Newark Liberty International Airport sits across the Hudson River in Newark, New Jersey, serving as one of three three major airports for New York City. It’s the region’s second busiest airport, handling nearly 50 million passengers annually. United Airlines operates its hub here, though more than 30 other airlines fly here, connecting Newark to more than 180 destinations worldwide.
How to get to and from the airport
Getting from Newark to New York City offers several options. Most travelers choose to take public transportation, as it's the cheapest way to get into town. But the flashiest way to arrive is by helicopter. In some cases, a helicopter might even be cheaper than a taxi, depending on where you need to go in New York.
Public transportation
Taking public transportation from Newark is straightforward: ride the AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Airport Station, then catch NJ Transit or Amtrak to New York Penn Station. While the AirTrain runs 24 hours a day, NJ Transit and Amtrak trains don't. For 24-hour connections, you can take NJ Transit buses. Travel times range from approximately 30 minutes to more than an hour.
Important tip: Newark Liberty International Airport is not the same stop as Newark Penn Station. And Newark Penn Station is not the same stop as New York Penn Station, even though they sound very similar! Unfortunately you'll encounter all three traveling between New York City and the airport, so it's easy to get confused. When in doubt, ask a conductor for clarification.
Taxis, rideshares and driving
Taxis and rideshares are available at Newark, but a ride into New York City will be fairly expensive; there are fees for crossing state lines. The drive can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 90 minutes or more, depending on traffic. I don't recommend taking a taxi or rideshare during rush hour, which generally runs from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There are car rentals available at Newark, but driving into New York City is not necessarily a good idea. Parking garages in the city are extremely expensive, and free street parking can be very hard to come by. It's best to use public transportation or taxis and rideshare when traveling in New York City.
Helicopter
This is the most expensive transportation option between Newark and New York, but it's also the fastest. Blade offers five-minute helicopter flights to Manhattan that take about five minutes, and you can book a single seat starting from approximately $195. Depending on the time of day, the price can be surprisingly close to a high-end car service.
Navigating the terminals
Newark has three terminals (A, B and C. While United flies out of all three terminals, the majority of its flights depart from Terminals A and C, which are much newer than Terminal B. In fact, I fly through Newark regularly on United, and I have not stepped foot in terminal B in years. Terminal B is primarily for non-United flights.
Getting between terminals is key, especially if you have a connection. You can use the AirTrain outside of security, but if you want to avoid the hassle of going through screening again, stick to the airside shuttle bus. It connects all three terminals and offers some good views of the planes on the tarmac.
Because the shuttle bus drives on the active taxiway, you can get stuck in traffic, as planes have priority. The drive between Terminals A and C can take up to 15 minutes, though at slower times of the day, I've made the connection in about eight minutes.
The Terminal A shuttle bus runs every 5 to 10 minutes, but the United Airlines shuttle between Terminals A and C only operates from 4:00 a.m. to midnight, while the Terminal B shuttle runs from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., so the AirTrain might be your only option for late-night or early-morning connections.
Security and immigration lines
Security lines at Newark are often long, so arrive at the airport at least two to three hours ahead of your flight. You can check current wait times on the Newark airport website. Immigration can also be a lengthy process at Newark. If you are flying into Newark from an international destination and connecting to a domestic flight, give yourself at least two hours to make the connection.
TSA PreCheck and Clear are two ways to expedite airport security at Newark, while Global Entry and the Mobile Passport Control app can expedite immigration. Mobile Passport Control is free and can be used immediately, while the rest have an application process and fee. Look into your options well in advance of travel.
Things to do on a layover
Your layover options at Newark depend entirely on how much time you have. Traffic delays in the area can eat into your plans, so shorter layovers are best spent at the airport. But if you have a long layover, there are some nearby attractions worth visiting.
Less than four hours
For layovers under four hours, stay at the airport. Newark has full-service restaurants, bars and shops to keep you occupied. If you’re flying United or a Star Alliance partner, you can buy a day pass to one of its United Clubs.
Four to six hours
With a bit more breathing room, you can venture out. Visit the nearby Mills at Jersey Gardens shopping mall or dine on Portuguese cuisine in Newark's Ironbound district. For great views of the NYC skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, check out Liberty State Park. I also love visiting the Liberty Science Center there, which is a great activity for families.
More than six hours
With more than six hours, you can travel into New York City. Take the train to Penn Station and explore Midtown Manhattan. You can hit the Empire State Building, check out Hudson Yards, walk the High Line, or do some shopping at Macy’s. While there are no luggage storage facilities at Newark, there are plenty near New York Penn Station. If you really want to maximize your layover, consider taking the five-minute Blade helicopter ride to save time.
If you’d rather catch some sleep, the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott is the closest hotel. It’s not walkable (there’s no path), but a free shuttle will get you there. Other airport hotels have shuttles too, but they’re a bit farther out, and on a layover, every minute counts.
Alternative airports to consider
Newark is the primary airport for Northern New Jersey, but it's only one of several area airports that serve the larger New York Metropolitan Area. It’s always worth checking fares at other nearby airports, you might find a cheaper price or a better nonstop flight. Even Philadelphia isn’t out of the question for folks in South Jersey.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is the busiest airport in the New York metro, handling more than 62 million passengers per year. It’s located in Queens, New York, about a 45-minute drive from Manhattan (on a good day) or an hour on the subway.
If you live in Brooklyn or Queens, this is probably your most convenient option. Fun fact: United doesn’t fly from JFK, having suspended service there recently, though Southwest Airlines also doesn’t serve the airport.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Also in Queens, LaGuardia handles over 33 million passengers annually, mostly on domestic flights, with some routes to Canada but not Mexico (since LaGuardia lacks customs facilities for non-precleared international arrivals). The big thing to know about LGA is that it’s not connected to the subway so you’ll need to catch the free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus to connect to subway lines at Jackson Heights or Woodside, or take the M60-SBS bus, or rely on a car to get there.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Most New Yorkers probably don’t think about flying out of Philadelphia, but it's fairly easy to get to: trains and buses connect the two cities regularly. PHL serves over 28 million travelers a year with both domestic and international flights. If there's a great airfare deal out of Philadelphia, it might be worth the commute to or from New York.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
