Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The tour starts on the MIT campus, where you will follow your guide to learn about the school's history, famous pranks, inventions, and much more! Your tour guide will show you buildings designed by world-famous architects, dormitories home to hilarious MIT "hacks", and stunning views of Boston from across the river!
After MIT, your tour guide will take you to Harvard using the subway system. Your subway fare is included in the cost of the tour.
Learn the history of Harvard University, the oldest college in the country. See the "Statue of the Three Lies", deceiving visitors for almost 150 years. Learn about Harvard's academic legacy, as well as some rather whimsical traditions practiced by the students! See the house where George Washington stayed during his visit to Boston during the American Revolution and Harvard's part in the war. The tour will show you the academic, residential, and hidden parts of one of the world's most prestigious universities!
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Weekend vs Weekday Tours - the tour goes inside some MIT buildings on weekdays only! The MIT campus buildings are closed on weekends and major holidays. On the days that we do not go inside MIT, the tour price is $5 less. Harvard does not allow any public tours inside any buildings.
Parking is very difficult to find near the tour starting point. We strongly advise against driving and recommend taking public transit or taxi/Uber. The closest garage next to the tour start point is the Green Garage at Kendall and costs $38 for 3+ hours. Very limited metered street parking is available around the starting area of the tour, we advise arriving at least 30 minutes ahead of the tour start time to look for metered parking.
Public transport is the easiest way to get to the tour start point. Take the MBTA (subway) to the Kendall/MIT station on the Red Line, the tour start point is next to the main entrance to the subway station.
Tour starts exactly on time. If you are running late, you can catch up with the tour group by following the tour stops listed on the itinerary. First tour stop is MIT Media Lab, second stop is the Green Building, and so on. Your tour guide will not be able to answer any phone calls to direct you after the tour starts.
This tour focuses on history, architecture, and stories about the two universities. If you are looking for a tour for perspective future students, please contact the admissions department of the university.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Tour Guide Services
Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard
Gratuities
See the MIT Media Lab, home to some of the most innovative cross-discipline creations stemming from MIT.
See the Green Building, designed by I.M.Pei. Learn about the famous "Tetris" student prank.
101 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
annmarieh572,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This was a really great tour. Alex was so informative and happy to answer all of our questions. She made sure we all enjoyed it. Really felt that we received the full history to these two schools - would recommend every time.
rod2k20,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great tour! Highly recommended. Enjoy the guided tour. The guide had great command of the subjects. Enjoy getting to know the MIT and Harvard campuses. We walked along the Charles River bank and used the subway to get from one college to the next. All fully included!



gardengal16,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
The tour guide, Alexandria, was FABULOUS! Very informative, friendly, open to questions and very knowledgeable about both campuses. The perfect guide for this tour




Suzanne D,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
Wonderful overview of 2 places I have always wanted to see. Jenny, our guide, was knowledgeable, and she seemed delighted to be with us.
ahmedtD3424QP,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our guide, Alex, really made this tour of MIT and Harvard great. He's super knowledgeable but explains everything in a way that's easy to follow and genuinely interesting. You learn a lot without it ever feeling like a lecture. The tour was totally worth it.
MARK C,
Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
Great tour. Our guide Jenny was very good. I highly recommend this tour. The guide was very well-versed in both MIT and Harvard history, lore, and tradition.
SilviaGabrielaA2,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Alex was such an amazing guide! We enjoyed the tour especially the MIT part. He shared many interesting facts along the way! Highly recommend.
Johnny Y,
Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
Alexandria is an excellent communicator and kept the group actively engaged throughout the tour with delightful "Who's Who Qs" and sharing of different creative bright genius innovations/ inventions and the "Stupendous Delightful Hacks" created by the brilliant and creative minds at MIT. Harvard was wonderful and grand. She conveyed how an old historic and grand institution, like Harvard, tried so hard to keep its old tradition as is" and, yet conceding that "in time" it needed to adapt to the ever ongoing changes of the current world to maintain its competitive position and survive as a great educational institution. Many thanks again to Alexandria in sharing her knowledge of MIT and Harvard and we wish her much success in her life endeavors.
Rebecca H,
Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
I really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about both schools. It was really interesting to see how they both differed. MIT is all about innovation and Harvard is all about tradition. The guide on my tour was great. He was very personable and projected his voice very well.
kelly i,
Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
This was a fantastic experience. The guide Jenny was phenomenal at her job. She was so friendly, engaging and happy to answer any questions asked.
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