- 3 formatsWalking, trolley & pub crawl
- $21–$47Adult tickets by type
- 60 min–2.5hDuration by format
- All-ages–21+Age policy varies
- Free cancelUp to 24h before
Which Boston Ghost Tour Should You Book? The Short Answer
Book a walking tour if you want the best value and the most atmosphere — you stand right beside the burying grounds, for roughly $25–$35. Book the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley if you want comfort, theatre and far less walking, especially on a cold night, near $47. Book a haunted pub crawl if you're 21+ and want a social evening across historic taverns over a strict history lesson. All three run after dark and most offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
The real trade-off is walking versus comfort versus a social vibe. A walking tour covers about a mile of cobblestones; the trolley keeps you seated between the two stops that matter, Copp's Hill and Granary; the pub crawl swaps cemeteries for taverns and runs the longest, about 2–2.5 hours. If you want guaranteed paranormal activity, dislike walking on uneven ground, or prefer indoor museums, a ghost tour of any format may not be your best night out — but for history with atmosphere, they're hard to beat.
Boston Ghost Tours Compared: Price, Walking, Duration, Age and Vibe
Best for, walking involved, duration, age policy, price, atmosphere and booking — the short answer for each format, side by side.
| Decision point | Walking tour | Trolley (top pick) | Pub crawl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-timers, value, atmosphere | Cold nights, less walking, theatre | Adults wanting a social night |
| Walking involved | ~1 mile over cobblestones | Mostly seated, 2 short stops | Short walks between 3–4 taverns |
| Duration | 60–90 min | ~90 min | 2–2.5 hours |
| Age policy | Often all-ages | PG-13 (under 6 not allowed) | 21+ only |
| Adult price | ~$25–$35 | ~$47 | ~$29–$36 |
| Atmosphere | Most atmospheric, on foot | Theatrical, costumed host | Social, drinks & stories |
| Book ahead? | Yes in October | Yes — most-booked, sells out | Yes in October |
Short version: walking tour for value and atmosphere, the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley for comfort and cold nights, a pub crawl if you're 21+ and want a social evening. Undecided? The trolley is the safest pick — it's Boston's most-reviewed ghost tour, with 650+ reviews and free 24-hour cancellation.
Each Boston Ghost Tour Format, and Who Should Book It
Walking tour, Ghosts & Gravestones trolley and 21+ haunted pub crawl — the case for each, with a price and a place to book.
Walking ghost tour
The best value and most atmospheric option for first-timers. You walk about a mile through downtown's oldest blocks and stand right beside the burying grounds on a story-led lantern walk. Many routes are all-ages.
Ghosts & Gravestones trolley
Boston's most-reviewed ghost tour, rated 4.4 from 650+ reviews. A costumed gravedigger hosts a covered ride with two on-foot stops at Copp's Hill and Granary — the comfort pick for cold nights and less walking. PG-13.
Haunted pub crawl
Colonial history, true ghost stories and drinks across 3–4 of Boston's most haunted historic taverns over about two hours. Best for adults who want a social evening over a history-first tour. Strictly 21+.
Our Overall Top Pick: The Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley
The safest choice if you can't decide — most-reviewed, weatherproof, and free to cancel.
Boston: 1.5-Hour Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
If you can't choose between the three formats, start with the trolley. It's Boston's most-reviewed ghost tour, pairs the comfort of a covered ride with the two burying-ground stops walkers care about, and runs year-round. Why we pick it: the most social proof in Boston, the least walking, and free 24-hour cancellation if your plans change.
- Round-trip on the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley
- A costumed, story-led gravedigger host
- Two on-foot burying-ground stops
- Roughly 90 minutes after dark
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Departs from Old Town Trolley stop #1, 200 Atlantic Avenue (Marriott Long Wharf). PG-13 — children under 6 are not permitted; ages 6–12 must be accompanied by an adult. Check live dates and book on the right.
Walking vs Trolley vs Pub Crawl: Common Questions
Which is best, which is cheapest, which has the least walking, and which suits families — answered.
Which is best — a walking tour, trolley tour, or pub crawl?
For most first-time visitors, a walking tour is the best value and the most atmospheric — you stand right beside the burying grounds for around $25–$35. Choose the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley for comfort, cold nights and theatre with far less walking, near $47. Choose a 21+ haunted pub crawl, about 2–2.5 hours, if you want a social evening over a history-first tour.
Walking tour or trolley — which is better in Boston?
A walking tour puts you on foot beside King's Chapel and Granary Burying Grounds for the lowest price and the most atmosphere, but covers about a mile of cobblestones. The trolley keeps the two key burying-ground stops on foot while you cover everything else from a covered seat — better for cold New England nights, limited mobility, or anyone who'd rather not walk a full mile.
Is a haunted pub crawl better than a ghost walking tour?
It depends what you want. A haunted pub crawl visits 3–4 historic taverns over about 2–2.5 hours and is best for adults who want a social night with ghost stories and drinks. A walking tour is more history-first, cheaper, and open to all ages on many routes. Pub crawls are strictly 21+.
Which Boston ghost tour is best for families with kids?
A family-friendly walking tour is usually the best choice — several are all-ages and story-led rather than scary. The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley is PG-13: children under 6 aren't allowed and ages 6–12 must be with an adult. Haunted pub crawls are 21+ only. Always check each tour's age policy before booking.
Which Boston ghost tour is cheapest?
Walking tours are generally the cheapest, around $25–$35 for an adult, with some from $21. Haunted pub crawls run about $29–$36 (drinks usually extra). The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley sits at the top end near $47, reflecting the covered ride and costumed host.
Which Boston ghost tour involves the least walking?
The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley involves the least walking — you stay seated between stops and only walk at the two burying grounds. Walking tours cover about a mile over cobblestones, and pub crawls involve short walks between 3–4 taverns. For limited mobility, the trolley is the easiest format.