Does the NYC subway run 24 hours?
Quick answer: The subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Late at night, roughly 1 to 5 a.m., the B, C, W and Z and the 42 St Shuttle don't run, several lines make extra local stops, and trains come less often.
Yes, every day of the year
The MTA runs the subway 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Late at night some lines change their routes or stop running, and trains come less often, so plan for longer waits.
Source: MTA: riding the subway.
What changes late at night, line by line
From roughly 1 to 5 a.m.:
- Not running: B C W Z and the 42 St Shuttle between Times Sq and Grand Central (take the 7 instead).
- Same stops as usual: 1 6 7 G J L, the Staten Island Railway and the Franklin Av and Rockaway Park shuttles.
- Extra local stops: 2 4 A D E F N Q. Express trains run local, so trips take longer.
- Shorter routes: 3 5 M R serve fewer stations than in the daytime.
So at 3 a.m., if you'd normally take the C, the A will stop at your local station instead. If you'd take the B, try the D.
Source: MTA published subway and bus schedules (fall 2026) as of November 4, 2026; MTA: riding the subway.
Nights and weekends: planned work
For planned work, lines can be rerouted, skip stations or be replaced by shuttle buses, often on nights and weekends. Check before you ride. Cobblehop reads the MTA's posted service changes, so you can ask "is the F running tonight?"
Source: MTA: riding the subway.
Holiday schedules, 2026
- Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26: Sunday schedule, with fewer trains than on a weekday.
- Christmas Day, Friday December 25: Sunday schedule.
- New Year's Eve, Thursday December 31: normal weekday schedule. Last year the MTA added extra trains that night.
- New Year's Day, Friday January 1, 2027: Sunday schedule.
Source: MTA published subway and bus schedules (fall 2026); MTA: New Year's service (last year).
Ferries, buses and rail at night
- Staten Island Ferry: runs 24/7 with no fare, about every 30 minutes outside rush hours.
- Buses: from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. you can ask a local bus operator to let you off between stops (not on Select Bus, limited or express buses).
- LIRR and Metro-North: not all night. Check the TrainTime app or ask Cobblehop for the last train home.
Source: Staten Island Ferry; MTA: riding the bus.
Late-night subway: common questions
Does the NYC subway run 24 hours?
Yes. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Late at night some lines change their routes or stop running.
Which subway lines don't run late at night?
The B, C, W and Z and the 42 St Shuttle don't run late at night, roughly 1 to 5 a.m. The 3, 5, M and R run shorter routes.
Do express trains run late at night?
The 2, 4, A, D, E, F, N and Q make extra local stops late at night, so they no longer run express.
Does the subway run on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Yes. In 2026 it runs a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas Day (December 25).
How do I get between Times Square and Grand Central at night?
Take the 7. The 42 St Shuttle doesn't run late at night.
Official sources
Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with these agencies or operators. Check their pages for the latest schedules and service changes:
- MTA: riding the subway
- MTA: published schedules (GTFS)
- MTA: riding the bus
- Staten Island Ferry
- MTA: New Year's service (last year)
Published November 7, 2026. Late-night service was checked against the MTA's published schedules as of November 4, 2026. Service changes, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.
Plan your trip in Cobblehop. Say where you're going and get one clear route, a leave-in countdown and a buzz before your stop.
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