Discounted transit passes available on the PRONTO app
Extra Trolley, COASTER service to keep fans moving all weekend long
San Diego – San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is back and expected to draw more than 135,000 fans from around the globe, and local transit agencies are ready to get them to the action — fast, affordably, and hassle-free. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) are joining forces once again to boost transit service and offer discounted multi-day passes to help fans skip traffic and get straight to the fun.
“Public transit is hands-down the best way to get to Comic-Con,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember for District 3. “With expanded service, discounted transit passes for Comic-Con, and direct drop-off just steps from the Convention Center, MTS offers a smooth, stress-free ride into the heart of the action.”
Fans can save time and money with Comic-Con PRONTO passes on the app. MTS offers discounted two-, three-, four-, and five-day options starting at just $10. Riders heading in from North County can take advantage of the COASTER 5-Pack, which offers five days of rides for the price of three — a 40% discount valid for a full month from purchase.
“The last thing that Comic-Con attendees need to worry about when coming to this world-class event is navigating through traffic and hunting for parking spaces,” said NCTD Board Chair and Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tempore Priya Bhat-Patel. “Let NCTD be your driver – show off your costume and pose for pictures with other Comic-Con fans on the COASTER!”
Where to Catch the Comic-Con Action
The Trolley drops riders right in the middle of Comic-Con excitement. Key stations near the convention include:
- Convention Center Station – Served by Green Line and Special Event Line
- Gaslamp Quarter Station – Served by Green Line and Special Event Line
- 12th & Imperial Station – Served by Green Line, Orange Line, UC San Diego Blue Line, and Special Event Line
To meet the surge in demand, MTS will increase service across its network, with Trolleys running every 15 minutes or better and late-night departures through the busiest days of the convention. Riders can see the full schedule, service information and maps on the MTS Comic-Con webpage.
Train Service Highlights:
- Special Event Line (12th & Imperial ↔ Balboa Ave Transit Center):
- 15-minute service all day; last trip departs from downtown at 10:35 p.m. (Thurs–Sat) and 7:05 p.m. (Sun)
- Green Line (12th & Imperial ↔ El Cajon Transit Center):
- 15-minute service most of the day; last trip departs from downtown at 1:08 a.m. (Thurs–Sat) and 11:38 p.m. (Sun)
- Orange Line (Courthouse ↔ El Cajon Transit Center):
- 15-minute service most of the day; last trip departs from downtown at 12:26 a.m. (Thurs–Sat) and at 11:56 p.m. (Sun)
- UC San Diego Blue Line – South (San Ysidro ↔ America Plaza):
- 7.5-minute service most of the day; last trip departs from downtown at 12:07 a.m. (Thurs–Sun)
- UC San Diego Blue Line – North (America Plaza ↔ UTC):
- 15-minute service most of the day; last trip departs from downtown at 1:23 a.m. (Thurs–Sat) and at 11:08 p.m. (Sun)
- COASTER
- North County residents can ride the COASTER from seven coastal stations, with trains running nearly every hour. Transfer at Santa Fe Depot to the MTS Green Line or Special Event Line for a seamless ride to the Convention Center.
Transit Tips for Comic-Con Riders:
Safety First: With large crowds expected, safety is a top priority. Riders can find helpful safety tips on the MTS Comic-Con webpage, including best practices for riding in costume and using public transit safely.
Park & Ride Options Including Snapdragon Stadium
Avoid downtown traffic by using one of MTS’ free Park & Ride lots throughout the county. Parking is also free at every COASTER station. Additionally, Snapdragon Stadium will offer over 1,000 paid parking spaces with direct access to the Green Line.
- Parking is $15 per day (or $12 if purchased in advance) on July 24, 26, and 27
- No Comic-Con parking on Friday, July 25 due to a soccer match
- Lots open at 8 a.m., no new entries after 4 p.m. (exit anytime)
A full list of Park & Ride lots is available on the MTS website. Top locations include:
- Nobel Drive (Blue Line North – 289 spots)
- Arrive early – parking is typically full by 8 a.m. on weekdays
- Balboa Ave Transit Center (Blue Line North & Special Event Line – 225 spots)
- Tecolote Road (Blue Line North & Special Event Line – 275 spots)
- Old Town Transit Center (Blue Line North, Green Line & Special Event Line – 400+ spots)
- Overflow parking option available across the street at Caltrans District 11 – After 5 p.m. Weekdays & All Weekend Only (4050 Taylor St., San Diego, CA, 92110, 300+ additional free parking spots)
- El Cajon Transit Center (Green Line & Orange Line – 469 spots)
- Amaya Drive (Green Line and Orange Line – 236 free parking spots)
- Grossmont Transit Center (Green Line & Orange Line – 220 spots)
- Spring Street (Orange Line – 235 spots)
- E Street (Blue Line South – 265 spots)
- H Street (Blue Line South – 295 free parking spots)
Paying for Fares: Convention goers should download the PRONTO app in advance and load a Comic-Con pass or at least $5 on the virtual card, which covers a round-trip fare for adults. Riders must tap or scan their PRONTO card/app before boarding to ensure a smooth and speedy ride.
Contactless Payment: Comic-Con fans now have the option to simply tap a credit card or other contactless payment options, such as a smartphone or smartwatch, on any station validator to pay for a one-way ride ($2.50 for Trolley and bus and $6.50 for COASTER, valid for two hours). This allows attendees to bypass the ticket vending machine and speed up wait times.
Each rider must have their own PRONTO card or app, or other payment method; fares cannot be shared across devices or payment methods.
Families ride for less: On weekends, two children (12 and under) ride free on Trolley and bus with every paying adult—no ticket needed. All youth 5 and under ride free all day, any day; no pass required. Youth 18 and under ride free with a registered Youth PRONTO card or app through the Youth Opportunity Pass program (must have a valid Youth PRONTO card).
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 92 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2024, MTS served more than 75 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
About NCTD
The North County Transit – San Diego Railroad is a public transportation agency providing critical multi-modal services throughout North San Diego County and into downtown San Diego. NCTD is designated as a rail common carrier by the Surface Transportation Board based on the movement of interstate commerce on the tracks and the Railroad of Record by the Federal Railroad Administration responsible for safety over the entire San Diego portion of the LOSSAN corridor, the nation’s second largest passenger rail network. NCTD’s system includes BREEZE buses (with FLEX service), COASTER commuter trains, SPRINTER hybrid rail trains, LIFT paratransit service, and NCTD+ On-Demand and is one of only three public transit agencies in the nation to operate heavy rail, hybrid rail, and bus service. For more information visit: GoNCTD.com.
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