Combining transit with walking or biking

For trips over 3 or 4 miles, mixing transit with a walk or bike ride at each end is often the fastest and most pleasant way to get there. You skip the slowest parts of an all-transit trip (local stops, transfers), get some exercise without adding much time, and arrive right at the door.

How it works

1. Walk or bike to a stop or station (5 to 15 min).

2. Ride the bus or train for the long middle part.

3. Walk or bike from the stop to where you're going (5 to 15 min).

Planning the trip

• Use Google Maps or the Transit app. Enter your destination, look at the transit options, and notice which stops are within a 10 to 15 minute walk of each end.
• Choose rapid transit for the middle. The subway, Commuter Rail or an express bus is the fastest way to cover the long stretch.
• Consider Bluebikes for the last mile. Stations are often right next to transit stops, and biking the last mile is usually quicker than waiting for a connecting bus.

An example

Somerville to the Seaport is about 6 miles. One way to do it:

• Walk 8 min to Davis station
• Ride the Red Line to South Station (about 17 min)
• Walk 10 min to the Seaport

About 35 minutes, $2.40, and 18 minutes of walking built into the day.

A few practical things

• Build in buffer time. Allow 5 extra minutes until you know the routine.
• Have a backup. Know the all-transit route for bad-weather days.
• It gets easier. Once you know the timing, the planning drops to almost nothing.