NYE Travel Tips
Transportation tips for getting around Austin on New Year's Eve
Your plans are made, your tickets purchased and your ultimate party outfit is picked out. Now there is only one thing left to figure out — how are you going to get home on New Year's Eve?
If you're planning on raging, it's best to have a plan to get yourself home, too. We gathered a few options to keep you safe and out of the driver's seat this December 31.
MetroBus and MetroRapid
Capital Metro is offering free service on its MetroBus and MetroRapid lines on Wednesday beginning at 6 pm. Local MetroBus service will be operating on a normal weekday schedule on New Year's Eve, but will be running on a Sunday schedule on New Year's Day.
Also available on December 31 are five Night Owl routes that run to and from Sixth Street and Congress Avenue every 30 minutes from midnight until 3 am. (Night Owl routes run north to south. Maps and schedule can be found here.) E-Buses and UT Shuttles will not be in service.
Final downtown departures for MetroRapid buses will begin along Guadalupe and Lavaca streets at 2:30 am on Thursday. MetroRapid will operate on a Sunday schedule for New Year's Day.
MetroRail
In addition to being free for riders beginning at 6 pm on Wednesday, MetroRail will also be extending its hours. The last train will leave the Downtown Station at 2:30 am on Thursday morning. MetroRail will not be in service on New Year's Day.
MetroBus, MetroRapid and MetroRail service will resume regular weekday schedules on Friday, January 2, with the exception of UT Shuttle and E-Bus service, which will not be in service.
Cab service and TNCs
Yellow Cab — Download the Hail a Cap app here, book online here, or call 512-452-9999.
Lyft — Lyft is teaming up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to promote safe roads this New Year's Eve. Lyft will donate $1 to MADD for anyone who takes the pledge to not drink and drive this holiday. Download the app here.
Uber — Like Lyft, Uber is also teaming up with MAAD. Uber will give $1 for every ride in Austin using the promo code “MADDNYE." In order to donate, Uber customers must book between 6 pm on New Year’s Eve and 6 am the next morning. Download the app here.
No refusal day
Lest you feel the need to tempt fate on New Year's, the Austin Police Department has issued a no refusal day for New Year's Eve. In addition to putting more police officers on the streets, APD will begin issuing blood search warrants on DUI suspects who refuse to give a breath or blood specimen. The initiative begins at 9 pm on December 31 and ends at 5 am the following morning.