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Guidelines for tour buses in Boston

Driving around Boston can be tricky. We have maps and information to help tour bus drivers find their way.

We marked off places around the City where you can drop off and pick up passengers, or park long term. The map shows tourist attractions and hotels in Boston, and includes helpful tips for drivers. Check out the tour bus parking guidelines and map.

We also have a pdf of the off-ramps from the highway in Boston that includes which street you end up on in the City.

Tour bus regulations

Tour bus stop sign

Exclusive tour bus stop (drop off and pick up)

At these spots, you have 15 minutes to load and unload passengers. You can’t let your engine idle for more than five minutes.

Tour bus parking sign

Exclusive tour bus stop (parking)

When you see this sign, you can park for up to three hours in the spot, but you can’t let your engine idle for more than five minutes.

TOUR BUSES CANNOT:
  • Keep the engine running while standing for more than five minutes. Unnecessary idling results in fines of up to $1,000.
  • Park at metered spots in the City. If you see a parking meter, don’t park there.
  • Stop, load, or unload passengers at commercial loading zones. These spots are only for businesses dropping off or picking up goods.

Tour bus map and layover parking

Additional resources

If you have more questions, or run into any trouble on the road, these resources can help:

CONTACT

NUMBER

CONTACT

Police, Fire, Ambulance (for emergencies)

NUMBER

911

CONTACT

BOS:311 (for non-emergency City services)

NUMBER

311

CONTACT

Transportation Department

NUMBER

617-635-4680

CONTACT

Arts and Culture

NUMBER

617-635-3911

CONTACT

Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau

NUMBER

617-536-4100

CONTACT

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

NUMBER

617-973-8500

CONTACT

Hynes Convention Center

NUMBER

617-424-8588

CONTACT

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

NUMBER

617-954-2400

CONTACT

Seaport World Trade Center

NUMBER

617-385-5000

CONTACT

Bayside Exposition Center

NUMBER

617-474-6000

CONTACT

National Park Service

NUMBER

617-223-5200

CONTACT

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Public transit)

NUMBER

617-222-3200

CONTACT

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

NUMBER

617-248-2800

CONTACT

Boston Autoport

NUMBER

617-242-2300

CONTACT

Greyhound Garage

NUMBER

617-464-4768

CONTACT

American Bus Association

NUMBER

1-800-283-2877

CONTACT

United Motorcoach Association

NUMBER

1-800-424-8262

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