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
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Regular weekday service.
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27
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Subways + buses run on Sunday schedules.
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Extra early-morning service on the 42 St Shuttle and 1 train for parade-goers.
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Expect major delays and reroutes on Manhattan bus routes near the parade route.
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59 St–Columbus Circle: several entrances/exits closed.
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Select Penn Station and Sixth Avenue line entrances also closed.
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79th Street Transverse CLOSED from noon Wednesday → noon Thursday. No buses permitted.
Friday, Nov. 28
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Subways + SIR: Regular weekday schedule.
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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:
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72 St (1, 2, 3)
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79 St (1)
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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):
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10 extra early-afternoon trains from Grand Central.
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Several evening trains cancelled.
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Hudson & Harlem Lines: 3 early departures each.
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New Haven Line: 4 early departures.
Metro-North (West of Hudson):
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Port Jervis Line: Early getaway train at 2:41 p.m. from Hoboken, arriving 4:56 p.m.
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Connecting NYC Penn departure: 2:34 p.m.
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Pascack Valley: 5:08 p.m. Hoboken departure’s Penn connection leaves 5:20 p.m. (5 minutes earlier than usual).
LIRR:
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Regular weekday schedule.
Thursday — Thanksgiving Day
LIRR:
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Holiday/weekend schedule + 15 extra trains before and after the parade.
Metro-North (East of Hudson):
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Special schedule with added morning inbound service.
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Extra outbound trains late morning → mid-afternoon.
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Expanded evening service returning to NYC.
Metro-North (West of Hudson):
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Weekend schedule + 2 extra Port Jervis Line trains for parade travel.
Friday
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Metro-North: Enhanced Saturday schedule.
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LIRR: Regular weekday schedule.
Biggest disruptions to expect (so you’re not surprised on the platform)
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Manhattan bus gridlock: Midtown frozen zones + parade street closures = heavy delays.
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Crammed platforms: 59 St–Columbus Circle, 72 St, and Herald Square will be packed.
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Earlier departures: West-of-Hudson Metro-North riders MUST check holiday-adjusted times.
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Closed entrances/exits: Particularly around parade routes.
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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:
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mta.info
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MYmta app
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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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