A Guide to Boston as a Chronic Uberer

by Siena Gordillo

Guilty as charged: I am the chronic uber-er. I am a firm believer that every friend group has one of each travel trope––the insistent walker, public transportation enthusiast, the Bluebike

fanatic, or the aforementioned Uber addict. It has taken both living and working in Boston to figure out when traveling via Uber beats taking advantage of the city’s walkability and public transport. 

And in an effort to explore these options, here is my guide to some of your Boston travels:

On BU Campus:

I get it, sometimes you run late. It can be a trek to make it from West Campus to Questrom on a blistering cold Monday morning, but stay strong on this one. Living on a college campus could not be more convenient. The Green Line cuts right through all of BU—even reaching our rival, BC, out in Newton. Meanwhile, the 57 Bus and the BU shuttle keep things moving along Commonwealth Ave.

The consensus: When the MBTA services are running accordingly, use it. And there’s always the bus!

To Newbury Street (or in between): 

My general rule with this specific trip is you can absolutely, and feasibly, walk, bike, or take the T to Newbury Street. The amount of money I am guilty of having spent getting from BU Central to Newbury Street is nothing short of absurd. Those $8 rides back and forth tend to add up. I would justify it by using Uber as a means to get to and from work each day, but learn from my mistakes! When it comes to getting to Newbury Street (or any of Back Bay), take advantage of the city being walkable and enjoy the beauty of Commonwealth Ave. on the way, especially during the late summer months. 

The consensus: Try to walk or take the T! It will feel better after you do some Newbury retail damage as well. 

To Somerville and Beyond:

The trip isn’t quick, but it definitely is doable. From any point on the MBTA's Green Line, you can ride to Park Street. From Park Street, you can hop on the Red Line to Davis Square or surrounding areas. If you’re up for it, biking is also a great option––cutting down on both travel time and cost. Park Street is convenient, and one of Somerville’s charms is that you can walk almost everywhere. Weigh the cost of a roundtrip T ride versus the inevitable $30 Uber.

The consensus: Public transportation is doable for far less money, and worth the ride.

To Dorchester and Southie:

Make an adventure out of it! The Red Line may not be perfect, but its reach across the city makes it a valid alternative to Uber. From BU’s campus, the ride takes just under an hour, give or take a few minutes, and a T ride to Dorchester will leave you right at Fields Corner. And while you’re there, grab a meal at Lucy’s American Tavern––it’s worth the trip.

The consensus: An Uber ride is valid, but don’t forget the Green to Red Line combo. It’ll take you all the way from Somerville through Cambridge and down right into the heart of Dorchester. 

Learning to travel in Boston is a bit of trial and error, but it’s totally possible to do it smoothly and on a budget. It’s easy to fall into the Uber trap now and then––low fares and quick rides make it feel like a no-brainer. But from one chronic uber-er to another, 2025 is the year for new habits, goals, and lots of public transportation.