Visiting Campus and Finding Housing

Planning to visit campus, looking for temporary housing to attend a short course, or considering a move to Boston for a degree program? We’ve gathered some information to help you consider your options. These housing resources are completely independent from Harvard Extension School (HES), and HES does not endorse any of them or review the information given by these resources. We caution all potential tenants to verify all information you receive.

Campus Map

You can also access the Harvard University campus map to explore campus yourself.

Campus Tours

The official Harvard tour departs from the Harvard Information Center, in the Smith Campus Center. The tour is student-led and includes a walk through Harvard Yard, an overview of the University’s history, and a unique view on the student experience.

The one-hour tour is free. You do not need to register, but because tours are capped at 35 attendees we recommend arriving 30 minutes early to guarantee a spot at your desired time. Please view the Harvard University visitors calendar for more details.

If you are interested in touring the campus on your own, you may buy a tour pamphlet at the Harvard Information Center, in the Smith Campus Center.

Short-Term Accommodations and Long-Term Housing

There are a number of housing options for students, whether you only need to stay for a few days or you are moving here for a degree program. We recommend that you first visit www.harvardsquare.com for information about accommodations, restaurants, events, and activities.

Hotel and Inn Accommodations

Booking.com and Hotels.com offer easy-to-navigate sites to explore discounted hotel options in the Boston and Cambridge area. Bedandbreakfast.com is another great option.

Several hotels and inns are steps away or short walking distance from the campus, including:

Unique Options

During the summer time, you may want to stay overnight in a Tall Ship or boathouse, such as the Liberty Fleet or Sleep Afloat rentals.

You may be adventurous enough for the communal accommodations of a hostel. Boston’s Hostel, located conveniently downtown, was renovated in 2012 and welcomes thousands of visitors a year. Reservations can only be made online; guests must be at least 18 years of age, have proof of Covid-19 vaccination at check-in, and provide a government-issued ID. Use the code “TIME22” when booking a room after April 1, 2022 for a discounted rate.

Sublets

You may also secure a sublet within an easy distance of campus. The following websites have postings of available rooms and apartments:

The rooms available are often considerably cheaper than a hotel and offer the added amenities and privacy of a house or apartment. Be aware of the risks involved with using any of these sites, and be certain to do the proper research before committing to an arrangement.

Long-Term Rentals

Rent is lower outside of Boston and Cambridge. Familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods and towns in outlying areas (e.g., Allston, Arlington, Belmont, Brighton, Medford, Somerville, and Watertown), and consider commuting. Many students save on rent by living with roommates. The following sites provide listings.

Housing Listings

Admitted degree candidates should visit Degree Privileges for information about Harvard Off-Campus Housing Resources.

Helpful Hints

Good apartments go quickly. Be prepared to act fast.
Begin your search early to allow yourself enough time to make a decision.
Make sure to actually view the apartment; the amount of rent does not always indicate the quality of the apartment.
You will gain a better sense of the surrounding environment if you view an apartment during both day and night.
Be sure to allot extra money for utilities, parking, telephone, laundry, and other expenses not included in the rent.
Find out about parking availability in the area (on street, off street, permit only).
Allow extra time for your search if you have pets; rentals that accept pets are often harder to find.