Here’s Metro-North’s announcement (which we’ve edited) about train schedule changes for the days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s, 2018 and 2019. It includes tips that go beyond schedule changes:
[Editor’s note: Some of this is repetitive, but you may be looking up this announcement fast as you’re rushing to the station, so repetition may be helpful.]
And to make your yuletide travels even easier, we have a special Christmas/New Year’s Holiday Timetable with schedules for Christmas Day (Tuesday, Dec. 25), New Year’s Eve (Monday, Dec. 31), and New Year’s Day (Tuesday, Jan. 1).
Friday, Dec 21
We start things off with our Early Christmas Getaway Service on Friday, Dec. 21. It features extra trains departing Grand Central beginning at 1 p.m. Some evening trains will be cancelled or combined because of reduced ridership later in the day.
Christmas Eve, Dec 24
Christmas Eve falls on Monday, Dec. 24, and we will operate an expanded Saturday schedule.
Christmas, Dec 25
On Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25, we will operate a special holiday schedule with hourly service on most line segments, and regular weekend service on all branch lines.
See a Christmas/New Year’s Holiday Timetable or our Train Time app for details.
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec 26 and 27
For the week between Christmas and New Year’s (Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 26 to 27), we will operate a weekday schedule with reduced AM Peak service and additional inbound service operating in the late morning. PM Peak service will operate normally.
So if you are taking family and friends to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, stroll by the holiday window displays along Fifth Avenue, or take in the show at Radio City Christmas Spectacular or at The Illusionists, (click here to see all of our discounted New York City Metro-North packages), we will be able to get you there.
See a regular timetable or our Train Time app for details on how to get there.
- When you purchase your tickets, we recommend you use MTA eTix, the mobile ticketing app that enables you to purchase those ten-trip, one way, round trip, weekly and monthly passes on your smartphone or mobile device.
Friday, Dec 28
On Friday, Dec. 28, we will operate reduced weekday AM Peak service with additional inbound trains in the late morning.
In the afternoon, look for our early getaway service (same as Friday, Dec. 21) as shown in a regular timetable or in our Train Time app. Note that select evening trains will be cancelled or combined because of reduced ridership later in the day.
New Year’s Eve, Dec 31
On New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31, we will operate a reduced weekday schedule in the morning and evening rush hours.
New Year’s Eve service includes extra inbound late afternoon and early evening service to get you to your party. And there is “overnight” New Year’s morning service that will get you safely home when that party is finally over!
Please remember that drinking alcohol on Metro-North trains and at our stations is banned from noon New Year’s Eve until noon New Year’s Day.(Because there comes a time when the party really is over.)
- Your first resolution for the New Year should be to buy your tickets in advance: — THOSE OF YOU TAKING OUR EARLY MORNING NEW YEAR SERVICE WILL HAVE YOUR TICKETS COLLECTED PRIOR TO BOARDING TRAINS AT GRAND CENTRAL. — The best way to do that is with MTA eTix.
New Year’s Day, Jan 1
Finally, on New Year’s Day, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, we will operate hourly service on most line segments, and regular weekend service on branch lines.
For details on the holiday schedule, please see a Christmas/New Year’s Holiday Timetable or our Train Time app for details.
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