A Local’s Guide for Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan
So many tourists are absolutely fooled – they rule out flying into New Jersey’s Newark airport, and stick to the New York airports like LGA or JFK. I have a secret for you though – there’s a reason locals choose EWR. It’s because getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan is oftentimes better than traveling from the other “NYC” airports.
I’ve had to go from Newark Airport to Manhattan hundreds of times in my life, so trust me – flying in and out of Newark is worth it.
If you’re worried about making your way to Manhattan from Newark Airport, then have no fear – I’m going to share all of the different options for you, so you can travel with a peace of mind.
Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan: What You Should Know
Before diving into all of the options for getting from Newark airport to Manhattan, let’s go over a few things to keep in mind before booking your flights.
๐ค Why Fly Into Newark Airport?
Newark Airport is so often ignored, but in my humble opinion, it’s the absolute best airport to fly into, especially for tourists that are looking to stay in the heart of Manhattan, or perhaps to stay in New Jersey as a more affordable alternative to staying in the city.
When it comes to the airports themselves, JFK is a nightmare, and LGA isn’t as easily connected when it comes to public transportation. Not only that, but Newark Airport is smaller than the other two, easier to navigate, and has minimal connections, especially if you are staying in Midtown or New Jersey.
Flying into JFK is only more convenient if you’re staying in Long Island (which we wouldn’t recommend), and La Guardia is only more convenient if you are staying in Queens (not a bad alternative actually, but that’s for another day).
Bonus: Flying in an out of Newark gives you incredible views of Manhattan!
๐ How Long Does it Take to Get Through Customs at Newark?
Customs at Newark can vary greatly depending on the time of day. I’ve been through customs at times in just minutes, and other times I have had to wait up to an hour, and this also depends on whether you are an American citizen or not.
All NYC airports take a bit of time honestly, so this is absolutely something to keep in mind when calculating the amount of time you’ll take getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan.
โญ๏ธ What is the Best Way for Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan?
My absolute go-to for getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan is by train. However, I’m going to outline all of the options, especially since certain modes of transportation work better depending on where exactly you’ll be staying.
Here are the different options for getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan:
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How to Get from Newark Airport to Manhattan
Now that you know a bit about flying into EWR and the options for getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan, let’s dive into each one!
๐ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan by Train
My personal favorite option for getting to Manhattan from Newark Airport is by using NJ Transit’s train. It’s fast, safe, simple, and even still one of the most budget-friendly options for traveling to NYC, especially if you’re 1-3 people. It leaves from the Newark Airport station and gets into New York Penn Station in just 26-29 minutes.
Simply follow the signs in the airport for the Airtrain. This brings passengers to different terminals, parking lots, and to the NJ Transit train station. Trains run on average every 20-30 minutes, starting at 4:50 AM on weekdays and 6:00 AM on weekends, with the last one going out at 1:43 AM.
Tickets are $17 each way, and you can purchase the ticket at one of the kiosks or on the NJ transit app. There is no price difference at all between the how you pay or which time slot or day you choose. Newark Airport is also one of the very few stations you need to scan your ticket before getting to the boarding area, which means you need to purchase the ticket before instead of simply waiting until you get onboard.
There are two Penn Stations – make sure to get the ticket to New York Penn Station, and not Newark Penn Station, and to do the departing station as Newark Airport, not Newark Penn Station.
โ๏ธ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan by the PATH
Looking for a slightly more budget-friendly option or planning to travel to Downtown Manhattan? The PATH is the subway line that connects New Jersey to various locations in Manhattan in a cheap and efficient way. Rides are $3, and you can take them from Newark Penn Station, Hoboken, Harrison, and a few locations in Jersey City.
The closest station to EWR is Newark Penn Station, and you can get there by a 10-minute Uber ride (best if you are a big group) or with bus number 62 which is $1.80 and takes 20 minutes.
Stations in Manhattan include 33rd Street, World Trade Center, Christopher Street, 9th Street, 14th Street, and 23rd Street. (You can see the below below which pins all PATH stations).
๐ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan by Airport Bus Express
This is an option we have only done once, and honestly we didn’t find it to be any more convenient or budget-friendly than the train. However, this can be an alternative option for travelers who are staying near Port Authority, Grand Central, or Bryant Park, or for those that have to travel to a place better connected with one of those rather than Penn Station (rare, but there are some cases).
The Airport Bus Express runs from 5:00 AM until 1:00 AM, with different schedules depending on the route. The bus to Port Authority leaves from Terminal C โย Located on Level 1, outside at bus stop 4. Buses to Grand Central leave from Terminal A โย Located on Level 1, outside of Zone 16, and buses to Bryant Park leave from Terminal B โย Located on Level 1, outside at bus stop 2.
The cost is currently $23.50 for one way, or $39.50 for round-trip, and the rides are typically 50-70 minutes, but this can vary greatly due to traffic and congestion in NYC.
๐ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan by Local Buses
If you’re looking for another budget-friendly option for going to Manhattan from Newark Airport, you can opt for one of the local buses.
I’m going to be honest, I’ve never used these buses, because there’s limited space, they can be crowded, and not the most welcoming of transport options. They take longer and can be confusing to get to, considering they all leave from different areas, and some you need to actually walk outside the airport to get to.
Tickets are around $9-11, and times can range from 25 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Go Bus Linesย 28, 37, 62, 67, 107 are the ones that serve the airport, and you can check schedules with the NJ Transit trip planner.
๐ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan with Uber or Lyft
Uber and Lyft are the two rideshare companies that serve this area. Most tourists consider this to be the “easiest” option for getting into Manhattan from EWR, but I truly beg to differ.
Ride shares are extortionately expensive, and traffic in NYC is awful, which continues to drive prices up even more while you’re on the ride itself. I’d really only consider this an option if traveling from 1:50 am to 5 am, which are the few hours that the trains and buses do not run.
On the other hand, if you have a group of 4 people, it could end up being around the same price as the train. If this is the case, you can check both apps and see which is the more ideal option of the two.
๐ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan by Taxi
Taxis are a truly crazy topic in New York and New Jersey, and they can be really hit or miss. In certain areas taxis have actually become more affordable than ride share apps, while in others they remain absurdly expensive.
We’d always recommend calling a taxi company in advance rather than just hopping in and relying on the meter. You’ll truly suffer watching the number go up, especially with NYC traffic.
Taxis are probably one of our least recommended options for getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan, but it’s good to know that they are available.
๐ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan with Private Transportation
Looking for a bit of VIP service? Getting a shuttle can eliminate the headache of scrambling upon arrival. It’s something a bit of the past, but we do know that some people still prefer it since it’s one of the most comfortable and reliable options. This is also ideal for corporate trips or big groups that want to make sure they always travel together.
To book one of these you can simply check out Viator or Get Your Guide which connect you with different operators. You’ll be able to pay on your credit card ahead, and find choices from luxury SUVS to limos.
๐ Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan with Private Transportation
I can’t stress it enough – driving in Manhattan is HELL, especially if you’re a tourist. There are insane tolls to pay, drivers are aggressive, there’s always a ton of traffic, and don’t even get me started on the parking situation.
Now, if you plan on staying in Staten Island, Long Island, or areas of New Jersey outside Hoboken or Jersey City, then it can potentially be an option to have a car. But this is really reserved for areas outside of NYC.
You can rent a car easily from Newark Airport, but just keep in mind you should not drive into Manhattan itself. You can however park in one of surrounding boroughs and then use public transportation, saving the car for day trips from NYC if you wish.
Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan: Final Thoughts & What’s Next
Flying into EWR can be a great option for travelers, offering less crowded terminals, great views flying in, and great connections for those wanting to stay in NJ or Midtown.
There are plenty of options for getting from Newark airport to Manhattan, no matter if you’re on a tight budget, or looking for a flashy and fun way to travel.
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๐ What’s Next?
Now that you know how to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan, you’re probably ready to learn all about visiting New York!
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โฆand more coming each week!
We hope you got a lot of information out of our guide, and will be able to confidently get from Newark Airport to Manhattan!
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