Harvard University

Visiting your child at Harvard means flying into Boston Logan (BOS), about 6 miles from the Cambridge campus. Boston Logan (BOS) is the international gateway. The MBTA - Boston's transit system, known as the 'T' - has five subway lines (Red, Green, Orange, Blue, Silver) plus buses and commuter rail. The free Silver Line SL1 bus runs from every airport terminal to South Station, with a free transfer to the Red Line. Pay with a CharlieCard. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from BOS to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview waits are long and vary sharply by consulate, so city choice matters - you may book at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.

• Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
• You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
• The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
• Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.

Just admitted to Harvard? Most Indian students enter on an F-1 academic visa (DS-160 fee $185 + SEVIS I-901 fee $350). J-1 is for exchange programs (SEVIS $220), M-1 for vocational study. Spouses/children come on F-2/J-2/M-2 dependent visas. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date. For Fall 2026, Indian F-1 applicants must interview at one of five US consulates in India.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Boston Logan (BOS) - ~6 miles from the Cambridge campus.
• The free Silver Line + Red Line to Harvard is the budget route (~$2.40); taxi is ~$35.
• Get a CharlieCard at a T station to ride the MBTA; the Red Line stops at Harvard Square.
• Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline.
• Carry your I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration.

Boston is one of the pricier US student cities, and housing drives the bill. Plan on roughly $1,800-2,800 a month all-in if you share and cook (about Rs.1.5-2.4 lakh). A local quirk worth knowing: most Boston leases start on September 1, so the whole city moves at once and the best rooms go months earlier - line up housing well ahead. Cooking at home, sharing on an MBTA line, and student discounts make the biggest difference.

Monthly cost of living in Cambridge (a student estimate)

That's roughly $22,000-32,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Boston is one of the more expensive US cities for housing, so most international students share an apartment or take on-campus housing. Apply early - demand is high and the best options go fast.

• Landlords often want proof of income (3x rent) and US credit history - international students usually need a guarantor or to pay several months upfront.
• Budget for high move-in costs: first month, last month, security deposit and (historically) a broker fee can total $8,000-12,000 upfront.
• Pick a neighbourhood on an MBTA line (Allston, Brighton, Somerville, Quincy) to cut both rent and commute.

Working part-time

On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.

Safety & student support

Boston is a major university city that is generally safe, but as anywhere, safety varies by neighbourhood and time of day. Campuses have their own security, emergency call systems and 24/7 escorts.

• University campuses run their own police/security, blue-light emergency phones and late-night walking or shuttle escorts - save the campus safety number in your phone.
• Student-heavy neighbourhoods (Allston, Brighton, Cambridge, Somerville) are well-populated and well-lit; use normal big-city awareness at night and travel with others.
• The MBTA is widely used and safe for normal hours; for late nights, rideshare is common. Research by neighbourhood, not just 'Boston' as a whole.

Indian community & food

Boston has a large Indian and South Asian student community across its many universities, so familiar food, groceries and student societies are easy to find.

Indian grocery stores

• Cheema Supermarket (562 Cambridge St, Allston) - desi groceries plus halal meat, right by the student neighbourhoods.
• Patel Brothers (351 Somerville Ave, Somerville) and Taj Mahal Desi Bazar nearby for a full Indian shop.
• India Quality and Dosa-spot grocers around Central Square, Cambridge for everyday staples near MIT/Harvard.

Student community

• Most Boston universities have active Indian/South Asian student associations and graduate-student groups that run Diwali, Holi and welcome events.
• The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) runs community and cultural events across the metro.

• Plenty of Indian restaurants around Central/Harvard Square (Cambridge), Allston and the South End for when you don't feel like cooking.

Cost & living figures for Cambridge last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.