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Comic-Con International returns to downtown San Diego Thursday through Sunday, and with attendance expected to reach over 130,000, it is one of San Diego’s busiest events of the year.
Here’s what to know about transportation, road closures and parking as people from all over the U.S. and around the world arrive to attend the convention.
Shuttles
Comic-Con has a free shuttle service to the San Diego Convention Center that stops in downtown, Mission Valley and hotels near the airport on Shelter Island and Harbor Island. The shuttle starts running on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to midnight for Preview Night. From Thursday to Saturday, the shuttle runs from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. It also runs from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Badge holders need to show their Comic-Con badge in order to ride. The schedule for the shuttle service can be found at comic-con.org/cc/plan-your-visit/shuttles.
Public transit
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) offers a regular trolley service that stops in front of the San Diego Convention Center in two different spots: across from Hall A at the Convention Center Station on Harbor Drive and First Avenue, as well as near Hall D at the Gaslamp Station on Harbor Drive and Fifth Avenue.
MTS is also expanding trolley service for the convention week with an event line sponsored by Magic: The Gathering. The newly branded line will include game-themed elements like maps, rider guides, station announcements and digital displays. It will run along parts of the Blue and Green Lines.
On the way to Comic-Con, attendees can take the Magic: The Gathering Event Line and Green Line trolleys to the Convention Center and 12th and Imperial stations. Other options are to take the UC San Diego Blue Line or Orange Line to the 12th & Imperial station. On the way back from Comic-Con, attendees can take the Magic: The Gathering Event Line, and from there, they can transfer to the Orange Line or Blue Line.
Those visiting San Diego for Comic-Con can also purchase multi-day Comic-Con day passes from MTS through the PRONTO app.
More information about MTS Comic-Con schedules, maps and tickets can be found at sdmts.com/rider-info/events/comic-con.
Attendees traveling via public transit from farther away can take the COASTER train, which runs from Oceanside to downtown San Diego. The train stops at the Santa Fe Train Depot in downtown, close to the San Diego Convention Center. From there, trolleys run to the front of the convention center.
Road closure
Drivers should note that the segment of Harbor Drive between First Avenue and Park Boulevard will be completely closed to all forms of vehicular traffic during Comic-Con. However, exhibitors and attendees with valid parking passes for the ACE parking garage beneath the San Diego Convention Center will be allowed to drive through. This restriction will be enforced on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Parking
The MTS recommends parking in free park and ride lots before taking public transit to get to Comic-Con. This year, the Clairemont Drive park and ride lot is available to riders during Comic-Con for the first time. Additional parking for the convention is available at the yellow lot of the Station Stadium in Mission Valley. The MTS lists suggested parking locations for each line on their website: sdmts.com/rider-info/events/comic-con.
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