Visiting MIT is an exciting and educational experience. Since its founding in 1865, it has been combining student education with basic research. This continues to be MIT's primary purpose today.
The University consists of six schools: Architecture and Planning, Engineering Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Management, Science and College of Health Sciences and Technology.
A visit to MIT will immerse you into its storied history, its world-famous research and its first class academic infrastructure.
Registered Tours
If you are a prospective student, a registered campus visit is a good idea. As a registered visitor you will be able to participate in an information session, followed by a guided campus tour led by an undergraduate student. More information about registration
Self-Guided Tours
You can visit MIT on your own without being registered. This is particularly helpful if you are unable to register in time, or if you come outside of standard visiting hours. The online map linked below will take you on a comprehensive tour of MIT, including laboratories, academic buildings, dorms, galleries and libraries. Some buildings can be entered during business hours, including the MIT Welcome Center, MIT Medical, the Stratton Student Center, and athletic facilities. Click here to get started
Virtual Tours
Virtual Tours of MIT are comprehensive and offer an expansive view of studying and living at MIT. There's so much helpful information, you should consider viewing it even if you plan to visit the campus. Click here to get started.
Useful Links
Visiting Boston Area Colleges - Overview
Find best places to stay near MIT here!
The Welcome Center
The MIT Welcome Center is the starting point of any visit. You can get useful information about MIT, including a campus map and detailed guidance about visiting MIT. The welcome center has helpful facilities including bathrooms, Wifi and power outlets. The center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding MIT holidays and Institute closures.
The Welcome center is Located at 292 Main Street in Kendall Square, next to the Kendall/MIT MBTA subway station.
MIT Tours
This tour is for prospective students and includes a campus tour led by a student, preceded by an information session with an admissions officer. You will get to know MIT and find out about many interesting facts, important figures, famous traditions and world-changing ideas. Registration is required.
Virtual Tours of MIT are comprehensive and offer an expansive view of studying and living at MIT.
MIT List Arts Center - Public Art Tours
Options: In-Person, Self-Guided, App)
The List Visual Arts Center is a creative laboratory that provides artists with a space to freely experiment and push existing boundaries. For In-person tours, registration is required 2 weeks ahead of visit.
Options: In-Person, Self-Guided
A tour of the largest of MIT’s five schools. The School of Engineering comprises about 70 percent of the Institute’s undergraduate majors and 45 percent of graduate students. Registration required.
MIT Sloan School of Management
Options: Virtual
Frequently Asked Questions
When to Visit MIT
Registered visits and guided tours are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Please note that the visit schedule is typically posted one month prior to each semester. There are no in-person tours during most school breaks including MIT holidays and Institute closures. Visits are available during the summer months in June and July. For more information about visiting schedules
Where to stay
Find best places to stay near MIT here!
How to get to MIT
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Subway: From any terminal at Logan Airport, take the Silver Line bus to South Station. At South Station, change to the Red Line subway to Kendall/MIT (inbound toward Alewife). The ride should take about 30 minutes and is free.
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Bus: The 64, 68, and 85 lines stop near the MIT Welcome Center. The #1 bus stops on Massachusetts Avenue, about a 15-minute walk from the Welcome Center.
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Shuttle: The EZ Ride shuttle runs to and from Boston’s North Station, with stops at Kendall Square and around MIT’s campus (Note: EZRide is not operated by the MBTA; fare is $2 cash per trip).
From Logan Airport
- Taxi or rideshare: Taxi fare from the airport is about $35–$40, and a rideshare service can range from about $25-$35 and should take about 15-30 minutes based on traffic.
- Subway: From any terminal at Logan Airport, take the Silver Line bus to South Station. At South Station, change to the Red Line subway to Kendall/MIT (inbound toward Alewife). The ride should take about 30 minutes.
Amtrak
South Station, Boston, is the closest train station. South Station is served by the MBTA Red Line, which connects to MIT at the MIT/Kendall stop.
At South Station, change to the Red Line subway to Kendall/MIT (inbound toward Alewife). The ride should take about 30 minutes.
Parking
Parking in Cambridge and Boston can be hard to find and expensive. Whenever possible, park where you’re staying and use public transportation or a taxi/rideshare service. If you must drive to the campus, on- and off-street parking is available for a fee, but most public parking is not very close to the center of campus. More parking information is available from Parkopedia.
On Street Parking: Parking meters run from one to two hours, and will take quarters only..
