Boston Service
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Boston Service *
service details to Boston
Availability: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Departure Time and Pick-Up Locations:
Pick-Up #1: 6:00 a.m. Albany
Pet Smart Crossgates Commons, 161 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12205
Pick-Up #2: 6:30 a.m. Rensselaer
Yankee Trails, 569 Third Avenue Extension, Rensselaer, NY 12144
Destination: Boston, Massachusettes
Destination Arrival Time: TBD
Destination Departure Time and Pick-Up Location:
5:30 p.m. Brookline Ave. & Jimmy Fund Way
Please be advised that The Flutter Express is not responsible for traffic delays.
our Boston destination
Brookline Ave & Jimmy Fund Way
Also known as The Longwood Medical Area
Near:
Please note: To ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience, we kindly recommend that passengers schedule appointments after 10:00 a.m. and before 4:00 p.m., particularly if your appointment is not located near our designated drop-off point.
special discounts, travel reimbursement options & free ride opportunities on The Flutter Express
Thanks to our incredible partnerships with organizations like the American Cancer Society and To Life!, eligible passengers receive a discounted round-trip fare of just $83.81 (including the 8% service fee) for any and all rides throughout 2025.
In addition, some passengers may qualify for free transportation through our expanding network of nonprofit collaborators and community sponsors. These programs are designed to ease the financial burden of accessing critical care.
Depending on the type of grant or insurance coverage, travel on The Flutter Express may be reimbursable—particularly for non-emergency medical transportation. We encourage you to check with your grant issuer or insurance provider to see if travel assistance is included in your benefits.
Visit our Collaborators Page to learn more about our current partners and how to access these savings and support programs.
inner-city travel resources for Boston healthcare seekers
If you are traveling on The Flutter Express to access locations that provide specialized medical care, we are honored to support you on this journey.
While our drop-off point in Boston is conveniently located near several leading Boston medical institutions—including Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s, —we understand that some passengers may require transportation to other facilities, such as Mass General Hospital, or other healthcare centers throughout the city.
In addition to Uber, Lyft, and taxis, there are several other transportation options available for patients and caregivers traveling to and from the Longwood Medical Area:
Public Transportation
MBTA Bus Routes that serve the Longwood Medical Area include:
Route 8 – Connects Harbor Point/UMass and Kenmore Square via Boston Medical Center and Ruggles Station
Route 19 – Operates between Fields Corner and Kenmore Square
Route 39 – Runs along Huntington Avenue between Forest Hills and Back Bay Station
Route 47 – Connects Central Square (Cambridge) to Broadway Station via the Longwood area
Routes 60 and 65 – Serve Chestnut Hill, Kenmore Square, and Brighton Center via Brookline Avenue
Routes CT2 and CT3 (Crosstown) – Connect Kendall Square, Ruggles Station, and Longwood
MBTA Green Line Subway
Longwood Station (Green Line D branch)
Brigham Circle Station (Green Line E branch)
Shuttle Services
The Longwood Collective Shuttles (formerly MASCO) operate throughout the Longwood Medical Area and provide connections to Harvard’s Cambridge campus and nearby transit stations. These are typically available to medical area staff, students, and affiliated visitors.
Paratransit Services
The RIDE, operated by the MBTA, is a door-to-door paratransit service for eligible individuals with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route public transit. It's a helpful option for patients needing accessible transportation.
Walking & Biking
The Longwood Medical Area is pedestrian-friendly, and many hospitals are within walking distance of each other. Bluebikes, Boston’s bike-sharing program, also has stations nearby for those who prefer to travel by bike.
Patients needing personalized assistance with navigating these options can often get help through their hospital’s concierge or patient services departments.
Transportation Assistance: Our collaborators, including the American Cancer Society and the NYOH Community Cancer Foundation, may offer financial support to help cover inner-city travel costs for eligible patients. We encourage you to connect with these organizations directly or speak with your healthcare provider to explore available assistance.
The inner-city transportation resources listed above are provided for informational purposes only. The Flutter Express is not affiliated with these services and is not responsible for their availability, operations, or service quality. We encourage all riders to independently verify transportation options and make arrangements that best suit their needs.
amenities
Onboard bathroom
Free WIFI
Leather/Cloth Seating
Tray Tables
Adjustable Seats
Overhead Passenger Air Vents
Overhead Passenger Lighting
Window Shades
Overhead Storage Racks
Undercarriage Storage
4-6 HD Video Monitors
complimentary services
16oz Bottled Water (two per round trip)
Snack each way (two per round trip)
Download our April Snack Menu
Flutter Kit
one single use hand sanitizer gel
two ginger-lemon chews
one hydration packet
one pair of disposable ear plugs
one disposable eye mask
one disposable face mask
one emesis bag
one individually wrapped disposable towelette
one travel package of facial tissues
Kid’s Flutter Kit (for kids 14yrs and younger)
one single use hand sanitizer gel
Stuffed animal – A cuddly companion for the ride
two organic lollipops
one snack sized organic gummies or fruit snacks
one kids hydration packet
one disposable face mask
one emesis bag
one coloring book with crayons
one individually wrapped disposable towelette
one travel package of facial tissues
Movie or Game of Bingo on the ride home!
parking
Park your car for free at Yankee Trails, Pets Mart in Crossgates Commons, or the Catskill Commuter Lot at Exit 21 on the NYS Thruway, and jump on the 56-passenger coach bus for your direct ride to New York City!
Parking at all locations is at your own risk. The Flutter Express, as well as each departure location, cannot assume liability for loss or damaged personal property.
accommodations
If you need a place to stay the night before or after your roundtrip to New York City, the following hotels near our Albany, NY pick-up location—PetSmart Crossgates Commons (161 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12205)—are offering 10% off for Flutter Express passengers.
Click the links below to book your stay and receive the discount:
Tru Albany Crossgates Mall
Book your special rate for The Flutter Express
Company Name: The Flutter Express
Residence Inn Albany Washington Ave
Book your special rate for The Flutter Express
Company Name: The Flutter Express
who can ride?
anyone can purchase a ticket to ride!
The Flutter Express was created with compassion and purpose to help those who need access to locations with world-renowned healthcare institutions outside of the Capital Region. Our service is designed to offer comfort, dignity, and ease to passengers.
While healthcare seekers and their family members, companions, and supportive community members are our primary riders, extended community members are welcome to travel with us at this time. We encourage anyone who values kindness and community to join us.
a community of compassionate travelers.
Healthcare Seekers, individuals who are on a health journey that may be looking for treatment, second opinions, or specialized care at leading healthcare institutions.
Companions or Family Members providing support to healthcare seekers during healthcare journeys.
Community Members who want to visit someone in care or offer their support during challenging times.
Extended Community Members, anyone looking to travel comfortably and stress-free—whether for entertainment or general commuting purposes.
The Flutter Express is more than just a way to get from point A to point B—it’s Transportation with Purpose. With every ticket purchased, you’re helping both yourself and members of your community as they access locations that provide the care they need. Whether you're heading to a doctor's appointment or visiting a loved one in care, The Flutter Express provides reliable, convenient, and stress-free transportation, empowering our customers to prioritize their health.
supporting the mission while you travel
If you're traveling on The Flutter Express not to access care yourself, but to support our mission, thank you for riding with purpose. Your presence helps make this service possible for patients and caregivers who rely on access to world-class medical care in Boston. While you're in the city, we invite you to explore the rich cultural and historic attractions near the Longwood Medical Area. Just a short walk from your drop-off point, you can visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the iconic Fenway Park. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the Back Bay Fens or grab a bite to eat at the Longwood Galleria or nearby cafes.
Whether you’re supporting a loved one or simply standing with our mission, your choice to ride with us helps make every journey a little lighter for someone in need. Thank you.
FAQs
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The Flutter Express was created with compassion and purpose to help those who need access to locations with world-renowned healthcare institutions outside of the Capital Region. Our service is designed to offer comfort, dignity, and ease to passengers.
While healthcare seekers and their family members, companions, and supportive community members are our primary riders, extended community members are welcome to travel with us at this time. We encourage anyone who values kindness and community to join us.
Who rides The Flutter Express?
A community of compassionate travelers:
Healthcare Seekers, individuals who are on a health journey that may be looking for treatment, second opinions, or specialized care at leading healthcare institutions.
Companions or Family Members providing support to healthcare seekers during healthcare journeys.
Community Members who want to visit someone in care or offer their support during challenging times.
Extended Community Members, anyone looking to travel comfortably and stress-free—whether for entertainment or general commuting purposes.
The Flutter Express is more than just a way to get from point A to point B—it’s Transportation with Purpose. With every ticket purchased, you’re helping both yourself and members of your community as they access locations that provide the care they need. Whether you're heading to a doctor's appointment or visiting a loved one in care, The Flutter Express provides reliable, convenient, and stress-free transportation, empowering our customers to prioritize their health.
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Simply visit our Get New York Tickets or Get Boston Tickets page and select your preferred travel date to book your ride.
Select Your Travel Date – Browse the available dates and click on your preferred date.
After Clicking Your Date, You'll Be Redirected to Eventbrite – There, you can review trip details and ticket options.
Complete Your Purchase – Follow the prompts to enter passenger information and payment details.
Receive Your Confirmation – After booking, you’ll get a confirmation email with your ticket and travel details.
Get Ready for Your Journey – Arrive at the designated departure location on time with your electronic or printed ticket, and enjoy a smooth ride with The Flutter Express!
Need assistance? Contact us at 518-217-5121 or travel@theflutterexpress.com for support.
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You can park at any of our departure pick-up locations in Rensselaer, Albany, or Catskill, NY. Parking at all departure pick-up locations is at your own risk. NOTE: The Catskill location does NOT permit multi-day parking. The Flutter Express will not be responsible for any fees incurred.
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Yes. If you need a place to stay the night before or after your roundtrip to New York City, the following hotels near our Albany, NY pick-up location—PetSmart Crossgates Commons (161 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12205)—are offering 10% off for Flutter Express passengers.
Click the links below to book your stay and receive the discount:
Tru Albany Crossgates Mall
Book your special rate for The Flutter Express
Company Name: The Flutter Express
Residence Inn Albany Washington Ave
Book your special rate for The Flutter Express
Company Name: The Flutter Express
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The Flutter Express is not responsible for traffic delays. Due to traffic conditions and other factors in New York City and Boston, we may need to adjust drop-off or pick-up locations within the city. However drop-off and pick-up will always be as close as possible to our original destination. We are committed to ensuring the best service possible and appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
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Yes, you can! To travel one way, simply purchase a round-trip ticket and note in the "special notes" section of the ticket order form that you'll be using the service one way to your destination.
If you’d like to schedule a separate pick-up for your return journey on a different day, please purchase a round-trip ticket for that specific date. Be sure to mention your one-way return only in the "special notes" section and select the return point where you’d like us to drop you off from the "pick-up" menu in the order form.
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No, The Flutter Express is not a medical bus or ambulatory transportation vehicle. We provide comfortable, reliable transportation to your destination on 56-passenger motor coach buses (MCI J4500) through our partnership with Yankee Trails.
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Passengers are eligible for a full refund if they cancel more than four (4) days (96 hours) prior to departure, regardless of the reason. Please note, the Eventbrite fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Cancellations made within four (4) days of departure are not eligible for a refund.
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On the day of your departure, please have your electronic or printed ticket available in order to board the bus.
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Yes. The Flutter Express requires 29 passengers for operation. Riders will be notified 48 hours in advance if the service is confirmed for departure. If The Flutter Express cancels service, all riders will receive a full refund to their original payment method.
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If you are traveling with us to visit New York City for entertainment purposes, please visit the New York City Visitors Bureau website. NYC Visitors Guides can be be requested for FREE by using the link provided to the NYC Visitors Bureau.
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To use Wi-Fi while on a Yankee Trails bus, follow these steps:
1) Perform a network scan on your device.
2) Choose the network with your bus number value is included in the network name.
Do NOT choose the similar network which includes "- GUEST".3) When prompted, enter the PASSWORD: yankee01 (case sensitive)
Wi-Fi (wireless internet service) will be provided with limited connectivity, on a first come, first served basis. The streaming of any type of video file will be prohibited, please download videos to your device in advance of your ride if possible. The Flutter Express and Yankee Trails will not be responsible for connectivity issues preventing passengers from utilizing the wireless network. Wi-Fi service is not guaranteed.
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Yes, You can leave items on the bus during the roundtrip service. However Yankee Trails and The Flutter Express are not responsible for items lost, stolen, or damaged while on one of our roundtrip services. While the bus does remain locked, we highly recommend not leaving any valuables onboard.