Here’s the honest truth: Most major transit systems run on New Year’s Day, but they run on a Sunday or holiday schedule. Think of it as the transit version of a “skeleton crew”—the bones are there, but the flesh of frequent service is missing.
In cities like New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo, trains will get you home after the ball drops and back out for brunch. But don’t expect the 3-minute headways you get on a Tuesday morning. You’ll be waiting—maybe 20 minutes, maybe 45 if you’re near a suburban branch line. Pro tip: Check the system’s app before you leave your apartment, unless you enjoy existential platform debates.
