NJ TRANSIT is adding additional service this Thanksgiving weekend to help take the stress out of holiday travel as the Garden State embarks upon the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year.
No matter what your Thanksgiving plans are, rest assured NJ TRANSIT can help get you and your family there with kids riding free the entire long weekend!
Pre-pandemic, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving was typically the busiest day of the year at Newark Airport’s rail station, with ridership levels about twice that of a typical weekday.
To accommodate the increased holiday travel and provide additional capacity for customers traveling to Newark Liberty International Airport, as well as those leaving work early to begin the festivities, NJ TRANSIT will once again offer “early getaway” rail and bus service on Wednesday, November 24.
Customers must wear masks while inside waiting rooms and onboard all public transit vehicles regardless of physical distance through January 18, 2022, per the Transit Security Administration’s (TSA’s) federal directive.
For the Thanksgiving holiday, NJ TRANSIT’s Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult, will be in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 24 until 6 a.m. Monday, November 29.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, NJ TRANSIT will add extra trains and buses to the schedule in the morning and early afternoon hours to accommodate customers traveling to/from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Then on Friday, November 26, traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, bus service will be offered to shopping centers throughout New Jersey.
Rail service will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule with additional service for those working this day.
NJ TRANSIT customer service representatives and customer ambassadors will be deployed at major facilities to assist customers with their travels throughout the holiday weekend.
Customers are urged to purchase their tickets early – round trip preferably – to avoid lines at ticket windows and Ticket Vending Machines.
To avoid lines altogether, purchase your tickets on your mobile device by downloading NJ TRANSIT’s mobile app available free at the App Store and Google Play.
For a complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com, use NJ TRANSIT’s mobile app, or call 973-275-5555.
HOLIDAY SERVICE AT A GLANCE
Wednesday, November 24 Trains will operate on a weekday schedule on all lines with additional “early getaway” service from Penn Station New York, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines.
Certain trains will also add stops at Secaucus Junction and Newark Airport stations, with details available on the rail printable schedules page at njtransit.com.
Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River LINE Light Rail service will operate on a weekday schedule. Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.
Selected routes will operate on Sunday schedules to match service with ridership demand. Special holiday timetables are available on njtransit.com.
Thanksgiving Day, November 25 Trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule. To accommodate customers traveling to and from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, NJ TRANSIT will add extra trains on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a Saturday/Sunday schedule; Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule and River LINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Holiday bus schedules vary by route—bus customers are advised to visit njtransit.com.
Friday, November 26 One of the busiest shopping days of the year, trains will operate on an enhanced weekend/major holiday schedule on all rail lines, with additional trains operating during the morning and afternoon “peak” periods on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Gladstone and Port Jervis lines (the same schedule as followed on Martin Luther King Day and Presidents’ Day).
Customers should use the printable schedule page at njtransit.com, check printed timetables, or use the “Station-to-Station Trip Planner” at njtransit.com and the mobile app for Friday’s rail schedules – including trains in shaded columns, many of which operate this day.
Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com or the mobile app for schedule information. Selected routes will operate on Sunday schedules to match service with ridership demand.
Special holiday timetables are available on njtransit.com. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and the River LINE will operate on a weekday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Travel tips
- Face coverings are required on board trains, buses, light rail, Access Link vehicles, and inside stations.
- Check Schedules in Advance: Additional service will be provided on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Plan your trip online or via the mobile app to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
- Travel early on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26, if possible, as ridership is expected to be lighter earlier in the day.
- Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion during the holidays may affect bus travel times to and from New York City, so customers should plan accordingly.
- Ticketing: Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return. Use the Mobile App, ticket vending machines, or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges.
- Use NJ TRANSIT’s mobile app for a seamless experience purchasing tickets and planning your trip.
- Plan accordingly. Customers should familiarize themselves with NJ TRANSIT schedules and fares before starting their trip. To see the schedules and fare information, visit www.njtransit.com.
- Luggage: Travel as light as possible. Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces. On multilevel trains, customers with large bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car. Purchase round-trip tickets in advance to avoid potentially long lines.
- Service advisories: Customers should download the latest version of the NJ TRANSIT mobile app and customize service alert notifications available via push notifications.
- Stay connected to NJ TRANSIT social media during your commute. Search for rail, bus, or light rail-specific Twitter accounts for the best information.