The Celtics trip starts at North Station

North Station is the destination to build around when planning a Celtics game by public transit. TD Garden's transportation guide directs Orange and Green Line riders there, with north-side commuter rail services arriving at the same location as the arena.

The guide also describes an underground passage connecting commuter rail and subway facilities beneath Causeway Street. That connection can reduce time spent crossing outside in bad weather.

Riders coming through Back Bay can connect to the Orange Line. From South Station, the arena describes a Red Line trip to Park Street followed by a Green Line transfer. Check MBTA service notices and the return timetable before committing to either route.

If the ride home is by app, the arena says evening pickup and drop-off services are geolocated to Merrimac Street from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Follow the location shown in the rideshare app after the game.

Source: TD Garden Transportation.

Plan the trip home as well

The arena's A-Z guide describes Celtics games as generally lasting two and a half to three hours. Leave room for getting out of the building when comparing return trains.

The accompanying CBS Boston video reports on the passageway's opening in January 2019. It is historical context for the connection, not a current service alert. For a particular game night, check the operator's notices before leaving and again before the return trip.

If the train does not fit

For a driving alternative, the arena's garage page lists North Station Garage entrances at 121 Nashua Street and 140 Causeway Street. The posted maximum vehicle height is six feet, eight inches.

As checked September 7, advance event parking was listed at $60, compared with $65 for entry within four hours of an event. The event rate covers up to eight hours, with an additional hourly charge afterward. Recheck the listing for the game you select before buying.

Compare the whole journey, not just the ride into Boston: parking charges, the number of people traveling and the practical return options all matter. Someone making an early dinner part of the visit should check the entry window as carefully as someone arriving just before tipoff. The train and garage solve different travel needs; neither choice removes the need to plan the way home.