FAQ: Visitors

Where can I park?

Parking in Cambridge can be challenging: it’s both expensive and hard to find. Visitors should not count on finding a metered space in the immediate area, but some public parking may be available in local garages. Please also visit MIT’s parking page.

**TRAFFIC ALERT, Summer 2017**: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is conducting a major project. The Commonwealth Avenue Bridge will be removed and replaced, work that will have a rippling impact on the Mass Pike, surface vehicular traffic, and trains in the Boston area. Visitors are urged not to underestimate the impact of this work. Please see MassDOT for the complete schedule of road closures.

Is there a campus map online? 

Yes: you can view the interactive campus map. Please also review the visitors’ pages for additional information about planning a trip to MIT.

How can I take a tour of campus?

The Office of Admissions conducts information sessions followed by student-led campus tours for prospective students and families every Monday through Friday, excluding federal, Massachusetts, and Institute holidays and the winter break period (see the MIT academic calendar). Information sessions begin at 10 am and 2 pm; the campus tour immediately follows. Reservations are requested and groups of 10 or more are required to complete the group registration process in advance. Sessions and tours are not held when the campus is closed. Visitors are advised to check the MIT Alert page or call 617-253-SNOW (7669) to ensure that the Institute is open and operating as usual.

I’m not a prospective student. What tour options are available?

MIT visitors who are interested in taking a campus tour are welcome to contact MIT Admissions. Space-permitting, visitors may join one of the student-led campus tours for prospective students and their families, which are offered by the Office of Admissions. Tours take place immediately after information sessions for prospective students (see more information about campus tour times and calendar exclusions), and visitors will be informed where and when to join up with the tour group. Please stop by the Office of Admissions, room 10-100, the day of your visit. 

Prefer to explore campus on your own schedule? Take a self-guided walking tour by downloading our map. Hard copies of the self-guided walking tour are also available in the Events and Information Center, room 7-121. 

Do you offer tours for architects?

Although we do not offer tours for architects, the LIST Visual Art Center website provides an interactive map of the MIT Public Art Collection, including architecturally significant buildings.

I’m interested in touring the Media Lab/Physics/other department. How do I make arrangements?

Please see the Office of Admissions visiting information or contact the individual department in which you are interested directly. The MIT Offices and Services Directory will help you locate contact information.

What is the nearest airport?

Logan International Airport serves the Boston area.

What is the nearest train (AMTRAK) station?

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.

What is the nearest subway stop?

The Kendall Square/MIT stop on the MBTA Red Line is the closest subway. The MIT campus is also served by several bus routes; visit the MBTA website for times and schedules.

I misplaced an item on campus! Do you have a lost and found?

If you’ve lost something on campus, we recommend that you first check the location where you last remember being in possession of the item. It’s possible that it is still there.

If this proves unsuccessful and the item is of value (i.e., laptops, jewelry, wallets, keys, cell phones), please contact MIT Police (617-253-2996). Members of the MIT community are instructed to notify the MIT Police immediately if they find an item of value, so it’s possible—but not guaranteed—that the MIT Police may be in possession of your item.

Unfortunately, there is no central repository for lost items of lesser value, such as gloves and hats. We recommend that you retrace your steps and check the location where you think you may have left the item. You may also stop by the Events and Information Center (7-121) to see if somebody dropped off the item at the front desk, which happens on occasion.