Newark Liberty Airport is the oldest airfield in the United States. If you’ve just landed here and wish to travel to Midtown Manhattan in NYC, you can either take a taxi, a private shuttle, a train or a bus. The quickest option is, of course, by taking a Newark Airport taxi or private shuttle. Taxis are metered from the airport and the journey will take around 30 minutes, in normal traffic, or, if you prefer to take a private shuttle you can book one in advance. If you take the train, it will involve a few more transfers. Finally, there is an express bus option from the airport, which takes just over an hour and drops you off in the heart of Manhattan.
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Transportation options from Newark Airport (EWR) to City Centre
Kathryn ShawApril 8, 2021
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | €95 | 30min | 24/7 | |
| Taxi & Private Shuttle | €43 | 30min | 24/7 | |
| Train | €21.40 | 45min | 05:00–02:00 | |
| Bus | €30.80 | 60min | 04:00–01:00 |
How to get from EWR Airport to New York city centre by taxi or private shuttle
Taking a Newark Liberty Airport taxi or private shuttle is by far the most convenient and safest option when travelling to downtown NYC. Taxis in the New Jersey state are covered by official licensing, which provides protection in case of overcharging and similar situations. Unlike NYC, official taxis in New Jersey are ‘apple/bright’ green. On the other hand, you can take a private shuttle from the airport into the city, for around the same price as a taxi. However, you will need to book your private airport shuttle in advance.
Taxi and private shuttle fares from EWR Airport to New York city centre
Taxis from Newark Airport are metered and therefore a variety of factors, such as time of day, luggage and traffic conditions can affect the price of your journey. Luggage is charged only when large pieces are handled by the driver. However, by booking a private shuttle in advance, you are guaranteed a fixed price, no matter how long the journey, with on-time pickups and no waiting time at any taxi rank.
If you wish to take a taxi, try and avoid rush hours as, during weekday rush hours – mornings (06:00 to 09:00) and afternoons (16:00 to 19:00) and on weekends (Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00) – there is an additional $5USD surcharge to all points in the State of New York.
Additional to this, you can expect to pay around $13USD worth of tolls during your journey.
Moreover, if you wish to book a private shuttle in advance, there are many to chose from. You can book your shuttle on the company’s website at a fixed price.
Cost
€43
Trip Duration
30 Min
*Rates may vary unless taxi is booked in advance.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis and private shuttles are available 24/7 from Newark Airport
Where do I get it from?
There are official taxi ranks located outside every terminal at Newark Airport, it is important to only take cabs from the ranks. You will need to queue and will be directed by the attendant to the next available taxi.
If you are travelling by private shuttle, you will need to arrange a pickup point with your driver.
Convenience
Taxis and shuttles are a comfortable and safe option and are usually one of the quickest ways to get into NYC from Newark airport, offering a door-to-door service. However, taxis and shuttles are at the mercy of traffic, so keep in mind that you might be caught in traffic during peak hours.
Editor’s Note
It is important to never accept rides from unlicensed drivers at the airport. It is illegal to operate outside of an official taxi rank in NJ and NYC.
Useful Tips
How to take the train from EWR Airport to city centre of New York
The train journey is the cheapest and fastest of the public transport options due to the avoidance of notorious traffic into NYC. Having said that, there are more stops associated with taking the train, so if you are happy to make the transfers it is a good option for those on a budget. You will need to take the AirTrain (which runs around all the terminals) from the airport to connect with other train services out of New Jersey (such as Amtrak and NJ Transit) at Newark Liberty International Airport Station. From here, you can take the NJ Transit train straight through to New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. The journey (including transfers) should only take around 45 minutes. It can also be quicker in peak times as trains are more frequent.
How much does the train cost from EWR Airport to New York city centre?
The AirTrain costs $5.50USD to reach Newark Liberty International Airport Station, however if you purchase a ticket for the onward journey via NJ Transit to Penn Station NY, the price for the AirTrain is included, so you will only need to use the one ticket through your journey, which costs $12.50USD (€10.70). Tickets are available for purchase at the airport station via ticketing machines.
Cost
€10.70
Trip Duration
45 Min
*There can be up to a 15 minute wait for the train
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The AirTrain is available 24/7 and the NJ Transit Trains operate 21/7 - there are no services running between 2:00am and 5:00am.
Where do I get it from?
You may catch the Airtrain from any terminal at the designated stations. NJ Transit trains depart from the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, reachable via the AirTrain.
Convenience
The AirTrain can be very fast, especially with more frequent services during peak hours. The cost is also low, for those who are on a budget. The downside is the transfers between stations, which can add extra stress if you’re carrying around heavy luggage.
Editor’s Note
You must always purchase a ticket before boarding. The only time that you are able to purchase onboard is if there are no available machines on the platforms. You can be fined for purchasing on board if a prior option was available.
Useful Tips
How to get from EWR Airport to New York city centre
There is an express bus, named The Newark Airport Express, that travels between Terminal A at Newark Airport directly to NYC centre, with stops at 3 major bus stations within the city. The bus stops at Grand Central Station (near Midtown and Times Square) as well as Bryant Park and Port Authority Bus Terminal. The bus is subject to traffic conditions but should take around 1 hour in normal traffic.
How much is the bus from EWR to New York city centre?
The bus ticket costs $18.00USD (€15.40). These can be purchased in advance on the express website or from the bus station at the terminal. Round trip tickets are also available for purchase.
Cost
€15.40
Trip Duration
60 Min
*There is a 30 minute wait between buses
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Buses run every 20 minutes between 09:00 - 11:00 and then every 30 minutes the rest of the day, between 04:00 and 01:00 daily.
Where do I get it from?
The Express bus stop is located at Terminal A — Located on Level 1, outside at Bus Stop 5.
Convenience
The express bus departs from the airport terminal which is convenient, however the traffic can affect how ‘express’ the bus is. As well as this, the price of the ticket means that it is not any cheaper than taking the train.
Editor’s Note
There is another option to take a local bus - however this involves taking two trains to get to Penn Station Newark before taking the bus.
Useful Tips
Welcome Pickups transfer
Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line
If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in New york. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.
Read more Book Welcome Pickups transferFrequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from EWR Airport to NYC?
A taxi from the airport is metered and therefore is likely to be affected by traffic and peak hour surcharges. Taking a taxi in normal traffic should cost around $50USD, but will also include a tip as well as tolls.
How many transfer options are there from EWR Airport to NYC?
There are 3 transfer options between the airport and NYC. The most comfortable for those with luggage is by taxi or private shuttle. This option takes around 30 minutes to get to NYC. If you with to take the train, you will need to transfer a few times, however the journey will be cheap and take around 45 minutes. Finally, there is an express bus available, which will take around an hour, but leaves directly from the airport and is reasonably priced.
How far is EWR Airport from NYC?
Newark Airport is located in New Jersey, the neighboring state to NYC. The airport is around 31km away and a journey by car in normal traffic should take around 30 minutes.
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