Kempner Institute Community Logo Community
Kempner Institute Community Logo Community Harvard Shield

Getting to Know Harvard

Harvard University is comprised of three main campuses: Allston, Cambridge and Boston (also called Longwood). You can explore all three campuses on the Harvard Map.

The Kempner Institute is housed in the Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) on the Allston campus, which is located across the river from the Cambridge campus. The Allston campus includes:

The Longwood campus, located in central Boston, is an international center for biomedical research and medical education that is home to:

The Cambridge campus is home to many of the University’s undergraduate and graduate programs, and includes:

Many central administrative units, including:

Getting Around

There are several options for traveling between Harvard’s three campuses. Please note that the Kempner Institute often offers a shuttle from Longwood to Allston for Kempner Seminar Series events. Check the community calendar for details.

  • Shuttle: The M2 Cambridge-Harvard Shuttle transports riders between Harvard Square and the LMA via the Massachusetts Avenue corridor with stops at Central Square and MIT in Cambridge. You can check the live map to track the shuttle in real time.
  • MBTA: The MBTA offers train and bus services throughout the Longwood Area. The best travel options are listed below. Please visit the mbta.com to plan your route. The MBTA also offers mobile apps and a service alerts notification system for real-time service updates and transit information.
    • Via Subway:
      • Green Line D train — Take train to Longwood station. From station, turn left on to Chapel Street and walk up short hill to Longwood Avenue. Turn left on to Longwood Avenue.
      • Green Line E train — Take train to Longwood Medical Area station. From here, proceed down Longwood Avenue towards the hospitals. Harvard Medical School is about a 5 minute walk from the Longwood Medical Area Station and will be on your left.
    • Via Bus:
      • No. 47 between Central Square, Cambridge and Broadway via LMA and Ruggles Station (Commuter Rail, Orange Line). LMA stops: along Avenue Louis Pasteur, Longwood Avenue, and Brookline Avenue. Buses arrive every 20 minutes during rush hour.
      • No. 66 between Dudley Square and Harvard Square via LMA (Brigham Circle), Brookline Village and Allston. LMA stops: Brigham Circle. Buses arrive every 10 minutes during rush hour.
      • No. CT2 (Crosstown) between Kendall Square, MIT (Cambridge) and Ruggles Station via LMA. LMA stops: Brookline Avenue, Longwood Avenue, and Ruggles Street. Buses arrive every 20 minutes during rush hour.

Housing

  • Harvard University Housing (HUH) offers housing and real estate services to the University’s graduate students, faculty, and employees.
  • HUH has about 3,000 units ranging from studios to four bedrooms, all located conveniently near Harvard’s graduate and professional schools.

  • Harvard University Housing maintains a portfolio of residences available for full-time faculty, graduate students and staff to rent throughout the year.
  • Harvard University Housing tenants may sublet their apartments to eligible Harvard affiliates.

Commuting

  • Harvard Transportation & Parking offers information about everything from parking and commuting to accessing Harvard transportation benefits.
  • Harvard’s Commuter Choice program provides commuting information and planning services for Harvard affiliates who work in the Cambridge Allston/Brighton campuses.

  • Harvard offers shuttle services throughout Cambridge/Allston campuses (please note there is currently no Harvard shuttle service between Allston and Longwood).
  • Driving between Allston and Longwood typically takes approximately 10 minutes when using ridesharing apps.

  • The bicycle commuter benefit allows bike commuters to receive a $30/month (maximum $360/year) post-tax reimbursement against costs associated with bicycle purchase, improvement, repair and storage.
  • There is a biking map available of Harvard bike racks and routes.

Blue Bike Share Program

  • Using Blue Bikes, you can travel across Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville, and Watertown on publicly shared bikes.
  • Bikes can be returned to any of the hundreds of stations across the network including the 14 supported by Harvard.
  • Harvard affiliates are eligible for a discounted Bluebikes Annual Membership for only $98.

Dining

We follow CADM policy for reimbursements including limits for meals.

Lunch options

General resources

Fun Things to Do

  • Harvard Outings & Innings provides various perks and discounts to Harvard employees, including tickets and discounts to movies, museums, sports games, and more.