Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of New York City’s three major airports, along with John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
While it’s in New Jersey, it is so close to New York City that millions of travelers each year visiting NYC fly into Newark.
As a New Yorker who travels quite a bit, I’ve flown through Newark Airport since the 1980s.
I’ve watched it age over the past 20 years, but one thing that has stayed the same is the great transportation to and from the airport.
This is one of the reasons that I tell my guests on my walking tours for Tours By Foot NYC that they should consider using Newark on a future trip.
In this post, I’ll tell you how to get from Newark to Manhattan and other parts of New York City.
I include transport by bus, train, shuttle, private car, taxi, and rideshares. You can see there are a lot of options!
At the end of this post, I’ll share some of my thoughts on Newark Airport and why you may or may not want to fly through it.
In this video, my fellow tour guide Katie, here at Tours By Foot NYC, briefly explains your options to get to NYC from Newark Airport.
The post goes into more detail.
- NJ Transit Train
- Shuttle Buses and Shared Vans
- How to Save on Airport Transfers
- Public Bus
- Taxis and Private Car Services
- Ride Share (Uber)
QUICK TIP: For exact directions from Newark Airport to your destination use this link to Google Maps.
For your return trip from Manhattan to Newark International Airport use this link.
Flying into another NYC airport? Check out these posts:
AirTrain + New Jersey Transit Train
The AirTrain connects Newark Airport to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan via New Jersey Transit trains in roughly 30 minutes.
You can also connect to an Amtrak train from the AirTrain but the fare is much higher, so this option isn't included in this post.
The AirTrain service started in 1996 and was a real game-changer for those of us flying out of Newark who didn't have a car.
This option is fast, affordable and easy.
As far as schedules, the AirTrain operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That's fabulous news!
New Jersey Transit also operates 365 days a year.
On weekdays, between 6 am and 9 pm, at least six NJ Transit trains arrive every hour at the Newark Airport AirTrain station.
Between 9 pm and midnight, four trains arrive every hour.
One frustration about the AirTrain to Manhattan option is that the New Jersey Transit train service does not run around the clock.
Service stops between 1 am and 5 am, so you will need an alternative option between the AirTrain and Manhattan.
I'm from NYC so I feel comfortable with the alternative which is to take a bus and then the NJ PATH train (the equivalent of New York City's subway).
But I don't recommend this for anyone new to the city or who needs to get to Manhattan fast. It takes about one hour and 45 minutes!
Here are step-by-step instructions:
After claiming your baggage, follow the signs to the AirTrain station.
Purchase your train ticket from NJ Transit ticket machines at the AirTrain station (see prices below).
Board the AirTrain from your terminal and get off at the only stop it goes to: Newark Liberty International Airport Station.
From there, transfer to a NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station. (There is a Newark Penn Station. Do not get off there!)
The lines that service the airport are the North Jersey Coast Line and the Northeast Corridor Line.
Use this helpful NJ Transit Trip Planner to see schedules.
The AirTrain costs $8.50 one-way (free for 11 and under).
Conveniently when you buy your NJ Transit ticket to or from Newark Liberty International Airport Station, the $8.50 is included in the price so you do not need to buy two tickets.
Cost
One-Way Ticket (including the AirTrain)
- $17.10 Adult
- $12.50 Child (age 5-11) | Senior | Disabled
- Up to three children (ages 4 and under) ride free with a passenger paying any valid fare.
Travel Time: 30-50 minutes to New York Penn Station depending on the time of day.
The NJ Transit train goes to New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan (W. 32nd Street and 7th Avenue), where you can easily get to your destination by taxi or via subway.
Pros:
Here's what I tell my tour guests. Trains come frequently. The entire trip is fast, around 30 minutes depending on the time of day. It's THE cheapest of the transport options.
Cons:
First, depending on where you are staying in New York, you could still have a bit of traveling to go to your accommodations from Penn Station.
Second - and importantly - if you have a lot of luggage, this option can be a hassle since you'll be moving around a lot.
First, you have to get on the AirTrain. The cars are small so it can be a tight squeeze with many bags.
Then you must transfer to a NJ Transit train to Penn Station.
At Penn Station will have to use some amount of stairs, though there are narrow escalators.
Second, you still have to get to your hotel which means taking a taxi or Uber or getting onto a subway (which involves lots of stairs)
My advice if you've got several clunky suitcases? Look at the other options. Trust me, I learned the hard way.
NJ TRANSIT AND PATH TRAINS TO LOWER MANHATTAN
The above option is the fastest to get to Midtown Manhattan.
But if your destination is Jersey City, Hoboken, Lower Manhattan, or certain parts of Brooklyn, there is a better alternative.
Take the AirTrain to a NJ Transit Train, just like explained above, but rather than heading to New York Penn Station, get off at Newark Penn Station, which is just a 4-minute ride from the airport.
From Newark Penn Station, switch to the PATH Train (New Jersey's subway system) in the direction of NYC.
The PATH trains stop in the New Jersey cities of Jersey City and Hoboken.
This is perfect if you are staying at a hotel in either city. You might want to consider this to save some money.
Depending on the line, PATH trains head into either the Lower Manhattan/World Trade Center area or run up through Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and then Midtown Manhattan.
The World Trade Center (WTC) line ends at the Fulton Street Transit Center.
From here it is a quicker ride to some parts of Brooklyn compared to the time it would take from New York Penn Station.
Use this link to Google Maps to see which is fastest for you or use the NJ Transit Trip Planner.
Cost
One-Way Ticket:
- $14.70 Adult
- $11.30 Child (age 5-11) | Senior | Disabled
- Up to three children (ages 4 and under) ride free with a passenger paying any valid fare
Travel Time: 45-60 minutes to World Trade Center depending on the time of day
TIP: I live in Downtown Brooklyn (you can see it on the map above). I prefer taking the AirTrain + NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, then a subway to get home.
Going by AirTrain + NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station, then the PATH train into Manhattan is only worth it if you are staying right near the PATH train stations in Manhattan.
If not, you have to add on a subway ride ON TOP of the three other trains.
Shuttle Buses and Shared Vans from Newark Airport to Manhattan
Shuttle bus services are another option. Shared van services are typically associated with cities with robust vehicular infrastructure.
New York City isn't exactly a driver's paradise. Still, you may want to consider this service and here's why.
Ride-sharing services, like GoAirLink and SuperShuttle, offer the door-to-door benefits of a taxi but can be significantly cheaper, depending on the number of travelers with you.
It's easy to book service.
You can request GoAirLink NYC and SuperShuttle from the ground transportation desk in the baggage claim area at Newark Airport.
You will be assigned to a van with other passengers heading to the same general area as you.
You can also book online in advance.
Cost: It depends on your destination from the airport.
As a point of reference, the cost from Newark International Airport to Port Authority in Midtown Manhattan will cost you around $40 per person with up to two bags.
This includes tunnel tolls and taxes.
This is a pretty good price to get picked up at the airport and dropped off at your door without having to transfer from multiple modes of transport!
You can save money as Groupon often runs deals.
Travel Time: Varies. If you are sharing a full van (11 passengers), you might be the first dropped off or you might be the last.
Pros: It has the convenience of a taxi but is much cheaper.
Cons: It can take a very long time. Passengers often have to wait at the airport until there are enough people for a mostly full van, so plan to sit and wait for a bit.
Of course, the biggest con is the risk of being last to be dropped off!
How to Save on Airport Transfers
There are several ways to save money on airport transfers, but one of the easiest is to use a New York tourist pass.
Currently, the New York Turbopass is the only pass offering a free airport transfer to EWR.
They also include admission to popular attractions such as the following:
- Radio City Music Hall Tour
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- One World Observatory
- Liberty Helicopter Tour
- Madame Tussauds
- Speed Boat Tour
- And more!
If you're already considering any of these activities and you want a free airport transfer, these passes can save money on everything, not just airport transfers.
For more details, check our post covering New York tourist passes.
Newark Express Bus to Manhattan
Newark Airport Express is a shuttle bus that operates express service between Newark Airport and Midtown Manhattan.
Buses run from 4 am to 1 am and depart every 15 minutes (and every 30 minutes in the very early morning or late at night).
The ride can be amazingly fast, depending on traffic.
If you are traveling in the wee early morning hours or very late at night, this bus is a serious contender.
A big advantage is it has three Midtown Manhattan stops so if you are staying in that area, you may be able to walk to any of these locations.
When I lived on the east side of Midtown Manhattan, this was my preferred mode of transport.
Pick-up/Drop-off Stops:
- Grand Central Station (E. 41st Street between Park & Lexington Avenues)
- Bryant Park (W. 42nd Street & 5th Avenue)
- Port Authority Bus Terminal (W. 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues)
Cost one way:
- $22.50 Adult (age 17+)
- $6.50 Child (16 and under)
- $11.50 Senior (62+) and Special Needs
*Tickets are valid 365 days from purchase
Travel Time: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic
Pros: Convenient for anyone staying in Midtown Manhattan, especially in the immediate vicinity of the stops.
Cons: The buses frequently run late and traffic could make the trip over an hour long.
Taxi Cabs and Private Car Services from Newark Airport
Yellow taxi cabs are at Newark Airport ready to bring you into Manhattan. There is a line to get a taxi, but it generally moves fast.
Private car services are easy to order in advance.
I caution you that if you are approached by someone offering you a ride by asking something like "Do you need a taxi?", just say no!
Always take a licensed taxi or reputable private car service.
Yellow Taxis
Taxis from Newark do not have a flat rate. That is only the case from Kohn F. Kennedy Airport to Manhattan.
This means that your fare can be steep, depending on your destination.
Total Cost: Varies depending on destination, but can be in the $60-80 range.
Travel Time: Will vary with destination and traffic conditions.
Pros: Convenient door-to-door travel. If you have many bags, this will be an easier and more pleasant experience than the multi-train options above.
Cons: Can be very expensive. It depends on where you are going and traffic conditions....and there is almost always traffic!
If price is a major concern this is not the choice for you.
Also, regular 4-door taxis can only take four people. There are taxi vans that can take 5 people, but they are not as common as the standard 4-person taxi.
If your group is larger than four people, consider a private car service.
Private Car Service
By far the most convenient, but most expensive way to get to Manhattan from Newark Airport is by private car service.
However, if you are traveling with a family or group of over four people (the limit that yellow taxis can take), this is a very good choice and is cost-effective.
If you want to book a private car before your trip, you can find many car services listed on Yelp.
Total Cost: This will vary depending on the destination. The approximate cost between Newark and Midtown Manhattan is $60 plus tolls.
Travel Time: Again, this will vary depending on the destination
Pros: Can book in advance and you will be quoted a price.
Also, heading back to the airport from NYC, you may want to take a private car service as the price may be lower than more than a taxi. Since you will get quoted a price, there are no surprises.
Cons: More costly than many of the other options. Also, like all options other than the train, you may run into traffic on your way into Manhattan.
Uber and Other Rideshare Apps
You can take Uber, Lyft, and other ride-share apps to and from Newark Airport.
There is a designated area outside where you can easily find your Uber.
Follow these instructions:
- When you are ready for your ride, open the app. Choose the EWR Airport transportation option that suits your group size and luggage needs.
- Exit the terminal on the arrivals level and follow the signs for Ground Transportation and Passenger Pick-Up. Note that rideshare pick-up locations may vary by the terminal.
- Select your terminal and door number. Then go to your assigned EWR pickup location as specified by the app. Note that the pick-up location may not always be at your nearest exit.
Prices range according to your destination and time of day.
As a point of reference, the average cost of an UberX from Newark Airport to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan at 5:00 pm (rush hour) is $60.
Use the Uber Price Estimator to see an estimate of the cost and wait time.
Read our posts on using Uber in NYC.
Thoughts on Newark Airport
I’ve flown in and out of all of New York City’s major airports, Newark International, John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia.
When flying internationally, I often use Newark Airport since flights tend to be a bit cheaper to certain destinations.
This is the only motivation I have for picking Newark since I live closer to JFK and LaGuardia.
But several aspects may be appealing to you.
Newark is a United Airlines hub so if this is the airline of your choice, Newark is for you!
Newark has direct flights from more cities. Who likes layovers, right?
It is smaller than the sprawling JFK Airport, making it easier to navigate. Newark is often less crowded.
I will say that if you are looking for a stunning airport, Newark isn’t it. Not all of it, anyway.
Currently, my favorite airport for aesthetic reasons is LaGuardia since it was renovated in 2023. It is a treat just to be in the airport!
But when I fly internationally, LaGuardia isn’t usually an option.
So, back to Newark. It had begun showing its age over the past 20 years.
I am happy to report that my most recent trip through Newark on my way to Europe in early 2024 was a fabulous experience!
The airport’s 50-year-old former Terminal A got a $2.7 billion makeover.
It’s not just prettier, it’s more efficient and bigger allowing for more flights.
It’s more family-friendly now with a children’s lending library and indoor playground. You may have a hard time getting your kids onto the plane!
Something I appreciated, as will travelers new to Newark Airport, is that it was easy to understand where to stand and move through security lines.
There are even signs that let passengers know how long the security wait is. That helps me stay much calmer during this part of the flying experience.
Now that Terminal A gets a big thumbs up, Terminal B is next up for renovations!
All the terminals at Newark have good food options, with many upscale eateries. There’s a wine bar and even a whiskey bar!
Don't worry, Starbucks and Dunkin’ are still there.
The shops have improved over the years and are in line with the other NYC airports.
Newark has 11 lounges, including a United Airlines lounge, a Delta Sky Club, and an American Airlines Admirals Club. If you are eligible for entry, rejoice!
Last but not least…there is free wi-fi for all!
Happy flying!
