Getting Around Northampton, MA During Your Stay

Northampton’s bus routes connect the city with nearby towns and colleges, while downtown has municipal parking and connections to regional bus and rail services. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) serves 24 member communities in Massachusetts.

For an introduction to the central area, the Northampton City Centre visitor guide covers downtown as a place to explore on foot once you arrive.

Downtown Northampton has more than 1,550 public parking spaces across on-street spaces, municipal lots and two municipal garages. The E. John Gare Parking Garage is open around the clock and has more than 430 spaces across four levels, with entrances on Pleasant Street and Hampton Avenue.

At E. John Gare, the first hour is free and parking costs $0.75 per hour after that. The city says a lost ticket incurs a non-refundable $20 fee.

The Gothic Street Parking Garage is open to the public on weekdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and all day on weekends; parking there outside those hours may lead to ticketing and towing.

City lots use pay-by-plate kiosks that accept coins and credit cards, and ParkMobile is accepted in municipal lots. Downtown streets have pay-by-plate kiosks and traditional meters, with ParkMobile also available. Metered parking in city streets and lots is enforced Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sundays and holidays are free.

For a PVTA trip or carpool over the Coolidge Bridge, the city identifies a free commuter lot at Sheldon Field off Bridge Street. A small Commonwealth-owned lot is also available by the Damon Road entrance to the Norwottuck Rail Trail for trail users.

PVTA buses link Northampton with colleges and communities across the Pioneer Valley. Routes include the 39 between Smith College and Hampshire College, the 39E between Smith College and Mount Holyoke College, and the R41 between Northampton, Easthampton, HCC and Holyoke Mall.

Other Northampton-area routes include the R42 to Williamsburg, the B43 to Hadley and Amherst, and the R44 to Florence Heights via King Street and Bridge Road. PVTA schedules also include the G47 between Northampton, Westfield and Southwick and the B48 between Northampton and Holyoke via Route 5.

Regional services offer alternatives for longer trips. Peter Pan’s bus terminal is at 1 Roundhouse Plaza; paid metered parking is available there, but overnight parking is not allowed.

Amtrak’s Valley Flyer serves Northampton between Greenfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, stopping in Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield. Its usual pattern is two weekday round trips and one on weekends, with southbound trains in the morning and northbound trains in the evening.

If you’re arriving by air, Bradley International Airport is about 51 minutes by car from the motel. The Bradley International Airport to Northampton transport guide covers the journey options.

Northampton city centre is about a 6-minute drive or a 51-minute walk from North King Motel. Driving is the quicker option; once downtown, you can use municipal parking and continue on foot between central destinations.

If you’re planning to spend time in the centre, the route and parking details above can help you choose where to leave the car before exploring.

Look Memorial Park is one of the nearby parks covered here. For park details and planning, see the guide to Look Memorial Park in Northampton.

Skinner State Park, at 10 Skinner State Park Road in Hadley, offers hiking trails and views of the Connecticut River Valley.

For downtown plans, driving takes less time from the motel, and the city has a range of public parking options. PVTA is useful for trips along its Northampton-area routes, including connections to colleges and neighbouring communities. For the parks, driving is the quickest option.

Schedules, parking rules and fees can change, so check the official site before you go. Consult PVTA for bus timetables and the City of Northampton for parking details.