Wow! 7AM. How unrealistic to expect teenagers to be able to function at all at that time. Anyway, while the subway is fully functioning at that time, I would take a taxi to BU, just so you don't have to leave at 6 or 6:15. With the cab, 6:40 or so should do it. Have the Inn folks schedule one for you. BTW, the Green Line is the U.S.'s oldest subway line, and it essentially is an underground trolley. It's pretty easy to negotiate.

AlanM

Thanks AlanM. I that helps with timing (alot)

Janet

You can take a look at the subway system at www.mbta.com to see how easy it is to negotiate. Just pay attention to end stops to determine which direction and in some cases which train to get on. It is nowhere near as complex as the NYC subway.

Janet,

The Clarendon Square Inn is nice and one that we recommend all the time. I can't recommend it for you however. It's not situated very well for getting to BU. Like Alan said, your best bet is to call a cab instead of taking the T. Calling a cab at that time of morning may be easier said then done. The cabs are usually quite busy handling the people coming to/from the airport and train stations at that time. You will get one, but don't expect it to show up in 5 minutes. The Inn is a good 10 minute walk to the Copley T stop where you would hop on the train to get to BU. If that doesn't matter than go for it. It's a nice place. I would suggest the ones mentioned already for easiest access for what your needs are. Another one that's very nice and much better located for you would be The Gryphon House. Just my two cents. Best of luck.

battgirl, you said:

<<They said that BU is just a few stops along the green line (whatever that actually means)>>

Literally what that means is that there are several lines of trains in the Boston subway system that go to different parts of the city, and those lines are color-coded. Even the trains are color-coded. A "Green line" train is literally painted green. A "Blue line" train to/from the airport is literally painted blue.

The "Green" line runs through the heart of the downtown section. It also runs directly in front of the Boston University campus.

Green line trains that run from downtown towards BU are lettered. You would want to get on a Green line "B" train to go to BU. The "B" is literally displayed on the front, and the side, of the train.

Green line trains that run from BU towards downtown don't have letters, instead they show their end destination, i.e., "Government Center" or "North Station", for instance.

Whether you are going to BU, or to downtown, understand that the Green line "B" trains run back and forth along the same route, a straight line, if you will.

Your easy mantra should be: stick to "B" trains to go to BU. Take any non-lettered green line train to return to downtown.

BTW, the Green line is the only one of the colors that has lettered trains, so you don't have to worry about taking "the wrong B train"....there's only one in the entire system.

Thank you so much for that simplified version of transporation. I am sure we can do this! It sounds like it is pretty user friendly!

Will007 - Thank you for your comments on Clarendon Square. I guess we are back to the drawing board. Anything else in WALKING DISTANCE to BU? I think getting there at rush hour will be a hassle on any type of motor transportation!

Janet

If you were to stay at Clarendon Square Inn, you would walk to the Copley T stop which is the green line. You would get on a green line "B" train and take it I believe it's about 4 stops to the BU Central stop where you would hop off. There's also a BU East stop right before that, but I think you would want the Central stop for orientation. Staying at the Gryphon or Abigayle, you would walk to BU in 5 minutes.

Oh and Gryphon is booked. I know that one is a good location!

And to add just a slightly further explanation:

The Green line has 4 different "lettered" lines (B,C, D, and E), serving different neighborhoods. The MBTA map literally shows how the lines diverge (usually at the Kenmore station) to branch out to different parts of the city. Only the E line doesn't go to Kenmore, it branches off at Copley station.

If, for instance, you chose not to stay downtown, but instead stay at one of those B&Bs in Brookline, you would take a Green line "C" train from downtown to go to Brookline. The "C" trains service most of Brookline.

If you didn't want to walk from Brookline to BU, you'd take any Green line non-lettered train to go from Brookline to downtown.....get off at Kenmore stop, and wait at Kenmore for a "B" train to arrive at Kenmore to take you along the BU route.

Kenmore station is very close to the BU campus, so you could also walk from there, rather than wait for a "B" train.