- 7 toursTrolley, walking, crawl & cruise
- $19–$55Adult tickets by tour
- 75–120 minTypical duration
- All-ages–21+Age policy varies
- Free cancelUp to 24h before
Boston Ghost Tours at a Glance: Price, Rating, Duration and Best For
Boston's ghost-tour industry is built on fact more than folklore — which means there's a lot to choose from, and not all of it is worth your time or money. Whether you want a theatrical trolley ride, a walking tour through the oldest burying grounds in America, or a haunted pub crawl with a drink in hand, there's a right answer for your group — and a wrong one. Here's the whole field, ranked.
| Tour | Type | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghosts & Gravestones | Trolley | ~$47 | 4.4 (660+) | First-timers, couples, groups |
| Dark Side of Boston | Walking | ~$19 | 4.6 (200+) | History purists |
| Ghost City Tours | Walking | ~$35 | 4.3 (500+) | Budget, history lovers |
| Haunted Pub Crawl | Pub crawl | ~$35 | 4.5 (130+) | Groups, 21+, social nights |
| Haunted Streets (US Ghost Adv.) | Walking | ~$34 | 4.2 (300+) | Paranormal interest |
| Harbor Ghost Cruise | Boat | ~$46 | 4.3 | Date nights, something unique |
| The Ghosts of Boston | Walking | ~$30 | 4.1 | Families, flexible times |
Short version: the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley is the best all-round pick and the safest bet if you can only do one. Prices verified June 2026 via GetYourGuide — they vary by date and platform, so check the live booking widget for current rates.
Every Boston Ghost Tour, Ranked
Each tour with our verdict, what reviewers say, and a live availability widget so you can check dates and book directly.
Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour
The most-reviewed ghost tour in Boston, and it earns it. A costumed 17th-century gravedigger hosts a "frightseeing" ride past sites tied to the Boston Strangler, colonial executions and documented hauntings, before stopping on foot at two Freedom Trail burying grounds: Copp's Hill and Granary. The production is genuinely impressive — and the history underneath it is researched and accurate.
Reviewers say: five-star reviews praise the guide's storytelling and the graveyard atmosphere; the main criticism is group size on busy October weekends. The verdict: the best all-round ghost tour in Boston. If you're visiting once and want the definitive experience, this is the one. PG-13; departs Old Town Trolley Stop #1, 200 Atlantic Avenue.
The Dark Side of Boston
One of the most historically rigorous ghost-tour options in the city. This is less theatrical than the trolley — no costumed gravedigger, no fitted vehicle — and significantly more scholarly. The guides are trained historians and researchers who happen to also know where the bodies are buried. Literally. The tour covers the Parkman–Webster murder, early executions on the Common, and the darker colonial history official accounts prefer to omit.
Reviewers say: consistently praised for guide knowledge and historical depth; the common criticism is that it's light on theatrical atmosphere — which for some people is the point. The verdict: best for history purists and repeat visitors who've already done the trolley. Exceptional value.
Ghost City Tours Boston
One of Ghost City Tours' stronger outposts. The walking tour covers the downtown historic district — King's Chapel Burying Ground, the area around the Granary, and the North End — with a guide who balances documented paranormal accounts and historical dark history. The most accessible of the ghost walking tours, and when you get a strong guide, it's a legitimately great tour.
Reviewers say: the best reviews rave about specific guides by name; weaker reviews cite guides who read from notes. Given the price, even a middling night is fair value. The verdict: a solid choice, especially if the trolley is sold out. Ghost City also runs the Haunted Pub Crawl (below).
Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs
The best pub-crawl ghost tour in Boston, and a fundamentally different experience from the walking and trolley tours. It connects three to four of Boston's most historically significant taverns with ghost stories and colonial drinking history. The pubs are genuinely old — not renovated-to-look-old — and the stories attached to them predate the Revolution. This is not a novelty crawl; the history is legitimate.
Reviewers say: consistent praise for the guide's energy and the atmosphere at the final pub; the group dynamic varies between quiet weeknights and loud Friday crowds. The verdict: the best choice for groups and 21+ visitors. Not suitable for families or children.
US Ghost Adventures: Haunted Streets
US Ghost Adventures focuses on paranormal investigation rather than theatrical storytelling. The Boston tour includes more ghost-hunting lore alongside the historical content — electromagnetic field readings, documented paranormal activity, eyewitness accounts from investigators — which appeals strongly to visitors with a genuine interest in the paranormal. A more earnest operation than the trolley, and that's a feature for some and a drawback for others.
Reviewers say: strong reviews from visitors specifically interested in paranormal investigation; more mixed from those expecting theatrical entertainment. The verdict: a good second-choice walking tour for paranormal enthusiasts specifically.
Boston Harbor Ghost Cruise
The only ghost tour in Boston that takes place on the water. This ghost-themed sailing covers the history of Boston Harbor — drownings, shipwrecks, piracy and the documented maritime dark history of one of America's oldest ports — narrated from the deck. The darkness on the water, the harbour lights on the surface, the isolation from the city: it creates an atmosphere no walking tour can replicate.
Reviewers say: praised for uniqueness and atmosphere; some note the ghost content is lighter than land-based tours — the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting. The verdict: best for couples, special occasions, and visitors who've already done a ghost walking tour and want something different.
The Ghosts of Boston Walking Tour
A competent mid-range walking tour covering downtown Boston's historic sites with a ghost and dark-history focus. It covers similar ground to the other walking tours at a similar price, and the quality difference is largely guide-dependent on any given night. The main advantage is scheduling flexibility — more daytime and early-evening options than some competitors, which makes it the better pick for families or visitors who don't want to be out late.
Reviewers say: solid and reliable; the common praise is an enthusiastic guide and accurate history, the common criticism is that it overlaps with better-reviewed alternatives. The verdict: a reasonable choice if the higher-rated options are sold out or the schedule doesn't work.
How to Choose the Right Boston Ghost Tour
Pick by who you're travelling with and what you want from the night.
Book the trolley
The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley is the most-reviewed, most-produced, and the experience most people mean when they talk about the Boston ghost tour. The price is justified.
Dark Side of Boston
Run by trained historians and a fraction of the trolley's price. For serious history visitors, it's the better pick — depth over production.
The pub crawl
Two hours, four bars, ghost stories, drinks. It works for any size adult group and generates the most reliably good reviews from social visitors. 21+.
The harbor cruise
The most expensive option, but genuinely unlike any other ghost tour in the city — best for date nights and special occasions.
Ghost City Tours
A legitimate ghost walking tour at a price that won't sting if the guide is underwhelming — and the upside when you get a great one is real.
Family-friendly walks
The Ghosts of Boston and Haunted Streets walking tours are family-appropriate. Avoid the pub crawl (21+) and check the trolley's age policy (no under-6s).
When to Book — and When Not to Wait
The single biggest factor in whether you get the tour you want is when you book it.
October sells out
From the second week of September through Halloween, tours across Boston sell out — the trolley on a Saturday night can go a month ahead. Visiting in autumn? Book the moment your dates are confirmed.
May–early September
Warm evenings, manageable crowds, and availability that lets you be spontaneous. Prices are often slightly lower outside peak season on dynamic-pricing platforms.
Winter after dark
The crowds vanish after Halloween and the streets empty out. Walking Boston's oldest burying grounds in January — cold, quiet, stones half-visible in the lamplight — is genuinely extraordinary. Several tours run year-round.
Free cancellation
Every tour on this list offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure — so booking early to lock your slot costs you nothing if plans change.
Other Boston Experiences You Might Enjoy
Done ranking the ghost tours? These pair well with a haunted night out. Browse a hand-picked mix of the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour, Boston ghost walking tours, haunted pub crawls, a Boston Harbor ghost cruise, Freedom Trail history tours, North End food tours and a Salem witch-trial day trip from Boston — with live availability and prices below.
Best Boston Ghost Tours: Common Questions
Which is best, how scary, family-friendly, weather and how far ahead to book — answered.
Which Boston ghost tour is best?
For most visitors, the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour is the best all-round choice — it's the most reviewed, the most produced, and covers two actual Freedom Trail burying grounds on foot. For history purists, the Dark Side of Boston walking tour offers more depth at a lower price. For adult groups, the Haunted Pub Crawl is the strongest option.
How scary are Boston ghost tours?
The tours range from atmospheric and historically unsettling, on the walking tours, to theatrical but not frightening, on the trolley. None are designed to be genuinely scary in the way a haunted house is. What they offer is real history that happens to be deeply disturbing, told well, after dark — more unnerving than jump scares for most adults.
Are Boston ghost tours family-friendly?
Most walking tours are appropriate for older children. The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley does not permit children under 6 and requires ages 6 to 12 to be accompanied by an adult. The pub crawl is strictly 21+. The Ghosts of Boston and Haunted Streets walking tours are among the most reliably family-appropriate options.
Do Boston ghost tours run in the rain?
Most operate rain or shine. The trolley is covered; walking tours typically proceed in light rain with the option of cancellation in severe weather. Check the specific cancellation policy when you book — most tours listed here offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
What's the difference between a ghost walking tour and the trolley?
The walking tour covers roughly a mile on foot through the oldest parts of downtown, in small groups, at close proximity to the sites. The trolley covers more ground, seats you comfortably, and is more theatrically produced, with two on-foot graveyard stops. The trolley is better for cold nights or visitors who prefer not to walk; the walking tour is better for those who want to feel the streets at ground level. See our full walking vs trolley vs pub crawl comparison.
How far in advance should I book a Boston ghost tour?
In October, as far in advance as possible — the trolley in particular sells out weeks ahead on autumn weekends. Outside of October, a few days is usually sufficient. All tours listed here offer free 24-hour cancellation.