Goodbye 2025, hello 2026! Whether you choose to spend this magical night at someone’s house, at the beach, or at one of the many NYE parties going on in San Diego, it’s important to plan ahead on how to get there (and back), safely. Based on the official 2025 – 2026 holiday service schedules from the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District, here are the public transport hours and details for and New Year’s Day.
New Year’s Eve – Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Free rides
All rides on MTS (bus/Trolley) and NCTD (Coaster, Sprinter, Breeze, LIFT, and NCTD+) are free after 6 PM.
General service
- MTS Buses & Trolleys: Most routes will operate on a standard weekday schedule.
- NCTD Coaster, Sprinter, & Breeze: Regular weekday schedule with added late-night service.
Late-night trolley departures
- UC San Diego Blue Line (South to San Ysidro): Last train departs at 2:37 AM
- UC San Diego Blue Line (North to UTC): Last train departs at 2:19 AM
- Orange Line (to El Cajon): Last train departs at 2:26 AM
- Green Line (to El Cajon): Last train departs Gaslamp Quarter Station at 2:08 AM
- Copper Line: Last train to El Cajon departs Santee at 2:57 AM; last train to Santee departs El Cajon at 3:10 AM
- COASTER (Northbound): The final train departs Santa Fe Depot at 1:20 AM (with an extra southbound trip departing Oceanside at 10:36 AM).
- SPRINTER (Eastbound): Extra trips departing Oceanside at 12:33 AM, 1:33 AM, and 2:33 AM
- SPRINTER (Westbound): Extra trips departing Escondido at 11:33 PM, 12:33 AM, and 1:33 AM
New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
Free rides
On New Year’s Day, every paying passenger on MTS buses and Trolleys can bring one guest on board for free.
General service
-
MTS & NCTD: All services (Trolley, Coaster, Sprinter, and fixed-route buses) will operate on a Sunday schedule.
-
Rapid Express (280/290): No service.
-
Rural Routes (891/892): No service.
Happy new year, San Diego!