Newark Airport is only 16 miles from the heart of the Big Apple, with over 30 million people traveling its airways annually. That many people using an airport in the biggest city in the US can clog some serious highways. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in traffic as you watch your takeoff time tick closer and closer, especially when you need to get through security, check your bags and hopefully even buy a pillow for a flight’s good rest.

With the many great transportation options that New Yorkers enjoy, you have your pick of transportation options. Here are a few tips for accessing them that will make sure you make that flight on time with enough time to hit the newsstand.

Travel by Train

The Air Train connects to both the Amtrak Train and NJ Transit. Surprisingly, taking the train is much quicker than car or bus. At $11.55 to take you from Penn Station to the Newark Airport, the train is cheaper too, as well as saves you the trouble of parking a car or calling a cab or shuttle. For service available from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m., consult the schedule to plan your coming and going.

Drive your Car

An easy way to save time and money is driving your car to the Newark airport, and park it on or off-site.  Most places charge a daily parking rate which can range from $8 to $20 depending on the location.  For the best rates on Newark airport parking use our easy airport parking finder for the best deals at EWR 

Taxi

A taxi from Manhattan to the Newark Airport can cost anywhere from $69 to $75, plus return fare and a $15 surcharge to take a taxi into the airport.

Metered fare from the Newark Airport to any Manhattan location can cost you anywhere from $55 to $75. Taxis are readily available outside any terminal. Taxi terminals can provide you with the nearest taxi. Luggage over 24 inches carries an additional charge if the driver handles the bags. Rates are based on the route, not per passenger, so carpooling can save your wallet as you can ride with up to four passengers.

Car/Van Service

You can also arrange for car service to meet you at the airport, either before hand or you can call one when your flight lands. This saves you time waiting in line for a taxi, and can be handy if you have more than four people who need a ride and prefer to arrange a van or limo.

Several companies, including the Newark Liberty Airport Express and the Super Shuttle, also offer shuttles to Manhattan.

Airport Shuttles

The Newark Liberty Express is available from 4 to 1 a.m., with shuttles leaving 15 to 30 minutes to midtown Manhattan and every two hours to downtown Manhattan (from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) One-way fare is $13, while two-way fare is a discounted $22. One child under 16 can ride for free. A shuttle can take you to Grand Central, Port Authority or Penn Station, as well as midtown hotels. Rides will take about an hour, depending on traffic.

Featuring door-to-door service, the Super Shuttle is available 24 hours a day. Depending on your destination, fares range from $15 to $19. Reservations aren’t required to shuttle from the airport to your destination, although you’ll need to schedule a reservation to return.

Rental Cars

Rental cars are also available, but more hassle than they’re worth unless you’re planning some extensive country driving. Parking isn’t cheap, plus it’s very difficult to find. You can easily find yourself driving busy New York streets for hours looking for a miracle parking space. There’s a reason George Costanza gets so excited about finding a good parking space since parking can be flukier than Kramer in the city.

New York City is a fabulous city, but one that makes transportation challenging. Luckily, there are mass public transit options, as well as trains, taxis and shuttles to get you where you need to be on time.

Los Angeles is well known for its sunny weather, active beaches, and famous faces all of which draw large number of visitors to the city each an every year. There are a countless number of places to stay when traveling to the notoriously dubbed, City of Angels, and choosing a great hotel can often prove a tedious task if you are unfamiliar with the area. To help you with your next trip to the city, here are the ten best boutique hotels in Los Angeles that are noted for luxurious accommodations. When staying at one of these unique boutique hotels, you can be sure your comfort is the hotels top priority.

The Ambrose

Nestled on 20th Street in Santa Monica, the Ambrose is LA's first green certified hotel. Complimentary guest amenities include:

• Exercise room
• Free Wi-Fi and cable internet
• Meditation garden with a Koi pond
• Starbucks Fair Trade and Urth Caffé coffees
• Underground parking
• USA Today delivery

Many guestrooms at the Ambrose have wood floors eliminating allergens. Spacious bathrooms showcase Turkish cotton robes and Aveda organic bath products.

The Crescent

Beverly Hills' the Crescent is in a stunning location in a gorgeous historic building that once catered to silent film stars. Rodeo Drive is a short walk away.

Complimentary amenities at the Crescent include:

• 24-hour concierge service
• Turndown service
• Wi-Fi

Beds come with Italian linens and down comforters. Plush bathrobes and White Company toiletries are in each concrete bathroom.

The Georgian Hotel

Sitting on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Georgian's location is an easy stroll to Santa Monica Pier.

Guest amenities include:

• Coffee and tea makers
• Concierge service
• In-room safes
• LCD televisions
• Turndown service
• Wi-Fi internet

The Georgina pampers your pet with a treat before bed.

Hotel Oceana

Hotel Oceana abuts the Pacific coastline. Complimentary features of the environmentally-friendly hotel include:

• Beach bicycle rentals
• Deluxe continental breakfast
• Two outdoor heated pools and a Jacuzzi
• Wi-Fi

Rooms in Hotel Oceana feature down bedding, Egyptian linens and Aveda bath products.

Le Parc Suite Hotel

All 154 guest suites in Le Parc Suite hotel come with private balconies and 42-inch plasma televisions. Enjoy the views while swimming in the rooftop heated pool.

Amenities include:

• Award-winning Knoll restaurant
• Institute Swiss body products
• Town car transportation in a three-mile radius
• Wi-Fi internet

Le Parc Suite Hotel is within walking distance of the Avenues of Arts and Design and the Pacific Design Center.

Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard

This pet-friendly Los Angeles hotel is on Sunset Boulevard. Luxe Hotel amenities include:

• 24-hour room service
• Complimentary newspapers
• In-room safes
• Luxe Lounge
• On Sunset restaurant
• Outdoor heated pool
• Turndown service
• Wi-Fi internet

Luxe has an on-site spa and tennis courts.

Maison 140

Maison 140 is a boutique hotel in Beverly Hills. Most guestrooms highlight Asian or French décor and offer:

• Egyptian cotton linens and robes
• High speed internet
• In-room safes
• In-room spa treatments
• Molton Brown bath products

All guestrooms are non-smoking. Watch for monthly wine and cheese tastings in the on-site Bar Noir.

The Mosaic Hotel Beverly Hills

Steps from Rodeo Drive, the Mosaic Hotel Beverly Hills ensures guests' comfort with Italian linens, down comforters and Merino wool blankets. Spacious marble and granite bathrooms spotlight Au Vert Bvlgari toiletries.

Hotel amenities include:

• Complimentary high-speed internet
• Daily newspaper delivery
• Discount passes to Beverly Hills' Sports Club/LA Splash
• Heated pool
• In-room laptop safes

Hush Restaurant is on-site serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Thompson-Beverly Hills

Thompson-Beverly Hills plays up their convenient location on Wilshire Boulevard. One of a chain of upscale boutique hotels, it's home to the only BondSt sushi restaurant on the west coast.

Thompson-Beverly Hills' amenities include:

• 24-hour hour concierge service
• ABH bar (rooftop)
• BondSt lounge (mezzanine)
• Fitness center
• Outdoor rooftop pool
• Wi-Fi internet (fee)

Modern bedroom furnishings and neutral colors evoke a sense of calm. Expect Kiehl toiletries. Bed linens by Sferra provide a comfortable night's sleep.

Viceroy Santa Monica

With stunning beach views, the Viceroy Santa Monica provides comfortable accommodations within steps of Santa Monica Beach. Amenities include:

• 24-hour fitness center
• Cameo Bar
• In-room spa services and beauty bars
• Outdoor pools
• Whist Restaurant
• Wi-Fi internet

Sleep with Fillidoro sheets and down comforters. Enjoy toiletries from Aromatherapy Associates.

Do you have any other boutique hotels you enjoy staying at when in Los Angeles? Please feel free to leave us a comment and let us know if we missed any.  When traveling to Los Angeles, utilize our parking connection tool to find best deals on airport parking in LAX.