Lexington, Kentucky, November 28, 2025
On Thanksgiving Day, Lexington, Kentucky, experienced a surge in travel activity with free public transit services offered by Lextran. Passengers enjoyed rides without fare on a modified Sunday schedule, though some routes were suspended for the day. The local airport anticipated a significant number of travelers, contributing to the busiest Thanksgiving travel period projected in 15 years across the nation. Authorities urged passengers to arrive early and plan ahead for a smooth holiday journey.
Lexington, Kentucky: Thanksgiving Day Travel Sees Increased Activity with Free Public Transit Services
Lexington, Kentucky – On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, Lexington experienced a notable uptick in travel activity, with local authorities implementing measures to accommodate the increased demand. The city’s public transit service, Lextran, offered free rides to all passengers, operating on a Sunday schedule. However, certain routes were not in service for the day.
Lextran’s Thanksgiving Day Service
In an effort to enhance transportation accessibility during the holiday season, Lextran waived fares for all passengers on Thanksgiving Day. The service followed a Sunday schedule, with specific routes suspended for the day. These routes included:
- Route 14: UK Blue and White Routes
- Route 16: Southland Drive
- Route 17: Northside Connector
- Route 18: Centre Parkway Connector
- Route 22: Mercer Road
- Route 24: Old Frankfort Pike
- Route 27: UK Yellow Route
- Route 51: Night – Woodhill Drive
- Route 52: Night – Georgetown Road
- Route 58: Night – Versailles Road
- Route 59: Night – Eastland
Normal service resumed on Friday, November 28. Passengers were encouraged to utilize Lextran’s text-for-next feature by texting “LX” followed by their bus stop number to 321-123 for upcoming departures. Additionally, the MyStop Mobile app provided real-time bus tracking and trip planning for Lextran routes.
Increased Travel Activity in Lexington
Lexington’s public transit services were not the only aspect of the city experiencing heightened activity. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, serving the greater Lexington area, anticipated over 200,000 travelers between Sunday, November 23, and Sunday, November 30. The busiest days were expected to be Wednesday, November 26, and Sunday, November 30. Passengers were advised to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights due to the high volume of travelers.
National Travel Trends
Nationwide, the Thanksgiving travel period in 2025 was projected to be the busiest in 15 years, with over 360,000 flights scheduled across the U.S., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The peak travel day was expected to be Tuesday, November 25, with over 52,000 flights. While a recent government shutdown had previously led to staffing shortages and flight cancellations, normal operations had resumed, and the FAA assured readiness for the holiday rush.
Travel Tips
Travelers were advised to prepare thoroughly for the holiday season. Recommendations included checking TSA guidelines, packing efficiently, and monitoring flight and road conditions. Tips encompassed using airline apps, checking “feels like” temperatures for packing, and leaving early to avoid peak traffic. Drivers were encouraged to perform vehicle checks before hitting the road and expect delays from mid-afternoon Wednesday through Sunday.
Conclusion
As Lexington and the broader region experienced increased travel activity during the Thanksgiving holiday, measures such as free public transit services and heightened airport preparedness were implemented to accommodate the surge. Travelers were encouraged to plan ahead, stay informed about potential delays, and utilize available resources to ensure a smooth and safe holiday journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What services did Lextran offer on Thanksgiving Day?
Lextran provided free rides to all passengers on Thanksgiving Day, operating on a Sunday schedule. Certain routes were not in service for the day.
Which Lextran routes were suspended on Thanksgiving Day?
The following routes were not in service on Thanksgiving Day: Route 14, Route 16, Route 17, Route 18, Route 22, Route 24, Route 27, Route 51, Route 52, Route 58, and Route 59.
How can I check upcoming Lextran bus departures?
Passengers can use Lextran’s text-for-next feature by texting “LX” followed by their bus stop number to 321-123 for upcoming departures. Additionally, the MyStop Mobile app provides real-time bus tracking and trip planning for Lextran routes.
What are the busiest travel days at Cincinnati/NKY International Airport during Thanksgiving?
The busiest days at the Cincinnati/NKY International Airport during the Thanksgiving period were expected to be Wednesday, November 26, and Sunday, November 30. Passengers were advised to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights due to the high volume of travelers.
What are some travel tips for the Thanksgiving holiday?
Travelers were advised to check TSA guidelines, pack efficiently, and monitor flight and road conditions. Tips included using airline apps, checking “feels like” temperatures for packing, and leaving early to avoid peak traffic. Drivers were encouraged to perform vehicle checks before hitting the road and expect delays from mid-afternoon Wednesday through Sunday.
FAQ Schema
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What services did Lextran offer on Thanksgiving Day?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Lextran provided free rides to all passengers on Thanksgiving Day, operating on a Sunday schedule. Certain routes were not in service for the day."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Which Lextran routes were suspended on Thanksgiving Day?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "The following routes were not in service on Thanksgiving Day: Route 14, Route 16, Route 17, Route 18, Route 22, Route 24, Route 27, Route 51, Route 52, Route 58, and Route 59."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How can I check upcoming Lextran bus departures?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Passengers can use Lextran's text-for-next feature by texting 'LX' followed by their bus stop number to 321-123 for upcoming departures. Additionally, the MyStop Mobile app provides real-time bus tracking and trip planning for Lextran routes."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What are the busiest travel days at Cincinnati/NKY International Airport during Thanksgiving?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "The busiest days at the Cincinnati/NKY International Airport during the Thanksgiving period were expected to be Wednesday, November 26, and Sunday, November 30. Passengers were advised to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights due to the high volume of travelers."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What are some travel tips for the Thanksgiving holiday?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Travelers were advised to check TSA guidelines, pack efficiently, and monitor flight and road conditions. Tips included using airline apps, checking 'feels like' temperatures for packing, and leaving early to avoid peak traffic. Drivers were encouraged to perform vehicle checks before hitting the road and expect delays from mid-afternoon Wednesday through Sunday."
}
}
]
}
Key Features of Thanksgiving Day Travel in Lexington
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Free Public Transit | Lextran offered free rides to all passengers on Thanksgiving Day, operating on a Sunday schedule. Certain routes were not in service for the day. |
| Increased Airport Traffic | The Cincinnati/NKY International Airport anticipated over 200,000 travelers between November 23 and November 30, with the busiest days being November 26 and November 30. |
| National Travel Trends | The Thanksgiving travel period in 2025 was projected to be the busiest in 15 years, with over 360,000 flights scheduled across the U.S., according to the FAA. |
| Travel Tips | Travelers were advised to check TSA guidelines, pack efficiently, and monitor flight and road conditions. Tips included using airline apps, checking “feels like” temperatures for packing, and leaving early to avoid peak traffic. |
Now Happening on X
- @LEX18News (November 25, 2025, 5:30 PM): Lexington’s Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention activated its Emergency Winter Weather Plan on Tuesday, providing expanded shelter capacity and services as freezing temperatures are expected to hit the area. View on X
- @FOX56News (November 27, 2025, 1:22 AM): Lexington’s Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention activated the Emergency Winter Weather Plan on Wednesday. View on X
- @LEX18News (November 26, 2025, 2:03 AM): Lexington police are investigating a shooting in the 1700 block of Jennifer Road around 7:15 p.m., where a male victim arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. View on X
- @LEX18News (November 21, 2025, 5:49 PM): The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the victim reported dead following a shooting on Blazer Parkway Thursday night. View on X
- @WKYT (November 26, 2025, 2:10 PM): The community’s Emergency Winter Weather Plan will be activated starting Wednesday evening, November 26. View on X
- @LEX18News (November 25, 2025, 1:15 PM): Lexington police are investigating after a woman showed up at a local hospital on Monday night with reported non-life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound. View on X
- @WVLK (November 26, 2025, 7:01 PM): Emergency Winter Weather Plan in place for Lexington. View on X
- @FOX56News (November 26, 2025, 2:26 PM): While investigating a shooting call on Jennifer Road, police said a male who had been shot showed up at an area hospital. View on X
- @FOX56News (November 26, 2025, 6:55 AM): A fundraiser has been set up after a man was shot and killed on Thursday near Blazer Parkway in Lexington. View on X
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington Police Enhance Patrols for Blackout Wednesday Safety
University of Kentucky’s Weekend of Service Enhances Equine Industry
Man Injured in Second Lexington Shooting Near Tates Creek Campus
Louisville and Southern Indiana Unveil Festive Holiday Events
Fayette County Public Schools Achieve Significant Academic Progress
Unseasonably Warm Temperatures in Lexington Tomorrow
Lextran Offers Free Rides on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Travel Surge Expected in Kentucky
Christmas Tree Arrives at Triangle Park in Lexington
Controversies Surround Fayette County Schools’ New Academic Year
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
