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PSA: Sydney is officially pulling an all-nighter. For the first time ever, trains and metro services will run for 24 hours for the 2026 Mardi Gras parade – with bars, clubs and live music venues across Oxford Street cleared to trade until 6am. Consider this your official permission slip to stay out dancing until sunrise.
The NSW Government has announced a full-scale transport boost for the big night on Saturday, February 28, with round-the-clock services locked in to help party people get to and from the parade (and onto their respective after parties). It’s a timely move following the late cancellation of the official afterparty – and a nod to the fact that Sydney’s night-time economy is still on the up.
On the transport front, it’s sounding genuinely impressive. Metro trains will run every five to ten minutes from 5pm until 2am, then every 20 minutes through to 5am, before rolling back into regular Sunday frequency. The 24-hour format follows two years of successful all-night services on New Year’s Eve – but this is the first time Mardi Gras has scored the same treatment.
Sydney Trains will also operate a 24-hour service across the City Circle and key lines including the T1 Western and North Shore, T2 Inner West, T9 Northern and T4 Eastern Suburbs (with services to Bondi Junction running until 3am Sunday). Light rail will tick along all night on the L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford lines, with services every 15 to 20 minutes.
Prefer the bus? Routes 370 and 343 will run 24 hours, bolstered by around 300 extra services into the city from the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and North Shore, plus additional NightRide buses.
On the ground, major road closures will be in place from 4pm to 2am, so public transport really is your best bet. For northern-side viewing in Darlinghurst, aim for Town Hall, St James, Martin Place or Kings Cross stations, or Gadigal Metro. Watching from Surry Hills? Central is your go-to, while Moore Park Light Rail stop will get you close to the Flinders Street action.
The late-night transport boost aligns with special event trading hours allowing eligible hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, nightclubs and live music venues within the Oxford Street cultural and creative precinct to stay open until 6am on Sunday, March 1.
As Transport Minister John Graham put it, “A great night out and good transport go hand in hand.” And with tens of thousands expected to flood the city for one of Australia’s sparkliest celebrations, this year’s MG is shaping up nicely.
Plan ahead via transportnsw.info or the Opal Travel app – and maybe pencil in a recovery yum cha to bring you back to life on Sunday.
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