Thanksgiving Travel Alert: Major MTA Changes, Extra Trains, Closed Stations — Here’s What NYC Commuters Need to Know

Thanksgiving Travel Alert: Major MTA Changes, Extra Trains, Closed Stations — Here’s What NYC Commuters Need to Know

Thanksgiving weekend is about to unleash one of the busiest travel surges of the year — and the MTA says riders should brace themselves. From packed subway platforms to extra commuter rail service and parade-related closures, New Yorkers moving around the city between Wednesday and Sunday will face a very different transit landscape.

Whether you’re hitting the Macy’s parade, heading to family, or escaping the city entirely, here’s exactly what to expect across subways, buses, LIRR, and Metro-North.

Subways & Buses: Parade closures, reroutes, frozen zones

Wednesday, Nov. 26

• Regular weekday service.

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27

• Subways + buses run on Sunday schedules.

• Extra early-morning service on the 42 St Shuttle and 1 train for parade-goers.

• Expect major delays and reroutes on Manhattan bus routes near the parade route.

• 59 St–Columbus Circle: several entrances/exits closed.

• Select Penn Station and Sixth Avenue line entrances also closed.

• 79th Street Transverse CLOSED from noon Wednesday → noon Thursday. No buses permitted.

Friday, Nov. 28

• Subways + SIR: Regular weekday schedule.

• Buses: Reduced weekday schedule.

The Parade: How to actually get there without losing your mind

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts 8:30 a.m. at 77 St & Central Park West and ends at Herald Square.

Best stations for the start:

• 72 St (1, 2, 3)

• 79 St (1)

• 59 St–Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1)

Arrive early — trains will be standing-room only by 7 a.m.

LIRR & Metro-North: Heavy early-getaway service, extra trains, schedule shifts

Wednesday — Getaway Day

Metro-North (East of Hudson):

• 10 extra early-afternoon trains from Grand Central.

• Several evening trains cancelled.

• Hudson & Harlem Lines: 3 early departures each.

• New Haven Line: 4 early departures.

Metro-North (West of Hudson):

• Port Jervis Line: Early getaway train at 2:41 p.m. from Hoboken, arriving 4:56 p.m.

• Connecting NYC Penn departure: 2:34 p.m.

• Pascack Valley: 5:08 p.m. Hoboken departure’s Penn connection leaves 5:20 p.m. (5 minutes earlier than usual).

LIRR:

• Regular weekday schedule.

Thursday — Thanksgiving Day

LIRR:

• Holiday/weekend schedule + 15 extra trains before and after the parade.

Metro-North (East of Hudson):

• Special schedule with added morning inbound service.

• Extra outbound trains late morning → mid-afternoon.

• Expanded evening service returning to NYC.

Metro-North (West of Hudson):

• Weekend schedule + 2 extra Port Jervis Line trains for parade travel.

Friday

• Metro-North: Enhanced Saturday schedule.

• LIRR: Regular weekday schedule.

Biggest disruptions to expect (so you’re not surprised on the platform)

• Manhattan bus gridlock: Midtown frozen zones + parade street closures = heavy delays.

• Crammed platforms: 59 St–Columbus Circle, 72 St, and Herald Square will be packed.

• Earlier departures: West-of-Hudson Metro-North riders MUST check holiday-adjusted times.

• Closed entrances/exits: Particularly around parade routes.

• Long waits leaving Manhattan Thursday afternoon: LIRR & Metro-North trains fill quickly after the parade.

If you’re traveling with kids or luggage, build in extra time — especially Thursday morning and Friday afternoon.

How to stay updated

The MTA urges riders to check:

• mta.info

• MYmta app

• TrainTime app (LIRR + Metro-North)

MTA warns schedules can shift during the holiday rush due to crowd control or police activity.

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