Newport is one of the easiest weekend escapes from Boston: about 70 miles, and usually around 1 hour 20 minutes by car without traffic. There’s no direct train, but you can get here car-free by bus or by commuter rail plus a local bus. Here’s how each option works, how long it takes and which one makes sense for your trip.
Boston to Newport at a Glance
| Option | Time | Runs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive | About 1 hr 20 min without traffic | Any time | Flexibility and day trips |
| Peter Pan bus | About 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr 20 min | Year-round, a few trips a day | Car-free, one seat |
| DATTCO nonstop bus | About 1 hr 45 min | Summer weekends | Summer car-free trips |
| Commuter rail + RIPTA 60 | About 2 hr 30 min | Daily | Cheapest option |
Driving from Boston to Newport
The usual route is I-93 South to Route 24 South through Fall River, then onto Route 138 across the Sakonnet River into Middletown and Newport. It’s roughly 70 miles. Plan for heavy traffic leaving Boston on Friday afternoons and coming back Sunday evenings in summer, when the trip can easily stretch past two hours.
Parking is the hard part in high season. The Newport Gateway Center garage on America’s Cup Avenue is the simplest downtown option, and in the off-season many meters and lots go free. See our free parking in Newport guide and Cliff Walk parking guide.
Bus from Boston to Newport
Peter Pan Bus Lines (year-round)
Peter Pan runs from Boston’s South Station bus terminal to the Newport Gateway Center at 23 America’s Cup Avenue, right downtown. Expect only a few trips a day, and not all are direct. Trip times range from about 1 hour 40 minutes on a direct bus to more than two hours with a connection, so check the schedule and book ahead on weekends.
DATTCO nonstop bus (summer)
Since 2024, Discover Newport and DATTCO have run a nonstop summer bus between South Station and downtown Newport on Fridays through Mondays. In 2025 it ran through September 30, cost about $30 each way, and took around 1 hour 45 minutes. Watch dattco.com/boston-newport for the 2027 season dates.
Train from Boston to Newport
There’s no train station in Newport, but you can combine a train and a bus:
- Take the MBTA Providence/Stoughton commuter rail line from South Station or Back Bay to Providence Station, roughly an hour.
- Walk about a third of a mile to Kennedy Plaza.
- Catch RIPTA Route 60 to the Newport Gateway Center. It runs frequently, about every 30 minutes on weekdays, and the ride is about an hour.
It’s the cheapest way to make the trip, especially on weekends, when the MBTA sells an all-day weekend commuter rail pass. Amtrak also runs Boston to Providence and is faster, but costs more. In summer, a seasonal Providence-to-Newport ferry is a scenic alternative to the bus. Our Providence to Newport guide covers that leg in detail.
Getting Around Once You Arrive
Both the Peter Pan bus and RIPTA drop you at the Gateway Center, a short walk from Thames Street and the wharves. From there, RIPTA local routes and the seasonal trolley reach the mansions and the Cliff Walk. If you’re staying downtown, you won’t need a car; see our downtown Newport hotels and Thames Street hotels.
Which Option Should You Pick?
- Day trip: drive, so you can hit the Cliff Walk, the mansions and dinner on your own schedule.
- Summer weekend without a car: the DATTCO nonstop bus when it’s running, otherwise Peter Pan.
- Tight budget: commuter rail to Providence plus RIPTA 60.
- Coming from New York instead? See our NYC to Newport train guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Newport, RI from Boston?
Newport is about 70 miles south of Boston, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car without traffic.
Is there a train from Boston to Newport, RI?
Not directly. Take the MBTA commuter rail or Amtrak to Providence, then RIPTA bus Route 60 to downtown Newport.
Is there a direct bus from Boston to Newport?
Peter Pan runs year-round from South Station to the Newport Gateway Center, and DATTCO runs a nonstop bus on summer weekends.
What is the cheapest way to get from Boston to Newport?
Commuter rail to Providence plus RIPTA Route 60 is usually cheapest, especially with the MBTA weekend pass.