Los Angeles, December 06, 2025
Southern California’s public transit systems are offering special holiday travel discounts and promotions to ease city travel costs during the Christmas season. LA Metro provides free rides on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, while Metrolink offers a $10 unlimited rides Holiday Pass on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day to facilitate commuter mobility.
Free Transit on Key Holidays
LA Metro has announced free systemwide rides on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Day (January 1). These offers allow passengers unlimited access without requiring tickets or passes, aiming to support ridership on popular holiday travel dates.
Complementing this, Metrolink is providing a $10 Holiday Pass that grants unlimited rides on all Metrolink trains as well as free transfers to local transit operators including LA Metro. This pass is valid on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day with no identification or promo code needed, enabling flexibility for daily travel during these holidays.
Additional Transportation Offers and Promotions
Beyond these key transit providers, several organizations have announced seasonal offers:
Busbud, a ground transportation booking platform, is distributing coupon codes and gifts cards—such as a $5 gift card on orders exceeding $55—valid through December 25. These promotions apply broadly to ground travel options, not specific to city transit.
Greyhound continues its winter discount program, typically offering 10% off select fares. However, it does not have exclusive Christmas-specific promotions for urban commuters.
Tourist-oriented services like Big Bus Tours in Los Angeles have introduced seasonal discounts up to 30% off, including special holiday light tours. These deals mainly target visitors rather than regular city transit users.
Context on Local Transit and Event Travel
For local events like Pasadena’s annual Christmas Tree Lane festival, regional transit fares remain standard. Pasadena Transit’s round-trip adult fare is approximately $1.50, with no special holiday discounts noted for this period.
These targeted discounts and promotions collectively aim to reduce travel expenses for residents and visitors who navigate Southern California’s transit networks during the holiday season.
As urban centers experience increased travel demand around Christmas, such offers from LA Metro and Metrolink provide critical cost-saving opportunities. Business leaders, policymakers, and commuters can consider these options for efficient and affordable holiday mobility.