Major city · United States
Winthrop, MassachusettsWinthrop
Skip as a base unless you want a quiet beach town near Logan: 1 night, or a half-day from Boston by Blue Line plus bus 712/713.
Winthrop is a small coastal town on a peninsula east of Boston, wrapped by water and reachable from the Blue Line at Orient Heights by bus 712 or 713. It has a town beach, a seasonal ferry link to Boston and Logan, and a handful of seafood and BBQ spots. Most travellers see it as a half-day or a cheap-ish airport-adjacent night, not a destination in itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the beach and ferry; May and Oct for walking without crowds
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, windy, ferry out of season)
- 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Emergency numbers for Winthrop, Massachusetts911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222
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 Winthrop, 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
- SafetyLow-crime suburban town; the real issues are cold water and rip currents at the beach, dark unlit stretches along Shirley St 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 · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control (US)
- 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 (About 10–15 min by car or taxi outside peak traffic; the seasonal ferry also calls at Logan Landing.).
- Getting aroundMBTA bus 712 and 713 run seven days a week between Orient Heights Blue Line station and Winthrop.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi or rideshare, Logan to Winthrop BeachHigher with surge or tunnel traffic.$20–35
- Metro or bus rideMBTA bus or subway ride$2.40
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
- Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed (Boston area), a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$340
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
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 (About 10–15 min by car or taxi outside peak traffic; the seasonal ferry also calls at Logan Landing.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Winthrop, 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
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 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
MBTA bus 712 and 713 run seven days a week between Orient Heights Blue Line station and Winthrop. The Winthrop Ferry runs seasonally from Winthrop Landing (705 Shirley St) to Quincy, Logan Airport, Boston Seaport and Boston Aquarium (Central Wharf), daytime only, $6.50 one way. A car is useful for the Belle Isle and Point Shirley ends, and beach parking can fill on hot summer weekends.
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 45–60 min
Bus 712/713 to Orient Heights, then the Blue Line to Aquarium or Government Center
Cheapest and most frequent link; the ferry is faster to the waterfront when it runs.
Door to door: About 1 h
Blue Line to Government Center, then the Green Line to Park St and the Red Line
Door to door: About 1 h
Blue Line to State, Green Line to Park St, Red Line to Davis or Porter
Door to door: About 1 h 5 min
Blue Line to Government Center, then the Green Line C or D branch
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Blue Line to North Station, then the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail
Doable as a day, but the transfer-heavy route eats the morning.
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.
Winthrop Beach / Shirley St
Oceanfront inns and short-term rentals; walk to the beach and the ferry landing at 705 Shirley St.
Center / Metcalf Square
Town centre near the library; bus 712/713 stops, few beds.
Orient Heights, Boston (alternative base)
Not in Winthrop: just over the line on the Blue Line, with more rooms and easier transit. Bus 712/713 connects it to Winthrop.
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
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × US$200 | US$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| MBTA bus 712/713 + Blue Line, day of travel2 × US$5 · 2026 estimate | US$10 |
| Winthrop Ferry, one way2 × US$7 · 2026 estimate | US$13 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 · 2026 estimate | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$56 |
| Trip total≈ US$310 per person per day, bed included | US$619 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Fried seafood plate | $18–28 |
| BBQ plate | $16–26 |
| Mexican mains | $16–22 |
| MBTA bus or subway ride | $2.40 |
| Taxi or rideshare, Logan to Winthrop BeachHigher with surge or tunnel traffic. | $20–35 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry is seasonal and daytime only; service can be suspended in extreme weather — check the MBTA timetable the day you travel.
- Bus 712/713 runs less often in the evening — check the MBTA timetable before a late return to the Blue Line.
- Beach parking and Shirley St can fill on hot weekends; arrive before mid-morning.
- Deane Winthrop House opens by appointment only — call ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control (US)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Winthrop, MassachusettsWinthrop
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Winthrop; consulates-general are in Boston and embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Winthrop Landing → Boston Aquarium, ferry: $6.50 one way, daytime only, seasonal
- Orient Heights → Winthrop, bus 712/713: standard MBTA fare, about 15 min
- Logan → Winthrop Beach, taxi: $20–35, 10–15 min off-peak
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
Tipping is expected: 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 Winthrop, 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: Jun–Sep for the beach and ferry; May and Oct for walking without crowds · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, windy, ferry out of season) · 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
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BOS: taxi and rideshare times to Shirley St by hour, ferry alternative when in season, late-arrival fallback in Orient Heights.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Winthrop Beach and the ferry landing, Metcalf Square and the library, Belle Isle and Point Shirley.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Deane Winthrop House by appointment, Winthrop Beach, Belle Isle) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures so the ferry and beach pages can go green only when the timetable is confirmed.
Sources
Ask about Winthrop, Massachusetts
Loading…