How to Commute from Waltham to Cambridge — Trains, Bikes, Buses & More
Thinking about moving to Waltham but still need to get to Cambridge, Boston, or the Seaport every day? You’re not alone. Waltham’s mix of affordability, green space, and urban convenience makes it a favorite for people who need a fast, reliable commute without the Boston price tag.
Big draws for living in Waltham?
Whether you’re biking to biotech, training to Kendall, or Zooming from a sun-filled home office, here’s your local commuter playbook.
Commuting to Cambridge (and Boston) from Waltham
🦄 The Unicorn Commute: Waltham to the Biotech Corridor
Yes, it really exists. The 70 bus runs straight from Waltham Center to some of Greater Boston’s most high-impact destinations — no transfers, no drama.
🧬 Arsenal Yards and the biotech corridor in Watertown
🏥 Harvard University’s Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) in Allston
☕ Central Square, with easy access to MIT
🚊 Red Line connection for the rest of Cambridge and Boston
This route is a favorite among grad students, lab techs, postdocs, and anyone who wants a car-free commute from Waltham to Harvard, biotech, and beyond. Just hop on and ride — it’s the closest thing to teleporting in Boston.
To search out some detailed MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority) solutions, check their Trip Planner.
🚆 Train: Waltham to Cambridge, Boston & Beyond
The MBTA Fitchburg Line is Waltham’s commuter backbone.
Waltham Station (📍 Corner of Carter St & Moody St) takes you:
To Porter Square in ~15 minutes
To North Station in ~25 minutes
Morning trains run every 30–60 minutes. Afternoon and weekend service is lighter—check the Fitchburg Line schedule for details.
Red Line Commute – Ideal for commuters heading to Harvard, MIT, MGH, or tech/startup hubs.
🚆 Commuter Rail ➔ Red Line ➔ Cambridge/South Station
Transfer at Porter Square for Red Line service to:
Green Line Commute – For Back Bay, Boston University, and Longwood Medical Area.
🚆 Commuter Rail ➔ Green Line ➔ Back Bay/Longwood
Transfer at North Station for Green Line service to:
🚊 North Station (Transfer Commuter Rail to Green Line)
🚊 Back Bay
🚊 Copley
🚲 Bike: The Two-Wheel Commute
Biking from Waltham to Cambridge is totally doable—with the right route. A bike commute will mean some lovely riverside paths, some off-roading (aka mud), and some stretches of sharrows—shared-lane markings where bikes and cars co-exist. Many bike commuters will say that biking is a great way to go sometimes… depending on the weather and construction.
Distance from Café on the Common to Harvard Square: ~7.8 miles
Best Route: Follow the Charles River Bike Path for a scenic, mostly flat ride. Connect via:
Moody Street ➡️ Riverwalk ➡️ Charles River Greenway
Cut through Watertown Square ➡️ Arsenal Street ➡️ Western Ave ➡️ into Allston/Cambridge
🛴 Bluebikes are available in both Waltham and Cambridge for shorter hops or one-way rides.
Check out Bluebikes locations here.
🚗 Driving & Zipcar
If you drive, Waltham puts you close to Route 2, the Mass Pike, and 95/128 — but many people commute along well-worn paths like Route 20, Route 16, and Washington Street depending on their destination and traffic patterns. Travel times by car can vary wildly by time of day, weather, and Red Sox schedule.
To Kendall/MIT: ~25–35 mins in light traffic
To the Seaport: ~30–45 mins depending on route and time
To Harvard Square: ~20 mins
📦 Don’t own a car? Waltham has Zipcar locations near downtown and Brandeis. Super useful for grocery runs, day trips, or hybrid commuters.
🚌 Bus: Local MBTA Options
Bus service isn’t the fastest option but works in a pinch:
70/70A from Waltham Center to Cambridge (Central Sq) via Watertown
553/554 connect Waltham to Newton and Downtown Boston (limited schedule)
Check MBTA bus maps and schedules for up-to-date info.
