Boston on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
A budget trip to Boston is possible if you stay in hostels or across the river and focus on the free historic sites. A realistic minimum is about US$135 a day per person sharing a room — US$70 for a bed, US$40 for food, US$20 for sights and US$5 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$70 | US$160 | US$350 |
| Food & drink | US$40 | US$80 | US$160 |
| Sights & tickets | US$20 | US$50 | US$120 |
| Local transport | US$5 | US$10 | US$40 |
| Per person, per day | US$135 | US$300 | US$670 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Boston day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Charlestown
- Boston Common and the Public Garden
- The Boston Public Library and Bates Hall reading room
- Harvard Yard and a walk around the Harvard campus
- The USS Constitution in the Charlestown Navy Yard (security check, bring ID)
- Sunset on the Charles River Esplanade
Cheap eats
- Slice of pizza in the North End or a local pizza shop — about US$4–6
- Clam chowder in a bread bowl at Quincy Market — about US$10–15
- Cannoli from a North End pastry shop — about US$5–7
- Sandwich or roast beef roll from a local deli — about US$10–15
- Food trucks around the Greenway and Dewey Square — about US$10–15
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in the hostels in central Boston, or in Cambridge and Somerville along the Red Line, where rooms are cheaper than in Back Bay. Hostel dorm beds often cost about US$50–90 a night, depending on the season, and budget doubles about US$120–200.
Getting around cheaply
Walk the centre and use the T for longer trips. From Logan Airport, the Silver Line SL1 bus to South Station is free; the Blue Line is also inexpensive. A weekly LinkPass can work out cheaper for longer stays. Skip the hire car — parking can cost US$40 or more a day.
A sample budget day
- Morning: walk the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to the Old State House (free)
- Lunch: chowder at Quincy Market (about US$12)
- Afternoon: North End, Paul Revere's House area and the USS Constitution (free), cannoli on the way (about US$6)
- Evening: pizza and a beer (about US$20), sunset on the Esplanade (free), T rides (about US$5)
- Total: about US$135 including a hostel bed or shared room (about US$70)
More ways to save
- Visit in winter or early spring for the lowest hotel rates.
- Choose one big paid museum rather than several, and check for free evening or community days.
- Shop at supermarkets or Haymarket's outdoor produce stalls (Fridays and Saturdays).
- Fill a bottle with tap water instead of buying drinks.
- Remember to budget for tips (18–20%) and tax when comparing menu prices.
- Take a free student-led walking tour or self-guided tour of Harvard.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Boston?
About US$135 on a budget, US$300 mid-range and US$670 for comfort, per person sharing a room.
What is the cheapest way from Logan Airport to the city?
The Silver Line SL1 bus to South Station, which is free from the airport.
Is the Freedom Trail free?
Yes. The trail is marked on the pavement, and most sites are free, with a few charging small fees.