Getting home on New Year’s Eve in Toronto is easier than you’d think. For several years, the TTC, GO Transit and UP Express have offered free rides on New Year’s Eve, and the subway runs late.
New Year’s Eve 2025 service (for reference)
- Free rides on the TTC from 7 p.m. on December 31 until 8 a.m. on January 1. GO Transit and UP Express were free over the same hours.
- Extended subway service, with most last trains leaving before 3 a.m.
- Blue Night Network buses ran until regular service began at 8 a.m.
- At Union Station after midnight, TTC riders were redirected to the east-side exterior entrance.
- Express buses ran from midnight to 2 a.m. to connect riders to Line 2 stations.
Last trains (2025)
| Line | Last trains |
|---|---|
| Line 1 from Union | 2:31 a.m. toward Finch; 2:27 a.m. toward Vaughan Metropolitan Centre |
| Line 1 southbound | 2 a.m. from Finch; 1:50 a.m. from Vaughan Metropolitan Centre |
| Line 2 | Last eastbound from Bloor-Yonge 2:40 a.m.; westbound from Bloor-Yonge 2:39 a.m. |
| Line 4 | Last eastbound from Sheppard-Yonge 2:57 a.m. |
The TTC announces its 2026 New Year’s Eve plans in December. We’ll update this page as soon as they’re confirmed.
New Year’s Day
On January 1, 2026, the subway started at 8 a.m. and the system ran on a Sunday schedule. Expect a similar schedule on January 1, 2027. See the TTC holiday schedule.
Planning your route
- Know your nearest station to your party or the waterfront, and the last train times for your line.
- Check if your line has planned closures: the TTC sometimes schedules subway maintenance on weekends, which can affect holiday travel.
- Download the TTC’s trip planner or a transit app with real-time arrivals.
- Plan a backup: know which Blue Night bus routes serve your neighbourhood if you miss the last train.
Leaving the waterfront after midnight
If the City’s celebration is on the waterfront again, tens of thousands of people will head to Union Station at once after the fireworks. To avoid the crush:
- Walk north to King or St. Andrew station instead of Union.
- Take the Queens Quay streetcar east or west before heading north.
- Wait 20 to 30 minutes at a café or bar until the crowds thin out.
- Stay together and agree on a meeting spot.
GO Transit and UP Express
GO Transit and UP Express have offered free rides on New Year’s Eve alongside the TTC in recent years, with extra late-night GO trains on some lines. If you live outside Toronto, check GO’s New Year’s Eve schedule in December to see your last train home.
Accessibility
TTC Wheel-Trans and accessible subway stations are available on New Year’s Eve, though stations near the waterfront will be crowded. Check elevator status on the TTC website before travelling, and allow extra time.
Safety tips
- Stand behind the yellow line on crowded platforms.
- Keep your belongings close.
- Ask TTC staff or Special Constables for help if you need it.
- Never drive impaired; free transit makes it easy to leave the car at home.
TTC on New Year’s Eve: FAQ
Is the TTC free on New Year’s Eve 2026? It has been in recent years. Watch for the 2026 announcement in December.
What time does the subway close on New Year’s Eve? In 2025, most last trains left around 2:30 a.m., with Blue Night buses after that.
Tips
- Tap anyway if signs ask you to, even during free hours.
- Leave the waterfront early or late to avoid the post-fireworks crush at Union.
- Check service alerts on the night.
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