This post is about how to get from Newark Airport (EWR) to Manhattan, including bus, train, shuttle, private car, taxi, and rideshares.
- NJ Transit Train
- Shuttle Buses and Shared Vans
- Discounted Airport Transfers
- Public Bus
- Taxis and Private Car Services
- Ride Share (Uber)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in New Jersey, but many travelers prefer flying into this airport because it’s less crowded and offers direct flights from more cities.
As with the other 2 airports, JFK and LaGuardia, there are numerous options for transportation from Newark Airport to Manhattan, and we cover them all in this post.
Use this link to Google maps to get exact directions from Newark Airport to your destination.
Be sure to check out our other posts on the other airport options in NYC.
AirTrain + New Jersey Transit Train
The AirTrain connects Newark Airport terminals to New Jersey Transit trains and Amtrak trains that travel roughly 30 minutes to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.
AirTrain operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and New Jersey Transit trains operate 21 hours a day, seven days a week. (There is no rail service between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. nightly).
This means that at just about any time of day or night, this inexpensive and fast service is available to you.
On weekdays, between 6 a.m. and 9 pm, at least 6 NJ Transit trains arrive every hour at the airport station.
Between 9 p.m. and midnight, 4 trains arrive every hour.
After claiming your baggage, follow the signs to the AirTrain station.
You can purchase your train ticket from NJ Transit ticket vending machines at the AirTrain station.
Board the AirTrain from your airport terminal and get off at the only stop it goes to - Newark Liberty International Airport Station.
From there you can take an NJ Transit train to Penn Station.
Use this helpful NJ Transit Trip Planner to see schedules.
- Total Cost: $15.50 Adult; $11:50 Child/Senior/Disabled
- Travel Time: 30 minutes
Pros: Trains come frequently and this is one of the quickest options available, and also the cheapest.
The train will take you to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan (32nd Street and 7th Avenue), which is a great place to get a taxi to your destination or connect with the subway.
Cons: You will have to maneuver your luggage around quite a bit, so this option can be difficult for those with a lot of luggage.
Also, depending on where you are staying in New York you could still have a bit of traveling left once you get to Penn Station.
NJ TRANSIT AND PATH TRAINS TO LOWER MANHATTAN
While the above option is the fastest to get to Midtown Manhattan, it's not necessarily the fastest option, particularly if your final destination is Jersey City/Hoboken, Lower Manhattan, or parts of Brooklyn.
An alternative is to take AirTrain to the NJ Transit Train, but rather than riding to New York Penn Station, get off at Newark Penn Station, which is just a 4 min ride from the airport.
From Newark Penn Station, switch to the PATH Train, which is New Jersey's subway to NYC.
The PATH trains make stops in Jersey City and Hoboken, and this is the easy choice for those whose hotels or final destinations are in either city.
Then, depending on the particular line, the PATH trains then head into either the Lower Manhattan/World Trade Center area or make a run up through Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and then Midtown Manhattan.
The World Trade Center (WTC) line ends at the Fulton Street Transit Center, where it is a must shorter ride to most of Brooklyn, in comparison to the time it would take from New York Penn Station.
- Total Cost: $13.75 Adult; $10:60 Child/Senior/Disabled
- Travel Time: 35 minutes (to Fulton Street Station)
Shuttle Buses and Shared Vans from Newark Airport to Manhattan
Another option is to take one of the shuttle bus services.
Two companies, GoAirLink and SuperShuttle, are ride-sharing services that have the door-to-door benefits of a taxi but could be significantly cheaper, depending on the number in your group.
You can request GoAirLink and SuperShuttle from the ground transportation desk in the baggage claim area.
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 to Port Authority in Midtown Manhattan will cost you around $40 per person with up to two bags. This also includes tunnel tolls and tax.
Note that Groupon often runs deals.
Travel Time: Can vary. 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 and 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.
Discounted Airport Transfers
There are several ways to save money on airport transfers, but one of the easiest options is to use a New York tourist pass.
Currently, the New York Turbopass is the only one 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, this discount pass would be a great way to save money on everything.
For more details, check our post covering New York tourist passes.
Newark Express Bus to Manhattan
Newark Airport Express is a bus service that operates express service between Midtown Manhattan and Newark Airport.
Buses run 4 am - 1:00 am and depart every 15 minutes (every 30 minutes in the very early morning or late at night) and the trip to the airport can be quick.
The main advantage is it has 3 Midtown Manhattan stops.
- Grand Central Station (41st Street between Park & Lexington Avenues)
- Bryant Park (42nd Street & 5th Avenue)
- Port Authority Bus Terminal (41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues)
Cost one way: Adults $16, Children 5-11 years $5, Children under 5 years ride FREE. Students 12-16 years: $10,
Travel Time: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic
Pros: Inexpensive option, so a good idea for those on a budget. Particularly convenient for anyone staying in Midtown.
Cons: The buses frequently run late and traffic could make the trip into NYC last upwards or just over 1 hour.
Taxi and Private Car Service from Newark Airport
You can take a yellow taxi or a car service from Newark Airport to Manhattan just like at all of the other airports.
The same procedures and cautions against accepting rides from solicitors apply.
Yellow Taxis
Because Newark is geographically farther from Manhattan and there are no flat rates from taxis, the price can get quite steep, depending on where you are heading.
- 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. For people with many bags, this can be easier than the train.
- Cons: Very expensive. If price is a major concern this may not be the best option for you. Also, they can only take four people so if your group is bigger, 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 in advance of 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. Also, heading back to the airport from NYC, you may want to take a private car service since you can book in advance and the costs may not be much more than a taxi.
- Cons: More costly than many of the other options. Also, like all options other than 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 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, an Uber from Newark Airport to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan at 5:00 pm (rush hour) costs $60. Use the Uber Price Estimator to see in advance the cost and wait time.
Read our posts on using Uber in NYC.
