Decided to try the train to the game. Any advice?

[PatsDeb]

After it took me 4 stressful hours in traffic to get from Nashua, NH to the stadium for the first game of the season, my hubby and I have decided to try the train from South Station for this Sunday's game. The train leaves South Station at 11:00 am. We are planning to take the red line from Alewife to SS then transfer to the commuter rail. Has anyone else done this? Any advice? Were you able to buy the tickets to Foxboro ahead of time? Any problem in terms of getting shut out of a seat on the train? Thanks in advance for any info.

Deb

 

[Patspsycho]

After it took me 4 stressful hours in traffic to get from Nashua, NH to the stadium for the first game of the season, my hubby and I have decided to try the train from South Station for this Sunday's game. The train leaves South Station at 11:00 am. We are planning to take the red line from Alewife to SS then transfer to the commuter rail. Has anyone else done this? Any advice? Were you able to buy the tickets to Foxboro ahead of time? Any problem in terms of getting shut out of a seat on the train? Thanks in advance for any info.

Deb

Transfer from Red line to South Station is very easy, you just walk upstairs, right into the station. Be sure to follow the "south station" signs when you disembark. I think you should be safe if you buy the ticket at the window rather than on the train, with let's say half hour to spare.

Perhaps other people have had different experiences. We'll see if we hear from them.

 

[primetime]

There's literally no chance you will be shut out of a seat if you leave from South Station. I would always go from Back Bay and there were always tons of seats. It's a great way to get to the game.

 

[Satchboogie3]

I've decided to take the Train to the game as well and I have some questions too. First, can I get the tickets right at the train? I'm going to be in CT/NJ for the weekend and won't be able to pick them up ahead of time.

Is there any worry of the train being sold out? I plan to get on at Mansfield, but I can get on a stop or two earlier. Also, is there decent parking at Mansfield? I don't want to have to spend 30 minutes looking for a parking spot only to miss the train.

 

[Kontradiction]

This is about the time of the thread where I remind people of what I would give up just to be 4 hours away from Foxboro...

 

[Tunescribe]

I recommend that you DO NOT take the train to Gillette. I have done it several times and after last week's experience finally decided never again. The ride is long, slow, unreliable and understaffed. Last week the train from South Station (I boarded in Dedham) was 30 MINUTES LATE arriving in Foxboro. The schedule says it arrives at 12:05 for a 1 p.m. game, we got there at 12:35. Once the train stopped, the damn doors were stuck shut and couldn't be opened from the inside! We had to wait until a rail employee opened them from the outside. We had to practically run to the stadium, and ended up in our seats six minutes before kickoff. But that's not all. Waiting for the train to leave after the game, someone had a heart attack. The conductor issued a plea over the intercom for anyone with medical expertise (you'd think they'd have that covered), and departure was delayed until cops/paramedics arrived to render aid. (I saw the guy carried off on a stretcher from my window.)

Other times I've used the game-day train there have been delay problems for one reason or another. For the sleet/snow Jets game in 2007, it arrived halfway through the first quarter. In another instance there was a track problem that delayed the ride home by at least an hour.

If two of you go to the game it costs $12 each to ride the train plus $4 parking = $28. To me, it's worth paying $40 to park near the stadium knowing you'll get in and out safely and in reasonable time. The only times the train uses that leg of the track from Walpole to Gillette is for Pats games, and it literally crawls slower than most folks can walk. My guess is that the track is poorly maintained and must be traversed very carefully. Mark my words: someday, either that train or the track is going to break down and thousands of people will be stranded. I won't be one of them.

 

[italia44]

There's literally no chance you will be shut out of a seat if you leave from South Station. I would always go from Back Bay and there were always tons of seats. It's a great way to get to the game.

to lower your stress level even more,you ought to think about taking the bus down from NH.It leaves from inside South Station and goes pretty far up into New Hampshire.Cheaper,too,if you buy a round trip ticket.I used to do it on weekends to visit an old flame in Derry.Very relaxing ride.

 

[Satchboogie3]

It's really that bad? Is there any reasonably priced parking near the stadium ($10-$20)? I'm driving up myself and meet people there and I don't feel like all 3 of us paying $40 each.

 

[Patspsycho]

It's really that bad? Is there any reasonably priced parking near the stadium ($10-$20)? I'm driving up myself and meet people there and I don't feel like all 3 of us paying $40 each.

Now in the days of Sullivan, that may have been true.

$50 minimum "near" the stadium is the going rate these days.

 

[Tunescribe]

It's really that bad? Is there any reasonably priced parking near the stadium ($10-$20)? I'm driving up myself and meet people there and I don't feel like all 3 of us paying $40 each.

You guys need to meet up somewhere else and carpool, then split the parking cost. The cheapest outlying private lots are $40 per car. And STAY AWAY from the adjacent stadium lots, they take forever to empty out. Your best bet is a private business lot 1 to 1.5 miles from the stadium on either side of Route 1. It's a 10-15 minute walk and you'll be able to zip right out into traffic by the time you get back to your car after the game. Trust me, I've done this about 200 times.

 

[PatsDeb]

Thanks for the input everyone. Despite your experiences, Tune, I am going to give it a whirl. I've been a season ticket holder since 1993 and getting to the stadium has gotten progressively worse (believe me, I know how lucky I am to have gone to so many games). If it is not a game day and there is no traffic, I live about an hour and 10 minutes away from the stadium. Way back when we could leave 2 hours before the game and get there in time for kickoff. Then it became three hours. Now it's 4, and you are stressed the whole time about whether you are going to make it to your seat by kickoff. Forget tailgating. My husband has gotten to the point where he wants to give up our tickets because it is such a hassle to get there. There is no parking for less than $40 near the stadium. We actually usually go with someone who has a club lot pass, but getting to those lots is even worse as they are right next to the stadium. I think a lot of it is the new mall, which took away a lot of parking spaces and brought a lot more people to the stadium area who don't even have tickets (I couldn't help but notice all the people on the balconies of CBS Scene as I arrived at 6:50 p.m. with the thousands of other fans who just sat in 4 hours of traffic at the reduced gates set up by the Pats, for a 7:00 kickoff).

The train is my last hope to get my husband to a couple of games this year. Hopefully it won't go off the rails this weekend, but with my luck, it probably will.

 

[JerseyPatriot76]

I have taken the train four times to Gillette. If you get on at South Station or Back Bay you and your husband will definitely get a seat. The train will be full by the last couple of stops.

The train will get you to the stadium usually around 12:15. Foxboro is an odd stop and the train has to back in to the stadium. That 10 minutes seems like an eternity.

It does leave pretty promptly about 30 minutes after the final whistle. You will be back in Boston a little before 6:00 depending on what time the game finishes. It's not the same as tailgating, but you do not pay $40 or more to park, so with the money you save there you can buy something at the stadium. You can bring food on the train.

 

[Tunescribe]

Thanks for the input everyone. Despite your experiences, Tune, I am going to give it a whirl. I've been a season ticket holder since 1993 and getting to the stadium has gotten progressively worse (believe me, I know how lucky I am to have gone to so many games). If it is not a game day and there is no traffic, I live about an hour and 10 minutes away from the stadium. Way back when we could leave 2 hours before the game and get there in time for kickoff. Then it became three hours. Now it's 4, and you are stressed the whole time about whether you are going to make it to your seat by kickoff. Forget tailgating. My husband has gotten to the point where he wants to give up our tickets because it is such a hassle to get there. There is no parking for less than $40 near the stadium. We actually usually go with someone who has a club lot pass, but getting to those lots is even worse as they are right next to the stadium. I think a lot of it is the new mall, which took away a lot of parking spaces and brought a lot more people to the stadium area who don't even have tickets (I couldn't help but notice all the people on the balconies of CBS Scene as I arrived at 6:50 p.m. with the thousands of other fans who just sat in 4 hours of traffic at the reduced gates set up by the Pats, for a 7:00 kickoff).

The train is my last hope to get my husband to a couple of games this year. Hopefully it won't go off the rails this weekend, but with my luck, it probably will.

Deb: I've been a season ticket holder since '93 as well and live in Lowell, so we're coming from roughly the same direction. The only times I've taken the train in all these years are when coming from the opposite direction with someone from Boston, or when I've been alone -- about six times total. Honestly, it's a roll of the dice getting to the game on time and the train is s-l-o-w. I think you're going about it wrong and here is what I do (and what I recommend):

It takes me 70 minutes to get to the parking lot I use leaving home at 9 a.m. (you should hit Route 3 out of Nashua about 8:20). I go down 495, take the Route 1 North exit, and park in the first private lot on the right (office building) immediately after Dunkin' Donuts (you know you're getting close when you see the state police barracks on your right; DD is at the very next intersection). Parking there is $40 and it's a nice place to tailgate. This lot is a little less than 1.5 miles from the stadium, but it's a much shorter walk than it would seem. I head to the stadium at noon and at 12:20 I'm on the concourse with time to hit the restroom, buy a program and grab a drink. Here's the best part of all: after another 15-20 minute walk back to the lot after the game, you can zip into Route 1 southbound traffic IMMEDIATELY without any wait at all. The cars are moving and you're back on 495 northbound pretty fast.

The problem with getting on the train from where you live is you have to travel too far south and east. If you MUST try it, I strongly suggest one of the last stops -- Dedham or the one after (Needham?). You'll have no problem getting seats at either stop. However you choose to go, I'll be interested in how it works out, so drop me a PM if you can.

 

[Pats726]

I think all will be interested in how your journey is...I have heard nightmares either way..car..train...so I think all will be interested in your experience.

 

[weswelker#83]

After it took me 4 stressful hours in traffic to get from Nashua, NH to the stadium for the first game of the season, my hubby and I have decided to try the train from South Station for this Sunday's game. The train leaves South Station at 11:00 am. We are planning to take the red line from Alewife to SS then transfer to the commuter rail. Has anyone else done this? Any advice? Were you able to buy the tickets to Foxboro ahead of time? Any problem in terms of getting shut out of a seat on the train? Thanks in advance for any info.

Deb

I would park the car in South Boston (2 huge parking lots by the World trade center) , the lots are empty on week ends . They are about 10 minutes walk to South Station , located 2 minutes drive from I 93 exit , purchase st/ South station exit. Price 10$

 

[PatsDeb]

Deb: I've been a season ticket holder since '93 as well and live in Lowell, so we're coming from roughly the same direction. The only times I've taken the train in all these years are when coming from the opposite direction with someone from Boston, or when I've been alone -- about six times total. Honestly, it's a roll of the dice getting to the game on time and the train is s-l-o-w. I think you're going about it wrong and here is what I do (and what I recommend):

It takes me 70 minutes to get to the parking lot I use leaving home at 9 a.m. (you should hit Route 3 out of Nashua about 8:20). I go down 495, take the Route 1 North exit, and park in the first private lot on the right (office building) immediately after Dunkin' Donuts (you know you're getting close when you see the state police barracks on your right; DD is at the very next intersection). Parking there is $40 and it's a nice place to tailgate. This lot is a little less than 1.5 miles from the stadium, but it's a much shorter walk than it would seem. I head to the stadium at noon and at 12:20 I'm on the concourse with time to hit the restroom, buy a program and grab a drink. Here's the best part of all: after another 15-20 minute walk back to the lot after the game, you can zip into Route 1 southbound traffic IMMEDIATELY without any wait at all. The cars are moving and you're back on 495 northbound pretty fast.

The problem with getting on the train from where you live is you have to travel too far south and east. If you MUST try it, I strongly suggest one of the last stops -- Dedham or the one after (Needham?). You'll have no problem getting seats at either stop. However you choose to go, I'll be interested in how it works out, so drop me a PM if you can.

Thanks for the info, Tune. I am committed to trying the train this weekend, so I'll see how it works out. I may try your other suggestion if it doesn't work out. I had to chuckle, however, at your suggested "leave" time. When we got our season tickets we were newly married & had no kids. Now we have 4 (plus an elderly dog) and the various activities that come with all of them on weekends. Finding a sitter for the day (although my Mom is great, but has to travel an hour to get to my house) is half the battle and I can't usually leave so early to get to the game.

I think the lot where you park is the site of a weekly tailgate party run by friends of ours (is the lot a steep drop off to a building below the road?). We are always invited but have made it there only a couple of times. We have never tried 495 because it seems like too big a loop from Nashua, plus we usually pick up our friends in Burlington on the way down, but maybe it's time to think outside the box (or the loop). Have fun at the game!

 

[weswelker#83]

I would park the car in South Boston (2 huge parking lots by the World trade center) , the lots are empty on week ends . They are about 10 minutes walk to South Station , located 2 minutes drive from I 93 exit , purchase st/ South station exit. Price 10$

RED = South Station
Green = Parking space

 

[102 Pat]

I've seen 3 Pats games and took the train the first few times. First time, I had enough time to get off the train, get in the stadium, hit the Pro Shop up and make it to my seat.

Second time, my wife and I had to rush to get to our seats and sat down just before the introductions. Mind you that time, as one point the train seemingly stopped for about 15 minutes for no real reason. It's seems to be a hit or miss.

 

[PatsDeb]

I would park the car in South Boston (2 huge parking lots by the World trade center) , the lots are empty on week ends . They are about 10 minutes walk to South Station , located 2 minutes drive from I 93 exit , purchase st/ South station exit. Price 10$

Thanks Wes. Do you think you'll be playing this weekend?

 

[LuckyGandolff3x]

This is about the time of the thread where I remind people of what I would give up just to be 4 hours away from Foxboro...

What he said