Fenway park on a budget

I updated this post for the 2017 Red Sox Season! You may like How to Find Cheap Red Sox Tickets and Game Day Parking with updated info! Go Sox!

Last year I wrote an in-depth post about saving money at Red Sox games, and I wanted to share a few tips and highlights for the 2015 Red Sox season for those visiting Fenway Park this year!

Cheap Boston Red Sox Tickets

There are many different ways to buy tickets for a Red Sox Game and to save money too. I do recommend buying tickets beforehand instead of at the gate because it is less hassle and you won’t save much (or if any) money.

Red Sox ticket prices actually vary depending on the game itself since the Red Sox have a tier-pricing system. Popular games (Yankees, weekends, etc.) have a higher face value than unpopular games (weekdays, cold months, etc.)

If you are looking for face value tickets, you can buy sox tickets directly through the Red Sox website. Remember to add ticket fees to the ticket amount. (Ticket fees are $4.50 per ticket and $7 per transaction, so for two tickets it would $16 in fees.)

You can find the 2015 Boston Red Sox Schedule for home games, ticket prices and more.

Here are some special red sox ticket deals and options:

Sometimes tickets through Third-Party sellers like Ace Tickets can be cheaper or similar to face value when you include ticket fees into the mix. The best value for Red Sox tickets really depend on the night and variables. Weather can also pay a huge factor in ticket prices, and they can change suddenly on third-party sites very quickly, for better or for worse.

Scalping is illegal in Massachusetts; however, there is a legal scalping zone at Gate C 90 minutes before the game. Also, the sale of tickets start 90 minutes before a game at Gate E and fans can wait up to 5 hours in line. However, game day tickets can be dicey, and it may not be the cheapest tickets available.

Cheap Eats Near Fenway Park

Just because beers are expensive in Fenway, doesn’t mean you can’t get an adult beverage for cheap near Fenway. You can also find cheap food near the ballpark before or after the game. You may just need to do some research beforehand since many bars and restaurants don’t advertise their promotions. To see every deal in depth, check out my Fenway Cheap Eats post from last year or my Boston Cheap Eats list if you are looking for food specials throughout the city that is updated often.

Yard House Happy Hour Chicken Fingers and Fries

It’s a poor picture, but these are delicious Chicken Fingers and Fries purchased at the Yard House before a Red Sox game last year. They have a Monday-Friday Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. daily and I placed my order before 6 p.m to get these for half off. The Happy Hour wasn’t advertised, but its not my first appetizer order from the Yard House ;) The best deals by Fenway are not typically advertised and you may find better deals the further you go.

Fenway Park Transportation Options

There are many ways to get to Fenway Park as mentioned in depth on my Where to Park for Cheap Near Fenway post. The best option can vary from person to person and also depends on where you are coming from.

Here are all your options:

Walking– Self-explanatory.

MBTAThe MBTA is a great (but very crowded) option, especially if you live near a station and/or already have a monthly pass. The T is $2.65 per ride per person with a paper ticket and $2.10 per ride with the plastic Charlie Card.MBTA Parking Garage rates and availability differ from station to station. However, parking ranges from $4-$7 depending on the garage.

Take the B, C or D Green Line to Kenmore (any except the E Line) and follow the signs to Fenway Park. If you are taking the commuter rail in from Metro West, the Framingham/Worcester Line stops at Yawkey Station. Commuter rail prices vary depending on location and distance.

MBTA Bus– There are multiple bus routes that have stops near Fenway Park and you can find them here.

Pedicab– Take a pedicab to a Red Sox game: A bicycle cab. Pedicab drivers work solely on tips, so make sure if you do take a Pedicab to the game, don’t save money by not tipping enough.

A Cab– This option will vary depending on where you are coming from. However, you can enter your estimated locations here to have an idea how much a cab will cost.

Lyft, Uber, Sidecar– Lyft, Sidecar and UberX are car sharing services that pride themselves with being cheaper than a taxi. However, they do have peak rates during high demand times, and can vary depending on demand, distance, etc. I like to have all three downloaded on my phone and then check availability.

  • Lyft: Free $10 credit when you sign up for car sharing app Lyft
  • Uber: Get a free ride (limits may apply) when you sign up for transportation app Uber
  • Sidecar: Use promo code KATE173 for a free $5 credit when you sign up for Sidecar!

Driving– The closer you are to Fenway Park, the more you will pay (and the more you may need to wait to get on the highway). If driving in is your best option, consider parking further away from the ballpark to save more money. Obviously, the cheapest option is finding a free street parking spot, but you definitely need a back-up plan unless you have a secret spot or tricks.

  • Meter Parking: This can be risky, but can be an inexpensive option, especially for night games. Parking further away from the ballpark may give you more options and make sure to read parking meter signs for restrictions and timing. For some specific ideas of where to looking for spots, check out this post here, however, I am assuming a lot of these spots fill up fast! Note: Starting this season, if you park in a residential spot in Fenway/Kenmore without a sticker, the parking fee is $100 during game days.
  • Prudential Center: $17 with Red Sox Ticket Stub during Night and Weekend Games; Approximately .75 miles from Fenway
  • MFA: MFA Members can receive discount parking at the MFA garage. $13 after 5:30pm for members only. Approx .9 miles from Fenway.
  • Garage at 100 Clarendon: Apparently the Official Parking Garage of the Boston Red Sox but it is also a hike. $10 parking after 3pm Monday-Fridays and enter after 7am on weekends with ticket stub. Approximately 1.3 miles from Fenway Park.
  • SpotHero App: A smartphone app that allows you to find available parking garages and pay directly through your phone! No cash needed! New users can get a free $5 credit with my referral link here. Available parking garages may vary.
  • Parking Panda: A smartphone app that finds available parking garages and you can pay through your phone. New users can get a free $5 credit with my referral link.

Also, ask friends and family for suggestions for parking because they may be able to give you some suggestions or tips based on their own experience.

Do you have any tips for saving at Fenway Park or for purchasing Red Sox tickets? What did I miss?

*This post does contain an affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.