Overview Important information More information

Boston Duck Tour

Overview

Our legendary ConDUCKtors put their unique spin on each tour, making it fun and educational for kids and history buffs alike.

Important information

CAN I CHOOSE MY SEAT?

To keep all parties together we now automatically assign seats when you purchase your tickets. You will be able to find your seat assignments on your tickets after you purchase online, over the phone or in person.

WHERE ARE BOSTON DUCK TOUR TICKET BOOTHS LOCATED?

Boston Duck Tours has 4 ticket booth locations.

The Museum of Science ticket booth is located on the right hand side of the front entrance of the Museum of Science. Our ticket booth that looks like a mini DUCK. Specifically “Miss Emma Science”.

The New England Aquarium ticket booth is located outside the New England Aquarium, right next to the Simons IMAX theatre. This booth also looks like a mini DUCK. Specifically “Annie Aquarium”.

The Prudential Center ticket booth is located outside of Star Market at 53 Huntington Ave. This booth also looks like a mini DUCK. Specifically “Liberty Teresa”

We also have a booth by the entrance to the Greenway coming from Faneuil Hall.

You may also purchase our tickets at either Bostix booth located next to Faneuil Hall or in Copley Square!

I AM ARRIVING BY CRUISE SHIP. HOW DO I GET TO YOU?

Our New England Aquarium departure location is the closest to Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. You can take an Uber or taxi to any of our departure locations or catch a ride on the Silver Line bus to South station which will connect you to our subway system. The New England Aquarium departure location is a short walk from South Station, the Museum of Science is at Science Park station off the Green Line and the Prudential Center location is easily accessible from Copley station off the Green Line.

CAN YOU PURCHASE GIFT CARDS?

Yes, gift cards can be purchased online in any denomination.

CAN YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS OVER THE TELEPHONE?

We take advance telephone reservations for groups of 20 or more, based upon availability (excluding children under 3 from original count). You can make your group reservation by calling us at 617-450-0068.

We suggest that you call as early as possible to increase your chances of getting the date, location and time you want, as some dates are sold out months in advance. If you have fewer than 20 people, you may also purchase tickets over the phone. (Please note that there is a $3.50 per ticket convenience fee for tickets purchased over the phone.) Otherwise, you may purchase our ticket booths at the Prudential Center, Museum of Science, The New England Aquarium or at the Bostix booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Prudential Center, Museum of Science and New England Aquarium Ticket booths open at 8:30 a.m. Our booth at Faneuil Hall opens at 10am. All tickets are sold based upon availability for specific departure dates, times and locations, are non-refundable and may not be exchanged. Tickets may be purchased starting 30 days in advance. More tickets are made available on the day of the tour starting at 8:30am. On weekends and during the summer season, tickets often sell out by noon, so we suggest you buy your tickets as early in the day as possible. Tours depart rain or shine.

CAN YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS OVER THE INTERNET?

You may purchase tickets over the Internet any day within 60 days in advance of a particular tour date. A limited number of tickets go on sale at 8:45 a.m. five days prior. Once these tickets are sold out, the only other way you would be able to get tickets is to go to one of our ticket booths early on the day of the tour. If the advance tickets on the Internet are sold out, then the advance tickets at the ticket booths are also sold out. To order, go to online tickets. Please note that there is a $2.00 per ticket convenience fee for Internet tickets.

DO I NEED TO PRINT MY E-TICKET?

No, you may print your e-ticket or simply present the ticket on your mobile device if you do not have a printer readily available. Either form is perfectly acceptable.

IF INTERNET TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT FOR A PARTICULAR DAY, DOES THAT MEAN YOU’RE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT FOR THAT DAY?

No. We release only a portion of our tickets on the Internet for advance sales. Same day tickets are always available for sale at our ticket booths. Prudential Center and Museum of Science Ticket booths open at 8:30 a.m. The New England Aquarium ticket booth location opens at 9 a.m. and our Faneuil Hall ticket booth opens at 10am.

On weekends, holiday and in the summer months we may sell out quickly so we suggest you arrive early to purchase tickets or purchase in advance.

WHAT CAN YOU PURCHASE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE?

Besides Boston Duck Tours tickets, you have the option of purchasing discounted tickets to the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Skywalk Observatory & Old Town Trolley. You may also purchase Boston Duck Tours’ merchandise.

HOW LONG DOES THE TOUR LAST?

All tours are approximately an hour and 20 minutes in length. An hour on land and 20 minutes in the water. Tour times may vary from time to time due to traffic patterns and construction.

ARE THE DUCKS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?

Absolutely! We have wheelchair accessible DUCKS from our Prudential Center and Museum of Science departure locations. If you are booking online you MUST call us at 617-450-0068 and tell us you have a guest that needs to stay in their wheelchair as we need to pull 3 extra seats to fit the wheelchair in the DUCK. If booking in person ensure you tell our Guest Service Representative that you have someone in a wheelchair so we can also pull the 3 extra seats. Each Duck in our fleet is equipped to have up to two wheelchairs strapped onto the back deck. Wheelchairs are boarded first along with one guest in your party. Other guests in your party will board in the order in which they arrived and where they are in the line. Guests also have the option of transferring into one of our seats. We will gladly set up the wheelchair lift to assist those guests who are not in a wheelchair, but are unable to climb stairs.

CAN YOU GET ON AND OFF THE DUCK?

No. The tour is approximately 80-minutes without stops along the route. Tour times may vary due to traffic patterns and construction.

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

All tickets are sold based on availability for specific departure time and location, are non-refundable and may not be exchanged. If Mother Nature precludes us from offering the water portion of our tour, half the ticket price will be refunded upon request.

IS IT APPROPRIATE TO GIVE A GRATUITY?

Gratuities are certainly appreciated for a job well done at the discretion of the guest. All groups of 20 or more and private Duck charters will include an automatic 10% Staff/Gratuity Fee* which can be returned to the group if the tour is unsatisfactory. All student groups of 20 or more will have a 5% Staff/Gratuity Fee* added to their tour.

CAN YOU REQUEST A CERTAIN CONDUCKTOR OR DUCK?

Unfortunately due to scheduling challenges, it is not possible for individuals to request a particular ConDUCKtor or Duck. Groups may be able to request a specific ConDUCKtor with enough advanced notice. You would need to give at least one month notice.

DO YOU GET WET ON THE TOUR?

While we do splash into the Charles River, you will not get wet. You may, however, get a light spray on the River depending upon the direction and strength of the wind.

WHERE DO WE PICK UP OUR TICKETS IF PURCHASED ON THE WEBSITE?

You can use your printed Internet confirmation as your ticket and go directly to our Duck Stop boarding area. If you’re not able to print the confirmation, you should still go directly to the Duck Stop and a Guest Service Representative will tell you where to sit for boarding.

HOW LONG ARE WE ON THE WATER?

The water portion is approximately 20 minutes of the 80-minute tour. Tour times may vary due to traffic patterns and construction.

CAN WE BRING LIQUOR ON BOARD?

No, insurance regulations do not allow alcohol on board the Duck. Boston Duck Tours reserves the right to refuse boarding of or terminate the tour for any guest that appears to be intoxicated.

DO YOU NEED A SEAT FOR MY BABY?

Yes, you are required to get a ticket for any child under 3. The discounted price is $10.50.

ARE PETS ALLOWED ON THE DUCK?

Only service animals are permitted on the tour.

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR? ARE THE DUCKS HEATED?

Although the Ducks are heated and may be enclosed, you should dress appropriately for the weather on the day of the tour. It is often breezy on the Charles River.

DO YOU LET GUESTS DRIVE ON THE CHARLES RIVER?

It is up to the Driver or ConDUCKtor to determine if he/she will allow guests to steer the Duck on the Charles River.

WHEN IS THE LAST TOUR AT EACH LOCATION?

The first tour departs at 9:00 AM & the last tours leave approximately one hour before sunset each day. Schedule for tours at Museum of Science & Prudential Center is:

Dates of Operation – Last Tour of the Day*

March 21st through April 18th – 6:00 PM
April 19th through May 15th – 6:30 PM
May 16th through August 5th – 7:00 PM
August 6th through August 25th – 6:30 PM
August 26th through September 12th – 6:00 PM
September 13th through September 29th – 5:30 PM
September 30th through October 16th – 5:00 PM
October 17th through October 31th – 4:30 PM
November 1st through November 7th – 3:30 PM
November 7th through November 25th – 3:00 PM

*Estimated times.

DO YOU HAVE A PLACE TO STORE MY CHILD’S STROLLER?

Yes, a Guest Service Representative will take your stroller for you during the tour and return it once the tour has ended.

PLEASE EXPLAIN THE CONVENIENCE CHARGE.

The $2 per ticket fee is a Convenience Charge for tickets purchased on our website in advance. Since we only accept advance reservations for groups of 20 or more, this allows individual guests to reserve tickets for a specific departure location, on a specific day and for a specific time. It can save someone from driving into town, parking and standing in line to purchase tickets based upon what is available at that time. Of course there is always the option of buying in person, without the service charge, either 30 days in advance or on the day of the tour.

DO YOU HAVE TOURS IN OTHER LANGUAGES?

Yes, we are the only city tour in Boston to offer tours using GPS technology to provide tours in 9 different languages. These tours ONLY depart from our Prudential Center or Museum of Science locations. We now have tours in Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian dialect Portuguese, Japanese, Cantonese & Korean!

ARE THERE ANY BOSTON DUCK TOUR TICKET HOLDER BENEFITS?

As a Boston Duck Tour ticket holder, you are entitled to HUNDREDS of dollars worth of savings to local stores, attractions and restaurants including great savings at the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and Prudential Center. See the entire list of discounts. You will also receive a complimentary city guide when you purchase a Boston Duck Tours ticket. If you purchase tickets via the Internet, you can pick up your guide at any of our departure locations when you check in. It includes fun facts and helpful information on the city. Lastly, you will receive $10 off a Museum of Science Exhibit Hall pass, a free tea tasting from the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, a free weekday walking tour of Harvard with Trademark Tours and a free weekday walking tour of MIT with Trademark Tours – a $47 value for FREE! (Please note that free offer for Harvard Tour and MIT Tour is only valid Monday – Friday for up to 6 guests (They offer the Harvard and MIT tour at 50% off on Saturday and Sunday for Duck Tour guests).

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF YOUR TICKET BOOTHS?

The Prudential Center, the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium ticket booth open at 8:30am and close after the last tour departs (Please see tour schedule above).

WHAT HAPPENS DURING SEVERE WEATHER?

Boston Duck Tours runs rain or shine. However, we may be forced to cancel either the water portion or the entire tour itself under severe weather conditions. If Boston Duck Tours is unable to provide the water portion of the tour, guests will receive a 50% refund. If Boston Duck Tours is forced to cancel the entire tour, guests will receive a full refund. Cancellations are done at the discretion of the Dispatcher based on the current weather conditions at the time of the tour.

WHAT IS THE 5% CCF THAT IS ADDED TO THE PRICE OF OUR TICKETS?

The CCF is not a tax, it is a Convention Center Fee that the state of Massachusetts charges all land and water based sightseeing tours of Boston. Unfortunately no entity may be exempt from this fee as it is not a tax, but a surcharge.

WHY DO YOU CHARGE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 WHEN THEY WILL BE SITTING ON AN ADULT’S LAP?

We are required by the United States Coast Guard to count every guest on board whether it’s a 10 year old child or a 10 day old baby. Although the infant would be on a lap, we are unable to sell the seat that the infant would be purchasing because our total number of guests on board can’t go over our approved limit.

IS THERE A CHANCE THAT I WON’T BE SEATED IN THE SEAT NUMBER THAT IS ON MY TICKET?

BDT reserves the right to reassign seats.

More information

Boston Duck Tour Departure Locations

Boston Duck Tours has 3 departure locations: the Museum of Science, Prudential Center and New England Aquarium.

Each location is conveniently located near public transportation and when in Boston, you should have no further than a 15-20 minute walk to one of them.

All locations offer special discounts for combo tickets to Boston Duck Tours Guests to allow you to spend a day in Boston while saving money.

Select a departure location below for more information on tour times, schedules and hours of operation to for the Museum of Science, Prudential Center and New England Aquarium.

Museum of Science

Boston Duck Tours departs in front of the Museum of Science next to the life-size T-Rex. The Museum of Science features a revolving schedule of temporary exhibits, IMAX films, and Planetarium shows, plus live animal shows, a Butterfly Garden and an indoor Lightning show! Discover more than 700 interactive permanent exhibits including the new Hall of Human Life. Save $10 per person when you add a discounted ticket to the Museum of Science to your online order!

Boarding Location & Directions: Our Museum of Science ticket booth and boarding area are located in front of the Museum of Science at 1 Science Park, Boston MA 02114

Museum Location: The Museum of Science is located near Boston’s West End, the Bulfinch Triangle and Charlestown neighborhoods and it borders the City of Cambridge on the Charles River. It is accessible by subway (Science Park stop on the Green line).

Early Duck Discount (Online Only): Purchase tickets for a tour that departs at 9:00am or 9:30am and save up to $9.50 per ticket!

Foreign Language Tours: Tours marked in blue are offered by our famous ConDUCKtors, but are also available in 9 languages via GPS headsets. Available in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese, Portuguese, Cantonese and Korean.

Dates that Boston Duck Tours depart from the Museum of Science: Daily from March 21 – November 25

Boston Duck Tours departure times: Tours depart every hour or half hour starting at 9am until one hour before sunset.

Tour Length: Approximately 80 minutes

Uber: Staying in Boston? Get a free ride to The Museum of Science with Uber. Sign up here for $25 off your first ride!

Parking: The Museum of Science offers the best rate on parking for any one of our departure locations and has an on site parking garage.

New England Aquarium

Let your imagination swim wild! Join our bustling penguin colony for an unforgettable Aquarium adventure, complete with 360-degree views of a spectacular, four-story Caribbean coral reef teeming with nearly 2,000 animals. Feel the smooth skin of a cownose ray and watch seals and sea lions at play. The Aquarium is a treasure trove ready for exploration by families and ocean lovers right in the heart of downtown Boston. Boston Duck Tours departs from the New England Aquarium driveway in front of the Whale Watch Booth. Be sure to add a discounted ticket to the New England Aquarium to your online order!

Boarding Location & Directions: Our New England Aquarium ticket booth and boarding area are located in from of the New England Aquarium located at: Central Wharf, Boston MA 02110

Aquarium Location: The New England Aquarium is located on Boston’s historic Waterfront and is in close proximity to Faneuil Hall, the North End, the Seaport District and the Financial District.

Dates that Boston Duck Tours depart from the New England Aquarium:Daily from April 1 – December 1

Boston Duck Tour departure times: Tours depart from the New England Aquarium every 20 minutes starting at 9am until one hour before sunset.

Tour Length: Approximately 80 minutes

Parking: The New England Aquarium does not own or operate any garages. Boston Duck Tours suggests the Boston Common Garage. (The Boston Common garage is about a 20 minute walk from the New England Aquarium so please plan ahead)

Parking Rates with validation:(Must be stamped at the Boston Duck Tours ticket booth)

4 hrs = $15 with validation

5 hrs = $20 with validation

Prudential Center

Boston Duck Tours departs at Prudential Center at 53 Huntington Avenue. Prudential Center is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor and consists of 75 stores and restaurants. Major retailers include Aritzia, Barnes & Noble (Boston’s largest bookstore), Eataly Boston, Club Monaco, Canada Goose and Sephora. With over 80,000 visitors a day, Prudential Center is ranked among the top 5 shopping centers in the nation by Women’s Wear Daily. The Prudential Center is also home to the Skywalk Observatory (Boston’s only 360 degree view of Boston), an open air park located in the center, and a wide assortment of amenities such as an Enterprise car rental. Be sure to add a discounted ticket to the Skywalk Observatory to your online order!

Prudential Center is located in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay, and is connected to the Copley Place Mall and a short distance to Newbury Street shopping and sites such as Copley Square, Trinity Church and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Boarding Location & Directions: If you already bought tickets online, then head to our tour departure location, located at 53 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Prudential Center Location: The Prudential Center is conveniently located in the Back Bay neighborhood in Boston. The Prudential Center also borders the South End and is in close proximity to the Fenway neighborhood.

Early Duck Discount: Purchase tickets for a tour that Departs at 9:00am or 9:30am and save up to $9.50 per ticket! Online Only.

Dates that Boston Duck Tours depart from the Prudential Center: Daily, March 21 – December 1

Holiday Duck Tours operate from the Prudential Center only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 6-22 from 9am – 3pm.

Boston Duck Tour departure times: Tours from Prudential Center depart every half hour starting at 9am until an hour before sunset.

Tour Length: Approximately 80 minutes

If you need to buy tickets our ticket booth is located outside the Prudential Center in front of Star Market at 53 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02116

Uber: Staying in Boston? Get a free ride to Prudential Center with Uber. Sign up here for $25 off your first ride!

Parking: We offer discounted parking through our validation program at the Prudential Center parking garage. (Please note that parking validation does not apply if you enter before 9:30am!)

Tour Sites & Map

Hop aboard Boston Duck Tours and enjoy a fully narrated, historic tour of Boston in a “DUCK", a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle that travels on land and water. You'll be greeted by one of our legendary ConDUCKtors, who'll be narrating your tour. You’ll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, from the golden domed state House to the Boston Common, the historic North End to fashionable Newbury Street, Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower, and more. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, it’s time for a Big Splash as your ConDUCKtor drives the DUCK right into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. Come and experience the best introDUCKtion to Boston!