Page 186 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

184  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

and many downtown areas
allow parking in loading zones
on Sunday as well. Read
posted signs carefully. Parking
in a public lot or garage
can cost more than $10 per
hour or $40 per day, but it is
sometimes the only choice.
Valet parking is available at
some restaurants, hotels,
and malls for a fee.
In order to avoid traffic
congestion in the city center,
visitors may consider parking
near a “T” or bus stop in the
suburbs, and continuing
their journey into town by
Boston traffic by night with the Financial District in the background public transportation.
Driving Rules of the Road
Despite heavy traffic and The highway speed limit in Gas
restricted parking, having the Boston area is 55 mph Compared to much of the
your own vehicle in Boston (88 km/h) – much lower than rest of the world, gas (petrol)
can, at times, be an in many European countries. is less expensive in the U.S.
undeniable convenience. For In residential areas, the speed However, with the large
example, visiting some of the limit ranges from 20 to 35 mph engines that are often found
outlying sights of Boston (see (32–48 km/h). Near schools, in older American cars, any
Getting Out of Boston p185), it can be as low as 15 mph savings on fuel may be
which may be difficult to reach (24 km/h). It is important to partially offset. Gas comes in
by public transporta tion, is obey all signs or you will risk three grades: economy, super,
much easier with a car. Many getting a ticket. If you are and premium. There are many
U.S. visitors to the city arrive stopped by the police, be gas stations in and around
with their own cars, and courteous or you may face Boston, and they often have
overseas visitors can rent a larger fine. In addition, all self-service pumps. The gas
one quite easily. Even so, drivers are required to carry at these is often a few cents
driving in and around Boston a valid driver’s license and cheaper per gallon than at
requires patience, humor, registration documents for pumps with attendants.
reliable maps, good driving their vehicle.
skills, and the ability to read
the road swiftly and take Parking Breakdowns
decisive actions. In the unlucky event of a
Despite Boston’s Curbside parking is hard to breakdown, the best course
comparatively small size, its find at the most popular of action is to pull off the road
traffic can at times rival that locations, and during completely and put on
of much larger cities such as morning and afternoon the hazard lights to alert
Rome or New York. Boston rush hours curbside other drivers that you are
has far too many vehicles for parking is banned stationary. There are
its roads, and the city’s many altogether in some areas. emergency phones along
one-way streets can prove If you do manage to find some major interstate
confusing to every one except a space on the street, be highways, but in other
the locals, who will honk at sure to feed the meter, situations, it is best to
befuddled visitors. Road or you might face a hefty contact breakdown
construction is ubiquitous, as fine. Vehicles parked services or even the
Boston constantly upgrades near fire hydrants, police from land or cell
underground utilities. Use the alleyways, in spaces phones. In the event
Street Finder (see pp188–91) reserved for the “Tow Zone” of a break down, drivers
or another good map (the handicapped, or at sign of rental cars should
best show the direction of overland “T” and bus contact the car rental
one-way streets) to help you stops may be towed away, company first. Members of
get around. Also avoid the and you will be able to retrieve the American Automobile
rush hours of 8–9:30am and them only at considerable Association (AAA) can contact
4–6pm and plan your route cost and inconvenience. the association to have their
in advance so you can con- Parking at meters is free on car towed to the nearest
centrate on traffic. Sundays and public holidays, service station to be repaired.

184-185_EW_Boston.indd 184 09/01/17 12:15 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm