The Metropolian Transportation Authority is scheduling extra service for those planning to travel for Thanksgiving.
Trains and buses throughout the system will operate on special schedules on Wednesday through Sunday, with expanded railroad service on Wednesday afternoon, to accommodate the unique travel demands of Thanksgiving weekend.
Long Island Rail Road customers use the MTA TrainTime app to buy one-way, round-trip, 10-trip, 20-trip, weekly and monthly passes, as well as reduced fare tickets, child and family fare tickets and military tickets, on smartphones or mobile devices.
For Real Time Updates Customers Can Visit new.MTA.Info, myMTA app, MTA TrainTime app
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Travelers heading to and from LaGuardia Airport should utilize the free LaGuardia Link Q70 Select Bus Service (SBS). The LaGuardia Link Q70 SBS connects the 
subway lines and LIRR to LaGuardia Terminals B and C. Stops for LaGuardia Link Q70 SBS are marked outside LIRR’s Woodside Station/61 St-Woodside subway station, and at the bus bays the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av /74 St-Broadway subway station complex.
subway lines and LIRR to LaGuardia Terminals B and C. Stops for LaGuardia Link Q70 SBS are marked outside LIRR’s Woodside Station/61 St-Woodside subway station, and at the bus bays the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av /74 St-Broadway subway station complex.Wednesday: Expanded Early Afternoon Service on LIRR, Metro-North
- The Long Island Rail Road will operate 12 extra trains departing Penn Station between 12:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The extra service includes four extra trains on the Babylon Branch, three on the Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch, two on the Ronkonkoma Branch, and one each on the Far Rockaway, Montauk and Port Washington Branches. Times are shown in the current timetables and are available by using the MTA TrainTime app and MTA.info trip planning tools.
Thanksgiving Day: Subway to Macy’s Parade
- On Thanksgiving Day, New York City subways and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule and the Staten Island Railway will operate on a Saturday schedule.
- The LIRR and Metro-North’s West of Hudson service will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule with extra service before and after the parade.
Getting to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at 77th Street and Central Park West and ends in front of Macy’s at Herald Square (34th Street).
The closest subway stations to the start of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are the 
at 72 nd St., the at 79 Street, the 
at 81 St, and the at 59 St-Columbus Circle.
at 72 nd St., the at 79 Street, the at 81 St, and the at 59 St-Columbus Circle.There will be additional service on the 
42 Street Shuttle as well as increased early morning service on the line to accommodate spectators. In order to prevent overcrowding on stairways and platforms, some subway entrances at 59th St-Columbus Circle will be closed. Trains will bypass the 72 St and 57 St line stations between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. In addition, select exits and entrances will be closed at Penn Station, and other stations along the Sixth Avenue line.
42 Street Shuttle as well as increased early morning service on the line to accommodate spectators. In order to prevent overcrowding on stairways and platforms, some subway entrances at 59th St-Columbus Circle will be closed. Trains will bypass the 72 St and 57 St line stations between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. In addition, select exits and entrances will be closed at Penn Station, and other stations along the Sixth Avenue line.The LIRR schedule is supplemented with 17 extra trains timed perfectly for those attending the Thanksgiving Day Parade or otherwise visiting the city. There will be six extra westbound trains originating on Long Island between 6 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. (two each on the Babylon Branch and Ronkonkoma Branch, and one each on the Montauk Branch and Port Jefferson Branch), and 11 extra eastbound trains departing Penn Station between 11 a.m. and 1:35 p.m. (four each on the Babylon Branch and Ronkonkoma Branch, two on the Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch and one on the Montauk Branch).
Metro-North will provide additional inbound morning service for customers going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. There will also be expanded outbound service starting in the late morning and continuing until mid-afternoon for customers traveling to suburban destinations. Finally, there will be expanded evening service for customers returning to New York City.
Black Friday, Nov. 25
- New York City subways will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
- Most New York City Transit and MTA Bus Company buses will run on reduced weekday schedules. Some limited-stop services will not run. Check for any service changes on bus routes at mta.info under “service status.”
- The LIRR will operate on a regular weekday schedule, with lower, off-peak fares in effect all day.
- West of Hudson: The Port Jervis Line will operate an enhanced weekend schedule with three additional trains, and the Pascack Valley Line will operate a normal weekend service.
- The Staten Island Railway will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
Saturday, and Sunday
New York City Transit, the LIRR and Metro-North, including West of Hudson service, will operate on regular weekend schedules.
For real-time service updates and information, customers can use the following options:
MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time travel information for all MTA services all in one place.
TrainTime app – The MTA launched a totally revamped TrainTime app as the new one-stop app for commuter rail customers in the region on both Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, showing all train schedules for 30 days in the future.
new.mta.info – The “Service Status” box at new.mta.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each line.
Live Subway Map – The Live Subway Map shows the real-time position of trains, planned service changes at any given time, highlights accessible stations, and much more.
MTA Weekender – Customers can sign up for the “MTA Weekender,” a weekly digest of major weekend service changes throughout the transit system.
Twitter – Twitter users can follow @MTA, @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus for service updates and customer service support.
WhatsApp – Customers can chat with NYC Transit via WhatsApp. Riders can receive customer service support in their native language through the help of Google Translate.
For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.