Holiday travel tips
- To save time, tap and go with OMNY, our contactless fare payment system. You can use it on the subway and bus.
- Traveling on the LIRR or Metro-North? Use the TrainTime app to check schedules and buy tickets.
- For LIRR and Metro-North riders visiting the city to celebrate, we're running extra trains into the city on New Year's Eve and leaving the city after midnight. Alcohol is not allowed on LIRR and Metro-North trains, platforms, and stations from noon on December 31 to noon on January 1.
- Check Service Status before heading out to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for your trip.
- Subscribe to the MTA Weekender, a newsletter sent every Friday with weekend service updates for the subway, LIRR, and Metro-North.
Service details
Subways
On Tuesday, December 31, subways will run on a weekday schedule.
There will be increased service on the and 42 St Shuttle from the evening of December 31 until the early morning of January 1.
- trains will run, and trains will run express, until approximately 2 a.m.
- trains will run to/from Forest Hills-71 Av until approximately 12:30 a.m.
- trains will run to/from New Lots Av until approximately 3 a.m.
- trains will run to/from Bowling Green until approximately 2:45 a.m.
- 42 St Shuttle trains will run all night.
Because of the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, some trains won't stop at certain stations, and some station entrances/exits in Midtown will be closed. Street exits at Times Sq-42 St will be closed. Beginning at 2 p.m., the passageway between Times Sq-42 St and 42 St-Bryant Park will be open for eastbound foot traffic only, one way from 7 Av/Broadway to 6 Av.
- Uptown trains won't stop at 50 St from 11:45 a.m. Tuesday to 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.
- For service to/from 50 St, take a downtown train, or consider using 34 St-Penn Station.
- trains won't stop at 49 St in either direction from 11:45 a.m. Tuesday to 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.
- Use nearby stations at 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr , 50 St , or 57 St-7 Av .
Some entrances/exits at 42 St-Bryant Park , 5 Av , 7 Av , 59 St-Columbus Circle and 57 St-7 Av may be closed. Expect crowding at these stations and follow the instructions of the NYPD and MTA personnel.
On Wednesday, January 1, subways will run on a Sunday schedule.
Buses
On Tuesday, December 31, most bus routes will run on a reduced weekday schedule. All routes will run, but some may come less often than usual.
Many buses may experience delays and/or detours, especially in Midtown Manhattan.
See special schedules for express bus routes in Brooklyn and Queens. Plan a trip to see the latest schedules.
On Wednesday, January 1, buses will run on a Sunday schedule.
Long Island Rail Road
On Tuesday, December 31, the LIRR will run on a regular weekday schedule. Additional trains will run on the Babylon, Montauk, Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson, and Port Washington branches to Manhattan in the evening and from Manhattan in the early morning.
Many trains will make added stops at Elmont-UBS Arena for riders traveling to and from the Billy Joel concert. There will also be extra trains to Jamaica, Huntington, and Ronkonkoma after the concert. Please follow directions from staff at Elmont-UBS Arena, as these post-event trains will not appear in the TrainTime app. Additional Babylon Branch trains will be on standby at Jamaica for those transferring from Elmont-UBS Arena.
On Wednesday, January 1, the LIRR will run on a weekend schedule.
Metro-North Railroad
On Tuesday, December 31, Metro-North will run on a regular weekday schedule with extra evening inbound trains on the Harlem, New Haven, and Port Jervis lines.
Overnight, Grand Central Terminal will remain open, with outbound service on the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines all night. Some extra inbound trains will also run. The Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines will run extra trains from Hoboken with connecting service from Penn Station. Most trains that normally run between midnight and 2 a.m. will be replaced by the special service.
On Wednesday, January 1, the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines will run on a special schedule with hourly service at most stations. The Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines and the New Canaan, Danbury, Waterbury, and Wassaic branches will run on a weekend schedule.