cautionDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive MA-24 south
College town; limited draw unless visiting someone.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Wood Road hotel strip
Cluster of chain hotels off I-93/Route 37; free-ish parking, 5 min drive to South Shore Plaza.
Braintree station area
Walkable to the Red Line terminus; best if you plan to ride into Boston daily.
Randolph (just south)
Cheaper rooms, but you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–190 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$170 | US$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Logan Express, one way2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| MBTA subway fare, one way2 × US$2 · check | US$5 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$51 |
| Trip total≈ US$278 per person per day, bed included | US$556 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; Boston sightseeing and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner or pub main | $14–26 |
| Beer, draught | $7–10 |
| 5 km taxi or rideshare | $12–20 |
| MBTA subway ride | $2.40 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Highways around Braintree jam for much of the day — add 20–30 min to any drive at peak.
- Bus service is infrequent evenings and weekends; check the last departure before you rely on it.
- Hotel rates spike during Boston events and graduation season.
- Winter storms can close or delay the Red Line and Logan Express.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Braintree Police (non-emergency)
- 781-843-1212
Pocket card
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Braintree, MassachusettsBraintree
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Braintree Police (non-emergency)781-843-1212
Embassy
No embassies in Braintree; consulates-general and embassies are in Boston and Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Logan Express, Logan → Braintree: about $20, 30–40 min (check)
- Red Line Braintree → downtown Boston: about $2.40, 25–30 min (check)
- Taxi Braintree hotels → South Shore Plaza: $10–15
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the station? — Where is the station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- The check, please — The check, please
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Braintree, Massachusetts. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow), Thanksgiving–New Year traffic · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares