Extra Trains for Thanksgiving Off-Peak and Family Fares in Effect

The MTA Long Island Rail Road is an economical and convenient alternative to car travel this Thanksgiving, with extra train service on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 26, and Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27 and off peak fares in effect for the entire 4-day holiday weekend. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 28, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, off-peak fares will be in effect all day, including the special Family Fare discount, while a full weekday schedule will be in effect. Under the Family Fare program, up to four children ages 5-11 can ride off-peak trains for the advance purchase fare of 75 cents each when accompanied by fare-paying parent or guardian. Weekly and monthly ticket holders just pay for the kids. Children under 5 ride free.

The schedule on Thanksgiving eve, Wednesday, November 26 includes nine extra trains departing Penn Station between 2:09 PM and 4:01 PM for customers leaving work early. Three trains will operate on the Babylon Branch, three on the Port Jefferson Branch (one to Hicksville, two to Huntington), one on the Port Washington Branch to Great Neck, one to Far Rockaway and one to Montauk.

The holiday schedule on Thanksgiving Day will include 16 extra trains for travelers attending the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Holiday travelers are urged to purchase round-trip tickets in advance to avoid paying the higher on-board fare.

Wednesday, November 26:
The extra afternoon service from Penn Station includes:
Port Jefferson Branch to Hicksville/Huntington:

• 2:09 PM stopping at Jamaica, Carle Place, then all stops to Huntington
• 2:25 PM stopping at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, then all stops to Huntington
• 3:24 PM stopping at Jamaica, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville

Babylon Branch:

• 2:22 PM express to Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon
• 3:00 PM stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon
• 3:31PM express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon

Port Washington Branch to Great Neck

• 3:40 PM stopping at Woodside, Flushing, then all stops to Great Neck

Far Rockaway Branch

• 3:48 PM express to Locust Manor, then all stops to Far Rockaway

Montauk Branch

• 4:06 PM train from Hunterspoint Avenue to Montauk (4:01 PM train from Penn Station connects with this train at Jamaica)

Note: Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed on LIRR trains, stations and platforms from 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 26 (Thanksgiving Eve) to 8:00 AM on Thursday, November 27, (Thanksgiving morning). MTA Police will enforce this restriction.

Thanksgiving Day, November 27
Throughout Thanksgiving Day, a holiday schedule will be in effect. Cars will be added to select trains to accommodate holiday travelers. Extra service for those attending the Parade includes:

Westbound
Babylon Branch from Wantagh
7:13 AM and 7:43 AM trains from Wantagh, making all stops to Lynbrook, Jamaica and Penn Station
Montauk Branch
6:09 AM from Speonk, making all stops to Babylon, Jamaica and Penn Station
Ronkonkoma Branch
6:29 AM and 7:08 AM trains from Ronkonkoma, making all stops to Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica and Penn Station
Port Jefferson Branch
6:39 AM from Port Jefferson making all stops to Huntington, Jamaica and Penn Station

Eastbound
Between 11:37 AM and 2:03 PM, ten extra trains will depart from Penn Station to accommodate customers returning from the parade. Three of the extra trains will operate on the Babylon Branch, four will operate on the Ronkonkoma Branch, two will operate on the Port Jefferson Branch and one will operate on the Montauk Branch to Speonk.  Branch timetables dated November 10-December 14 contain regular eastbound departures from Penn Station, as well as the times of the extra trains.

Friday, November 28
Although the LIRR will run a normal weekday schedule, off-peak fares will be in effect all day, making it more economical to travel to the city for holiday shopping and events.

For additional information, customers can contact the LIRR's Travel Information Center, 24-hours a day, in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR, in Nassau County at 516-822-LIRR or in New York City at 718-217-LIRR. The Travel Information Center's TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022.