6 Best Ways To Get From Newark Airport To Manhattan

Last Updated on 8th June 2024

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Are you planning a trip to New York City, but flying into Newark Airport (EWR) instead of JFK? You might be wondering how to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan! Thankfully, this ultimate guide includes all the best ways to get from Newark Airport to NYC by train, shuttle service, express bus, taxi, Uber and more!

After sharing my post about how to get from JFK to Manhattan, I was inundated with requests (particularly on my New York Facebook group!) for a guide about how to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan, so here we go!

While many people opt to fly into JFK Airport when travelling to New York City, Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey is also a very popular airport choice as it’s arguably just as easy to travel from Newark to Manhattan.

In my guide below, I’m sharing all the best ways to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan, including how to get from Newark Airport to Times Square by public transportation, how to get a Newark to Manhattan taxi and more!

This guide includes the 6 best, easiest and cheapest means of transportation between Newark and Manhattan, New York!

How to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan

Along with John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of the three major airports that service New York City.

However, the airport isn’t actually located in New York state; it’s located in the state of New Jersey, but many travellers prefer to fly into Newark as opposed to JFK (which is in the New York borough of Queens) as it’s generally quieter and it’s also one of the best airports near New York that offers direct flights from many other cities in the United States (and beyond).

How far is Newark Airport from NYC?

Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) is located just 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan, despite being in the state of New Jersey. Even though it’s in a completely different state, Newark is actually one of the easiest airports to travel to/from if you’re staying in Manhattan.

Depending on your preferred mode of transport between the airport and NYC, you can travel from EWR to Midtown Manhattan in as little as 40 minutes.

Best ways to get from Newark Airport to NYC – summary

The information below is based on the cost and times from JFK Airport to Midtown Manhattan (Penn Station), so that I could provide as much accurate information as possible, based on one Manhattan location. Please note that costs of each method of transport and travel times will vary depending on where exactly in Manhattan you’re travelling to.

	Cost	Time	Ideal for
AirTrain & NJ Transit /PATH	From $15.75	40 minutes	Budget
Express bus	From $18.70	45-60 minutes	Budget
Shuttle service	From $33	45-90 minutes	Ease
Taxi	From $50	45-60 minutes	Ease
Uber	From $50	45-60 minutes	Ease
Helicopter	From $195	5 minutes	Fun

1. Newark AirTrain & NJ Transit/PATH Train – cheapest way to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan

Taking the train from Newark Airport to Manhattan is the cheapest and often quickest way to travel between the airport and the city.

Getting the Newark Airport train to Manhattan might seem overwhelming at first, especially if it’s your first time in NYC, but it’s actually a very easy and straightforward process.

AirTrain from Newark to Manhattan – best way to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan

Similarly to the JFK AirTrain, Newark Airport also has its very own AirTrain that connects passengers to different terminals inside the airport, as well as to the NJ Transit, PATH and Amtrak trains via one station; Newark Liberty Airport Station.

The Newark AirTrain and New Jersey Transit and/or PATH train is probably the best way to get from Newark Airport to NYC as it’s quick, easy and cheap, especially compared to many of the other modes of available transportation.

The AirTrain is free to use if you’re travelling between terminals within the airport complex, but if you want to get the EWR to NYC train, you will need to transfer to the Newark Airport Railroad Station to connect to NJ Transit, PATH and Amtrak trains.

Newark to Midtown Manhattan (New York Penn Station) via NJ Transit train – Newark to NYC train cost

From the Newark Airport Railroad Station, the NJ Transit Newark to Manhattan train takes approximately 30 minutes to get to New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.

A one-way Newark Airport to Manhattan train (to New York Penn Station) costs $15.75 (this includes the $8.25 Newark AirTrain fee) and takes between 30-50 minutes.

Newark to Downtown Manhattan (World Trade Center) via New Jersey transit train & PATH

If you’re travelling to Downtown Manhattan, you can take the NJ Transit Rail to Newark Penn Station and then transfer to the PATH railway (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) to travel to the World Trade Center. This journey should take around 20-30 minutes.

Frequency of NJ Transit & PATH trains

At least six NJ Transit trains run every hour between 6 AM and 9 PM on weekdays and around four trains run every hour between 9 PM and midnight. The trains are not 24/7; they typically run between 5 AM and 1 AM.

PATH trains from Newark to Manhattan run frequently during most hours of the day (this is the train you’ll need in order to travel to the World Trade Center).

Where to buy tickets for the Newark to Manhattan train

You can buy tickets for the EWR train to NYC on the NJ Transit Mobile App, at ticket offices and vending machines located inside the entrance to AirTrain stations at each terminal and at machines located inside Newark Airport Railroad Station. The transit ticket machines accept credit cards, debit cards and cash.

You can also purchase tickets onboard the train but a $5 surcharge will be added to the total fare.

Remember: Note the difference between Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station when buying tickets for the train. Newark Penn Station is only a 6-minute train ride from Newark Airport Railroad Station (and costs $11.25 one-way), whereas New York Penn Station is 30-minute journey that takes you into Midtown Manhattan (and costs $15.75 one-way).

Travel to the rest of Manhattan

If you want to travel elsewhere in Manhattan, such as Grand Central Station, Greenwich Village or Times Square, for example, you will need to either walk to your hotel, switch to the MTA subway or get a taxi/Uber from New York Penn Station (or the World Trade Center, depending on which station you travel to).

As an example, if you’re travelling from Newark Airport to Times Square, you can take the AirTrain to Newark Airport Railroad Station, then the NJ Transit Rail to New York Penn Station, then you can either switch to the subway line at 34 St-Penn Station and take the 1, 2 or 3 line to Times Sq–42 St (approximately 3-minute ride) or you can just walk as it’s less than 10 minutes!

2. Newark Airport Express Bus

Another way to get to Manhattan from Newark Airport is by using the Express Bus service.

The Express Bus runs between Newark Liberty International Airport & New York City from 5 AM to 11 PM, 365 days a year. The buses usually depart Newark Airport every 15-45 minutes, depending on the time of day (check the Coach USA website for the most up-to-date bus schedules).

Newark Airport to New York City via Express Bus Service

	Cost	Journey time	Where to board
Port Authority Bus Terminal	From $18.70 one-way	50 minutes	Terminal A, B & C
Bryant Park	From $18.70 one-way	1 hour	Terminal A, B & C
Grand Central Terminal	From $18.70 one-way	1 hour & 10 minutes	Terminal A, B & C

Every Newark Express Bus picks passengers up from Terminal A, B & C and stops at all three Manhattan destinations (Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park and Grand Central Station – in that order).

How to find the Express Bus at the airport

Terminal A – located on Level 1 outside the terminal on Curb 3
Terminal B – located on Level 1 at bus stop 2
Terminal C – located on Level 1 at bus stop 4

How much does the Newark Airport Express Bus cost?

The Express Bus from the airport to NYC (Manhattan) costs $18.70 one-way or $33 for a round-trip for adults and $5.50 one-way and $11 for a round-trip for children aged 0-16.

If you’re flying in and out of Newark Airport for your trip to New York, then the round-trip Express Bus tickets are a brilliant way of saving money as you can get to/from the airport for just $33 per person!

You can buy tickets for the Newark Express Bus via the Coach USA website or at the airport terminal when you arrive.

3. Shuttle bus/ride-sharing vans – is there a shuttle from Newark Airport to Manhattan?

As well as the Express Bus, you can also opt for a ride-sharing shuttle bus service from Newark Liberty International Airport.

There are several ride-sharing bus/van services from Newark Airport, as well as several companies that offer a private car service to Manhattan, including GO Airlink NYC, Carmel and SuperShuttle.

The cost of a shuttle/ride-sharing service varies depending on the company you choose, as well as your destination and the time of day that you arrive.

I’ve included example costs below for a journey from Newark to Times Square one-way in a shared shuttle van to give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay.

GO Airlink – from $33 per person
SuperShuttle – from $45 per person
Carmel – from $46 per person

It’s not necessarily essential to pre-book these shuttle services in advance as they all have self-service kiosks at the arrivals level of each terminal at the airport, but if you want to guarantee a booking with a certain company/guarantee a certain pick-up time, it’s worth reserving your seat online in advance.

4. Taxi/yellow cab – easiest way to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan

If you’re wondering “what is the easiest way to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan?”, the answer is probably by New York taxi/yellow cab.

While it might be one of the easiest, fastest and most convenient ways to get between the airport and Manhattan as you don’t have to worry about getting the train from Newark Airport to NYC, a taxi is also likely to be one of the most expensive ways of getting to and from EWR Airport.

The total drive time and the EWR to Manhattan taxi fare depends on where exactly you’re going, as unlike the taxi from JFK to Manhattan, there isn’t a fixed fare from Newark to Manhattan.

If your final destination in New York is in Lower Manhattan, then a taxi will be one of the best and easiest ways to travel from the airport as it’s easier and quicker to get to Downtown Manhattan than Midtown from Newark Airport.

However, if you’re staying in Midtown or the Upper West or East Side, then a taxi journey can cost you well over $80, making it one of the most expensive ways to travel from Newark to New York City.

How much is a Newark Airport to Manhattan taxi?

As I mentioned above, there isn’t a flat rate fare between the airport and Manhattan (unlike JFK Airport and NYC, which is $70), so a taxi from Newark to Manhattan can cost anywhere from $50, but they can also cost upwards of $80, depending on where exactly you’re travelling to in Manhattan and the day/time of day that you arrive.

While the cost of a taxi will depend on where you’re going, the Newark Airport website has provided the below rates as an example of what you can expect to pay for a taxi from Newark to Manhattan.

To The Battery (Downtown – Zone 1) – $60
To between West 14th St and West 50th St (Zone 2) – $65
To between West 51st St and West 96th St (Zone 3) – $70
To between West 97th St and West 185th St (Zone 4) – $75
Above West 185th St – $80

Please note that the above taxi fares between Newark and Manhattan are the minimum amount that you can expect to pay. There is a surcharge of $5 per journey for destinations on the East Side of Manhattan.

You will also have to account for an additional surcharge of $10 for journeys during rush hour on weekdays (6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 8 PM) and on weekends (Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 9 PM). It’s also customary to tip taxi drivers in New York (usually between 10% and 15% of the total fare), so as you can see, the cost of a taxi journey can soon add up!

5. Uber/Lyft

While many people prefer to take the classic New York taxis, Uber is another great way of getting to Manhattan from Newark Airport.

To order an Uber at Newark Liberty Airport, you will need to exit the terminal that you arrived at and follow signs for Ground Transportation and Passenger Pick-Up. You will need to provide details of your terminal and door number when requesting an Uber and then the driver will assign you a pick-up location within the airport grounds.

How Much is an Uber from Newark Airport to Manhattan?

An Uber from Newark to Times Square, for example, can cost as little as $50 depending on the time of day that you arrive. A New York taxi, on the other hand, will cost at least $65, if not $20-$30 on top of that with all the extra charges, tolls, fees and tips!

You can use the handy Uber price estimator tool to check the expected cost/wait time of your exact journey in New York.

6. Helicopter

As I mentioned in my guide about how to get from JFK to Manhattan, taking a helicopter from the airport into the city isn’t exactly the cheapest mode of transport. However, it is certainly one of the coolest and most stylish ways to travel in NYC!

A helicopter from Newark Airport to Manhattan starts at $195 per person and can take as little as 5 minutes to travel into the city!

Blade is the best airport helicopter service that provides transportation from Newark Airport to Manhattan (to the West 30th Street Blade Lounge). The helicopter service runs from 7 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 1:40 PM to 8 PM on Sundays.

If you book a helicopter flight for three or more people, you can get the flight for just $175 per person.

Use the code “ChloeD314” to get $50 off your first flight with Blade!

How To Get From Newark Airport To Manhattan FAQ

I’ve included even more frequently asked questions about how to get from Newark Airport to NYC below to help you plan your trip!

What is the most cost effective way of travelling from Newark to NYC?

The cheapest way to travel from Newark to NYC is via the AirTrain and NJ Transit and/or PATH train via the Newark Airport Railroad Station. This journey costs as little as $15.75 one-way.

However, the Newark Express Bus service costs just $33 per person for a round-trip to Manhattan, which also makes it one of the most cost effective means of transportation. If you’re arriving and departing from EWR, then the Express Bus is probably the easiest, best and most cost effective way of travelling between the city and the airport.

Is it cheaper to take a taxi or Uber from Newark Airport to Manhattan?

Uber/Lyft is typically cheaper than taking a taxi from EWR to Manhattan as there is no standard flat taxi rate between Newark and NYC, so the additional costs and surcharges usually add up to a lot more than the cost of an Uber.

Is there a direct train from Newark to Manhattan?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct train from Newark to Manhattan. However, the train from EWR to NYC via the Newark Airport Railroad Station is super easy to navigate and takes you from the airport to Manhattan in less than 45 minutes.

How long does it take to get from Newark to Manhattan?

The journey time between Newark Airport and Manhattan depends on the mode of transport that you take. A helicopter ride can take as little as 5 minutes, but it’s also by far the most expensive way of getting to and from the airport. The AirTrain & NJ Transit/PATH train is usually the quickest means of transport as this usually takes around 45 minutes, depending on where exactly you’re travelling to in Manhattan.

The journey in a taxi/Uber/shuttle/Express Bus can take anywhere between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on where your final stop is.

Best ways to get from Newark to Manhattan – conclusion

I hope you found this post about how to get to Manhattan from Newark Airport useful! As you can see, there are many different transport options, most of which are much cheaper than travelling from JFK to Manhattan!

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