The Trick to East Coast Travel Without a Car
I draft this post on a hard plastic bench in Boston the Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend. I'm returning to campus from a trip to Hyannis, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. The atrium of South Station Bus Terminal is particularly lively with mosquito-buzz conversations and post-holiday travel delirium. I consider this liminal space the delta of East Coast public transport for Dartmouth students without a car, like myself—despite Dartmouth being on the periphery of the broader Northeast region.
As a rural student, I had no exposure to bus, train, or subway systems before coming to college. Navigating public transportation, in general, was unfamiliar and daunting. However, Dartmouth's access to major transportation hubs across New England eased the learning curve.
The trick to traversing the area without a car? The Dartmouth Coach: the most practical starting point for students to get from Hanover to the rest of the East Coast. Departing from Rauner Special Collections Library every hour, the Coach travels to two major cities: Boston and New York City. The Coach to Boston follows a route that stops at South Station and Logan Airport, while the Coach to New York City arrives in Midtown Manhattan.
The rides are straightforward and reliable, with durations ranging from three hours to five hours, depending on the target location. Because of its convenience and added amenities—comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and overhead screens for movies—the Dartmouth Coach has become the go-to option for students planning a quick day trip or weekend getaway from campus.
Dartmouth Coach tickets are relatively affordable and vary based on destination (e.g. South Station tickets are $35 one-way, while New York City tickets are $95 one-way). And although the Coach isn't free for Dartmouth students, the Financial Aid Office provides one complimentary one-way Coach ride for low-income students at the end of each term.

On any given day during an interim period, you'll find me on the Coach from Hanover to South Station. From there, I've learned how to navigate the Commuter Rail to Cape Cod, the Amtrak to Providence, and the Red Line to Somerville—all with the first step being a trip on the Dartmouth Coach.