How To Get From Newark Airport to Manhattan [2024]

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in Newark, New Jersey, just a few miles away from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

While the airport isn’t technically located in New York, it is 1 of the 3 major New York City airports, in addition to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Many flyers use Newark to access New York City, so you’re probably curious how you can get from the airport to the city and back.

You’re in luck, as this guide will show you all the possible ways to do just that — let’s get started!

Getting From New York’s Airports to the City

New York City is served primarily by 3 airports. As you’d expect, they vary in distance from Manhattan, and each has its challenges regarding transit.

Here’s a look at the distance and the available transportation methods from each major NYC airport to New York Penn Station, a pivotal transit hub and a central location in Midtown Manhattan:

• New York-LaGuardia (LGA) is 9.1 miles from Penn Station, making it the closest airport to Manhattan. The easiest method for getting from the airport to the city is by taxi or ride-share. You can also take the free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus service to the subway in Queens and take the subway into Manhattan.
• New York-Kennedy (JFK) is 16.8 miles away from Penn Station. The easiest way to get from the airport to the city is to take the AirTrain to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR).
• Newark (EWR) is 16.3 miles away from Penn Station. The easiest way to get from the airport to the city is to take a NJ TRANSIT train.

Today, however, we’re focusing on Newark Airport in New Jersey — here’s a look at the available transport methods between Manhattan and Newark Airport.

Hot Tip:

Are you considering flying from JFK instead? Check out our guide on how to get from JFK to Manhattan.

Overview of Cost Estimates

Train

If you’re traveling by train, you’ll first need to take the AirTrain from the terminal buildings to the airport train station, a short ride away. These trains operate 24/7, 365 days a year, and run every few minutes, with fewer trains departing during the overnight hours.

Whether traveling on a NJ TRANSIT train or an Amtrak train, the AirTrain fee will be included in your ticket — no additional purchase is necessary.

NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT trains are the fastest and easiest way from Newark Airport to Manhattan. It takes roughly 30 minutes to travel on NJ TRANSIT to New York Penn Station. Rides usually include only a few stops along the route, one of which will always be Newark Penn Station.

A one-way adult fare is $15.75; children, seniors, and military members will pay $11.75. You can purchase a NJ TRANSIT ticket at the airport or the train station, and you’ll find trains departing for New York City approximately every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Once onboard, you can sit anywhere, and a conductor will come around to collect your ticket.

On arrival at Penn Station, you can access New York’s MTA subway or bus system. Many sights and hotels are within walking distance from the station as well. NJ TRANSIT trains arrive at the “old” Penn Station (not the new Moynihan Train Hall).

Amtrak

Amtrak trains run on the same tracks as NJ TRANSIT trains, so you’ll need to take the AirTrain to the airport train station and follow the signs you see for NJ TRANSIT.

Amtrak doesn’t operate trains as frequently as NJ TRANSIT does between Newark Airport and New York Penn Station, but about 8 to 10 trains a day cover the short distance. It’s worth noting that many trains stop at Newark Penn Station on their way to New York but do not stop at the airport.

Fares start at $5 (if you purchase far in advance) and can go north of $75, even for the short trip, so it’s only worth it to take an Amtrak train if you can secure a cheap ticket in advance. As the ride’s only about 25 minutes long, you won’t be able to take advantage of many amenities on board, like the Café Car.

Note that your Amtrak ticket is also only valid for a specific train. If you miss that train due to a delayed flight, for example, you’ll need to purchase a new ticket for a later train, which will come at an additional cost. On the other hand, NJ TRANSIT tickets allow you to board any NJ TRANSIT train — you’re not tied to a specific departure time.

You can purchase business class tickets on all Amtrak trains, which typically come at about a $20 premium over coach. The significant upside to purchasing business class is having an assigned seat and a refundable ticket.

Bottom Line:

There’s no question that trains are the best way into Manhattan from Newark. Not only do you avoid the traffic, but the fares are fixed, and you’re brought right to Penn Station, a central location in Midtown Manhattan.

Vehicle

Taxi

You can grab a taxi on the same level as baggage claim. When you pick up your bags, head out to the curb to one of the many taxi ranks you’ll find.

Heading into Manhattan, there is no fixed fare, so the cost will depend entirely on traffic and other route conditions. You can expect to pay approximately $65 for the trip, though this number can vary wildly depending on the time of day. Tipping is customary, so expect to add this to your total.

Hot Tip:

Taxis between New York City and JFK Airport adhere to fixed fares, while taxis to Newark Airport do not.

Ride-Share

To take a ride-share service into the city, follow the signs for ground transportation and passenger pickup, where you’ll see a designated ride-share lane for pickup.

Rides into the city vary depending on traffic conditions and availability of cars, but expect to pay at least $45 for the one-way ride in the most perfect of conditions. Ride-share vehicles are almost always available, though there could be surge pricing depending on demand at the time of your request.

Van

Carmel Super Saver, Airlink New York, and ETS Air Shuttle operate between Newark Airport and Manhattan. You have your pick of vehicles and can choose between shared vans, private vans, limousines, and even buses.

Costs for a van service tend to be fixed, so you don’t have to worry about traffic conditions. When you book, you request the destination you want to go to so you can get dropped off right in front of your hotel, which is very convenient if you have baggage.

Here are some typical prices from Newark Airport to New York Penn Station:

• Shared van: $33.51
• Private economy sedan: $80
• SUV: $180
• 10-person van: $231
• Deluxe sedan: $120
• 13-person van: $258
• 28-passenger bus: $800
• 55-passenger motorcoach: $875

You can take as many people as the vehicle can fit when using a private transport option. For example, if you hire a 10-person van and actually fill it with 10 people, that’s only about $23 per person, which is relatively cheap for a trip directly to your destination. These services are best if you have multiple people and bags and want to travel together.

Hot Tip:

If you’re traveling in a group, hiring a van or small bus can easily save you tons of money since the costs tend to be fixed.

Bus

Departing from every terminal, there is an express bus service operated by CoachUSA to 3 locations in Manhattan: Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Buses depart at least once per hour, sometimes more often, and only cost $18 one-way or $30 round-trip. Buses operate from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, year-round.

Each bus accommodates around 50 passengers, and luggage storage is in the cargo compartments underneath the coach. They can get crowded, but the low price makes this method worthwhile.

Helicopter

This is certainly the most stylish way to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan. You can use Blade, a helicopter transport company, to fly between Newark Airport and West 30th Street for as low as $195 per person each way.

If you’re taking the helicopter to Newark, transportation is included to take you to your terminal. However, if you’re flying to Manhattan, you must add a separate ground transportation package (or find your own way) to get you to your final street address.

The service includes lounge access in Manhattan and the luggage you will bring on board, though there are some weight limitations for obvious reasons. The transport time from Manhattan to Newark can be as little as 5 minutes, so it’s a speedy ride. While the price tag is steep, it could be worth it in extreme traffic.

Hot Tip:

Check out our first-hand experience of an NYC airport transfer with Blade.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous ways to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan. Each has a different price tag and total travel time associated with it.

If you don’t have too much luggage, NJ TRANSIT will likely be the quickest and cheapest option, though you may want to price out ride-share fares to see if you get a reasonable fare, depending on the number of people in your party.

For the ultimate splurge, a Blade helicopter ride can get you there quickly but will cost you a pretty penny. Whichever option you choose, allow plenty of time to travel between Newark Airport and Manhattan.