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.