Taking the Trolley to Qualcomm Stadium

Important Travel Notes for the 2008 Season

It’s easy going to the “Q” by Trolley! The Stadium Trolley Station is located in Section J of the parking lot, just steps away from Gate K.

The San Diego Trolley Green Line provides regularly scheduled service to Qualcomm Stadium and Jack Murphy Field every day from approximately 5:00 a.m. to midnight. Trolleys depart most stations every 15 minutes. View Trolley map and schedules.

Adult round-trip costs range from $3.00 to $6.00. Or use your Monthly Pass. And don’t forget, kids ride free on the Trolley on weekends! On Saturdays and Sundays, the Trolley is free for two children (12 and younger) when accompanied by one fare paying passenger 18 years or older.

On Game Days, increased frequency and longer trains help to get fans to and from the stadium.  Fans can use any of our Green Line Park & Ride locations below or transfer from the Orange Line at Grossmont Center or from the Blue Line at Old Town. 

Important Travel Notes for 2008

The NFL schedule has the Chargers playing in several prime time games.  These unusual kickoff times will create challenges for fans heading to Qualcomm Stadium, particularly when they occur on weeknights.  Please be advised that the best way to avoid congestion is to travel early, regardless of your method of travel.

Please take note of the following dates and times as these will be the most challenging for fans going to the game.  Post-game service should not be affected in the same manner. 

Monday, August 25, 2008: 5pm kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks.  This pre-season game coincides with a 7:05pm Padres vs. Arizona baseball game at PETCO Park.  The 5pm kickoff means that fans will be heading to the stadium at the same time thousands of commuters are heading home from work.  Freeways and trolleys will be congested.  In addition, San Diego Trolley must honor its commitment to the posted timetable meaning fewer trolleys will be available for Chargers service than would be the case for a Sunday afternoon game.  Again the best advice is to travel early.

Monday, September 22, 2008: Yes, the second Monday Night game of the year, but this time it is a 5:30pm regular season game vs. the New York Jets. The good news is that there is not a Padres home game at PETCO Park that night.  The challenge is that this will likely be a capacity crowd meaning traffic on the roadways and on the Trolley will be even greater.  Remember as you make your travel plans that game traffic must compete with the evening commuters.  As with the August 25th game, San Diego Trolley cannot operate its full compliment of trains as we would for a Sunday afternoon game due to the commitment to the daily rush hour timetable.  Best advice?  Travel early!

Thursday, December 4, 2008:  The Raiders come to town for their annual visit, this time for a Thursday night prime time game.  Kickoff is at 5:15pm.  All challenges noted above will be in effect.  The best way to beat the rush hour congestion?  TRAVEL EARLY!

Saturday night and Sunday night games:  These games do not present the same issues as weeknight games.  You can expect the same level of Trolley service as you would for a Sunday afternoon game.     

Tips on taking the Trolley to Chargers games

San Diego Chargers Home Page

On Chargers home game days, increased frequency and longer trains help get fans to the game.  Extra service begins running approximately 3 hours before kickoff.  During the pre-game service period trains will depart on the following frequencies*:

Note: Frequencies listed below are approximate and are an indication of service levels planned for weekend games only.  Frequency for weeknight games will be subject to the number of trains available during the evening commute hours.

Parking near Trolley stations Info

Get Special Bus Services to the Q!

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Game Day Rider Tips

• Travel early: Allow extra time as Trolleys will be crowded at times.  At some of the more popular locations closer to the stadium, trains may arrive that are already full.  Rest assured that the trains will continue to operate as often as possible providing service to all of our customers.  In addition, some trains begin service at mid-line points (Hazard Center and SDSU) to ensure that fans boarding at stations closest to the stadium have additional options.
• Purchase a Round Trip Ticket: At the ticket kiosks or Ticket Vending Machines, purchase your round trip ticket to avoid lines after the game.
• Old Town Overflow Parking: Available nights and weekends at the Cal-Trans building on Taylor Street just north of the Trolley Station platform.
• Park and Ride East of Qualcomm Stadium: Most fans arrive from the west.  To expedite post-game service, riders who are holding a pre-purchased round trip ticket from stations east of Qualcomm Stadium will be allowed to enter the stadium station at the circular stairs directly below the boarding platform.  This will provide direct access to eastbound trains.  NOTE: Only passengers holding tickets clearly marked from stations east of the stadium will be allowed to use this entrance.
• Accessible Entrance Located at the Jack Murphy Statue:  This will allow direct access to the station elevator and ramp ways to the boarding platforms.  Passengers requiring an accessible path and their parties should use this entrance regardless of direction of travel.
• Avoid Attempting to Bypass the Line by Walking to the Next Station: Although the line may appear daunting, please be patient and allow us to move all passengers in as timely a manner as possible.  Passengers choosing to walk to the Mission San Diego or Fenton Parkway stations will find that station access will be metered allowing only a limited number of passengers to enter at a time.  If you must avoid the rush, please consider departing the game a little early or waiting for a while after the game to enter the line. 

 Eastbound Station Entrance (For passengers holding pre-purchased round trip tickets to stations east of the stadium.  All other passengers must use the main station entrance.)

(Note: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible entrance for both eastbound and westbound passengers is located at the the Jack Murphy statue next to stadium Gate K.)

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