Skip the Ted Williams tunnel and park at Woburn instead
Logan Express Woburn runs intercity coaches from a dedicated lot off I‑93/Route 128 to all terminals at Boston Logan (A, B, C, E), giving North Shore and northern suburb travelers a park‑and‑ride option that avoids airport parking rates. The coach uses the airport road system and loops past each terminal, so you stay on until your stop is called.
The Woburn Logan Express facility sits near the I‑93/95 (128) interchange, separate from the MBTA Anderson/Woburn commuter rail station, so you cannot just step off a Lowell Line train and onto the coach without a short walk or separate ride. Coaches run at regular intervals throughout the day, with extra departures layered in the typical 6:00–9:00 a.m. business window that Burlington and Reading travelers like for morning flights.
Tickets are sold as single fares between Woburn and Logan; adult pricing undercuts on‑airport parking by a wide margin once your trip is longer than 2–3 days, and kids often ride at reduced rates on posted family policies. Parking at the Woburn lot is charged per calendar day, and regulars start to see savings versus Logan garages after the first overnight.
Onboard, coaches are standard highway buses with individual seats, overhead luggage racks, and underfloor bays large enough for full‑size checked bags and ski bags, which North Shore families use during February vacation. The ride from Woburn to Logan can be under 25 minutes in light traffic but easily stretches past 45–60 minutes when I‑93 backs up near Medford or the tunnel.
Locals warn that I‑93 traffic is volatile; a minor crash near Somerville can delay multiple departures in the 4:00–7:00 p.m. band, so some riders check traffic apps before picking which coach to catch. A few seasoned users even pad their schedule by one earlier bus if they see red lines between Woburn and the Zakim Bridge.
Holiday weeks like Thanksgiving and around December 23–26 push the Woburn parking lot close to capacity, according to regular posters on Boston forums. During those peaks, travelers report circling for a space for 10–15 minutes and recommend arriving at least one full coach earlier than usual.
The main complaints: late‑night service thins out after about midnight, which stings if your flight to Terminal E rolls in at 12:30 a.m., and drivers leave exactly on the scheduled minute. Forums have several stories of people watching their coach pull away from the curb while they walk out of baggage claim at Terminal B.
North‑of‑Boston flyers say they still pick Woburn Logan Express over driving to Logan even with only a carry‑on, because the combined coach plus traffic buffer feels more predictable than fighting for spots in Logan’s central garage. Build at least one extra departure of cushion on the way to the airport, especially for morning bank flights out of Terminals A and C.
Practical tip: check live traffic on I‑93 before you leave home, then aim to board one coach earlier than your minimum plan; treat the Logan Express schedule as hard departure times, not suggestions.