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Citizens from 41 countries are eligible to enter Boston and other parts of the USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). These countries include 24 European Union (EU) member states such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Additionally, non-EU Schengen Area countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also included. From the Asia-Pacific region, Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan are eligible, alongside Chile from the Americas and Israel from the Middle East. Further, small European principalities like Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the United Kingdom are also part of the VWP. To travel under this program, citizens must obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling and can stay for up to 90 days for business or tourism purposes. This streamlined entry process is expected to significantly boost tourism in the USA, as it facilitates easier access for millions of travelers from these diverse nations, enhancing cultural exchange and economic benefits for the country. President Biden has been supportive of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and its role in promoting tourism and economic growth in the United States. Logan International Airport (BOS) in East Boston, Massachusetts, is the major airport serving Boston and the New England area, handling both domestic and international flights. Hanscom Field (BED) in Bedford, Massachusetts, primarily serves general aviation and military flights, and is also used for corporate and private aviation. Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) in Worcester, Massachusetts, serves domestic flights, offering an alternative to Logan International Airport. Major airlines operating in Boston include American Airlines, offering extensive domestic and international flights with routes to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo; Delta Air Lines, one of the largest US airlines, providing services to Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Paris, and Amsterdam; JetBlue Airways, known for low-cost fares and customer service, with routes to Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, the Caribbean, and Latin America; United Airlines, offering comprehensive flights to Newark, Houston, Denver, Frankfurt, and Tokyo; Southwest Airlines, focusing on domestic flights to Baltimore, Dallas, and Orlando; Alaska Airlines, with strong West Coast presence and routes to Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, and Mexico; British Airways, providing international flights to London; Air Canada, offering flights to Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver; Lufthansa, with routes to Frankfurt and Munich; and Emirates, offering long-haul flights to Dubai. Boston’s rail services are operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Amtrak. The MBTA Commuter Rail services the Greater Boston area and outlying suburbs, with key stations including South Station, North Station, and Back Bay Station. Major lines include the Framingham/Worcester Line, Fitchburg Line, Providence/Stoughton Line, Lowell Line, and Haverhill Line. Trains generally operate from early morning until late evening, with schedules available on the MBTA website and the MBTA mTicket app. Amtrak provides intercity rail services along the Northeast Corridor and beyond, with key stations at South Station and Back Bay Station. Major routes include the Acela Express, Northeast Regional, and Downeaster, connecting Boston to cities such as Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Portland, Maine.

European Union (EU) Countries

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Croatia
4. Czech Republic
5. Denmark
6. Estonia
7. Finland
8. France
9. Germany
10. Greece
11. Hungary
12. Ireland
13. Italy
14. Latvia
15. Lithuania
16. Luxembourg
17. Malta
18. Netherlands
19. Poland
20. Portugal
21. Slovakia
22. Slovenia
23. Spain
24. Sweden

Non-EU Schengen Area Countries

25. Iceland
26. Liechtenstein
27. Norway
28. Switzerland

Asia-Pacific Countries

29. Australia
30. Brunei
31. Japan
32. New Zealand
33. Singapore
34. South Korea
35. Taiwan

Americas

36. Chile

Middle East

37. Israel

Additional Countries

38. Andorra
39. Monaco
40. San Marino
41. United Kingdom

Requirements

• Citizens of these countries must obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling.
• The stay is limited to 90 days for business or tourism purposes.

Airports

Airlines

Rail Services in Boston

Boston has a comprehensive rail service network operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Amtrak. Below are the details of the rail services, routes, stations, and schedules.

MBTA Commuter Rail

The MBTA Commuter Rail services the Greater Boston area and outlying suburbs, with major lines operating from key stations:

Key Stations:

• South Station: Main hub for most commuter rail lines and Amtrak services.
• North Station: Serves the northern suburbs and Amtrak Downeaster.
• Back Bay Station: Located in the Back Bay area, serves multiple lines and Amtrak.

Main Lines and Destinations:

• Framingham/Worcester Line: Runs from South Station to Worcester.
• Fitchburg Line: Runs from North Station to Fitchburg.
• Providence/Stoughton Line: Runs from South Station to Providence and Stoughton.
• Lowell Line: Runs from North Station to Lowell.
• Haverhill Line: Runs from North Station to Haverhill.

Timings and Scheduling:

• Commuter rail schedules vary by line, with peak and off-peak services. Trains generally operate from early morning until late evening.
• Detailed schedules and real-time updates are available on the website and the MBTA mTicket app.
• Fares range from $2.40 to $13.25 depending on the travel zones.

Amtrak Services

Amtrak provides intercity rail services connecting Boston to various destinations along the Northeast Corridor and beyond.

Key Stations:

• South Station: Main terminal for Amtrak services, including Acela Express, Northeast Regional, and Lake Shore Limited.
• Back Bay Station: Serves as an additional stop for many Amtrak trains.

Major Routes:

• Acela Express: High-speed service between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in New York City and Philadelphia.
• Northeast Regional: Connects Boston to major cities along the Northeast Corridor, including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
• Downeaster: Operates from North Station to Portland, Maine, with several stops in between.

Top Touristy Places in Boston

Top Hotels in Boston

Top Destination Management Companies (DMCs) in Boston

How to Reach Boston Hotels

Most of the top hotels in Boston are easily accessible from Logan International Airport (BOS) via taxi, ride-sharing services, or public transportation. The Silver Line bus service (SL1) offers free transportation from the airport to South Station, which is close to many downtown hotels. Alternatively, you can use the MBTA subway system, with various lines serving different parts of the city where these hotels are located.