Comic-Con Draws Huge Crowds to Downtown

More than 135,000 people are filling the San Diego Convention Center through Sunday for the 55th Comic-Con event, the city's largest annual convention.

Comic-Con 2024 runs through Sunday. It generates a regional impact of more than $160 million, which includes both direct and indirect spending by visitors.

Getting to the Convention Center can be easier said than done. Parking can be expensive and frustrating.

The Metropolitan Transit System has a special event line for the trolley between the Balboa Avenue Transit Center and 12th & Imperial Transit Center every 15 minutes, through Saturday to accommodate large crowds starting at 6:55 a.m. and ending at 10:35p.m. at Gaslamp Quarter Station.

Additionally, children 12 and younger ride free with paying adults.  Trolley lines will run increased service throughout the convention. One caveat to cosplayers: No weapons -- real or simulated -- are allowed on MTS transportation.

Convention visitors using MTS Trolleys and buses can get discounted two-, three-, four-, and five-day transit passes in the PRONTO mobile app starting at $10.

Comic-Con attendees using NCTD's COASTER service can ride for five days and pay for three with the COASTER 5-pack. Additionally, both MTS and the North County Transit District just last week added a contactless payment option, meaning no Pronto card is necessary.

San Diego's police and fire-rescue departments have committed additional resources to ensure the safety of visitors both inside and outside of the Convention Center. Harbor Drive between First Avenue and Park Boulevard is closed through Sunday to allow for a safe pedestrian environment.

(Photo Getty Images)