Get to Comic-Con in a Flash with MTS!

Download Press Conference B-Roll and Photos.

San Diego- The 2023 edition of Comic-Con is here! The world-renowned convention is expected to draw over 200,000 comic book and movie fans from all over the world and MTS will be at the ready to accommodate attendees to ensure a worry and traffic-free experience. 

“Comic-Con is a great opportunity for San Diego to showcase why it is “America’s Finest City” and a big part of that showcase is our public transportation system,” said Stephen Whitburn, Chair of MTS and City Council Member for District 3. “MTS is proud to be an important transit resource for thousands of attendees so that may enjoy themselves without having to worry about traffic or parking.”

Getting to San Diego Comic-Con: San Diego Convention Center, Wednesday, July 19, 2023 - 6:00pm - Sunday, July 23, 2023 - 7:00pm

• Special Event Line: A special Trolley line will operate between the Balboa Avenue Transit Center and 12th & Imperial Transit Center every 15 minutes, Thursday July 20th, through Saturday, July 23rd, to accommodate large crowds starting at 6:55 a.m. and ending at 10:35 p.m. at Gaslamp Quarter Station. This line will be available every 15 minutes on Sunday, July 23rd from 6:55 a.m. until 7:05 p.m. The Special Event Line will serve UC San Diego Blue Line stations between Balboa Avenue and Santa Fe Depot, and then will continue along the Green Line path between Santa Fe Depot and 12th & Imperial. 

• Green Line: Will operate on MTS standard 15-minute service. All three Comic Con Stations (Convention Center, Gaslamp and 12th & Imperial) can be accessed directly along the Green Line. The Green Line will have extended 15-minute service to Santee 9:53 p.m. on Wednesday July 19 and will have two additional shuttles available. Last trips departing from Gaslamp Quarter Station on Wednesday will depart to Santee and SDSU at 10:08 p.m. & 11:38 p.m., respectively. Between Thursday, July 20th, to Saturday, July 22nd, MTS will operate 15- minute service to Santee until 10:38 p.m. and 15-minute service to SDSU until 12:08 a.m. Gaslamp Quarter Station will have the 3 final trips to Santee, El Cajon and SDSU at 11:08 p.m., 12:38 a.m. and 1:08 a.m. On Sunday, July 23rd, 15-minute service will be offered to Santee and SDSU starting at 6:38 p.m. and 8:38 p.m. Last trips departing from Gaslamp Quarter Station towards El Cajon and Santee will do so at 10:08 p.m. and the last trip from Gaslamp Quarter Station towards SDSU will depart at 11: 38 p.m.

• Orange Line: Will operate on standard 15 minute-MTS service until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19th, with a final trip scheduled for 11:56 p.m. departing from Imperial Transit Station. MTS will operate 15-minute service until 11:38 p.m. from Thursday July 20th, to Saturday, July 22nd, with the last trip departing from Imperial Transit Station at 1:23 a.m. Sunday, July 23rd, will also feature 15-minute service ending at 8:08 p.m., with a final trip departing from 12th & Imperial Transit Center at 11:08 p.m.

• UC San Diego Blue Line (towards San Ysidro and South Bay):  Serving all stations every 7.5-minutes until 8:22 p.m. starting on Thursday July 20th, to Saturday July 22nd, and until 7:22 p.m. on Sunday, July 23rd. MTS will operate standard 15-minute service after 8:22 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday until 12:07 a.m. and 15-minute service after 7:22 p.m. on Sunday until 11:37 p.m. Final trips for those 4 days will be at 12:07 a.m. from 12th & Imperial Transit Center.

• UC San Diego Blue Line (towards UTC): Serving all stations every 15-minutes on Wednesday, July 19th until 9:23 p.m., with one additional northbound trip and a final trip at 11:08 p.m. departing from the 12th & Imperial Transit Center. MTS will operate 15-minute service from Thursday July 20th, to Saturday July 22nd, until 11:38 p.m., with a final trip departing from the Imperial Transit Station at 1:23 a.m. Sunday, July 23rd, will also feature 15-minute service until 8:08 p.m., with a final trip departing from the Imperial Transit Station at 11:08 p.m.

• Gillespie - Santee Trolley Shuttle: Starting on Thursday July 20th and will operate on MTS standard 15-minute service. The Green Line will end and start at Gillespie Field. Passengers who need service to and from Santee will use the Santee Trolley shuttle and transfer at Gillespie. Shuttle will operate from Thursday July 20th to Saturday July 23rd from the morning to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 23rd, from the morning to 8:00 p.m.

MTS has three transit stations that will provide direct access to Comic-Con:

• Convention Center – Served by Green Line and Special Event Line Trolleys
• Gaslamp Quarter – Served by Green Line and Special Event Line Trolleys
• 12th & Imperial – Served by Green Line, Orange Line, UC San Diego Blue Line, and Special Event Line Trolleys

Park and Ride Locations:

• Balboa Avenue (UC San Diego Blue Line & Special Event Line): 227 free spots
• Tecolote Road (UC San Diego Blue Line & Special Event Line): 279 free spots
• Old Town Transit Center (UC San Diego Blue Line, Green Line & Special Event Line): 412 free spots
• Nobel Drive (UC San Diego Blue Line): 289 free spots
• El Cajon Transit Center (Green & Orange Line): 469 free spots
• Massachusetts Avenue Station (Orange Line): 241 free spots
• Palm Avenue Station (UC San Diego Blue Line): 499 free spots
• Bayfront/E Street Station (UC San Diego Blue Line): 267 free spots

Comic-Con Day Passes:

• Purchase Comic-Con Discounted Passes ahead of time and you’ll be set for the whole convention.
• Discounted two, three, four, and five-day Comic-Con passes are available for purchase.
• Comic-Con transit passes will be available through the new PRONTO fare system. For the fastest service, download the PRONTO app on your Apple or Android devices. PRONTO cards will be available at ticket machines, but crowds may cause significant delays.
• There will be no manual sales of tickets at this year's Comic-Con event.
• Passengers must use the PRONTO app or purchase a fare at the PRONTO ticket machine.
• Discounted one-way fares are available for senior riders.
• Riders 18 and under with a registered Youth PRONTO card or app account can also ride free with the Youth Opportunity Pass.
• Riders must tap their fare on a platform fare validator prior to boarding!

Safety on Board

Safety is always a priority, but especially with large crowds on and around MTS stations. Please remember these important safety tips.

• Follow staff instructions. MTS team members, including operators, station passenger support staff and security members, are on-site to help direct passengers, aid and remind riders of best practices. Please listen to staff instructions, especially as it relates to safety on or around Trolley tracks.

• Contact MTS Security 24/7. The MTS security team is always a text or call away (619-595-4960). If you see something, say something.  Riders who experience any harassment, suspicious or illegal behavior, should contact security dispatch directly and right away.

• No weapons on board. We do love seeing so many costumed riders on board during Comic-Con, with one exception. No weapons – real or simulated – are allowed on board MTS buses or Trolleys. If traveling with cosplay props or accessories on board (i.e. lightsabers, proton blasters, etc.), MTS security team members will inspect those items and tag them as safe as needed. You may be asked to exit the vehicle if you are deemed to be traveling with an unsafe item.

• Think FAST (Fun and Safe Transit): A few key reminders for crowded stations include: Always stand behind the yellow line when waiting on a platform, only cross tracks in designated areas and remove any headphones or audio impairing devices when on the platform so you can hear train and staff announcements.

About MTS

The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates more than 100 bus routes and three 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 220,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2022, MTS served more than 57 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.

###