How to Get to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) from Manhattan

Taking the Newark Airport Express

Board the Newark Airport Express across the Hudson. This is arguably the most convenient way to get to the airport, although it is somewhat more expensive than other methods. The bus travels between Newark Airport and five stops throughout Manhattan. It leaves every 15 to 30 minutes from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., so you should have little trouble finding a bus to match your schedule. A one-way trip will take 45 to 60 minutes. A one-way ticket costs $16. The round-trip is $24. Children under 5 ride free. Check the website for other discounts.

Choose the nearest stop. The express bus arrives in Manhattan and departs from Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, Port Authority Bus Station, Chinatown, and Lower Manhattan. Walk, taxi, or take public transportation to the closest Airport Express stop. If you're staying at a hotel in midtown, then you can book a hotel shuttle for an additional $4 fee. Call the express line for details.

Get off at Newark Airport. The Airport Express should take you directly from Manhattan to your terminal.

Taking a Train

Make your way to Penn Station. If you're going to take the train to Newark Airport, you'll need to buy your ticket and board at Penn Station – the main intercity railway junction for Manhattan. The station is located on Eighth Avenue between 31st and 34th streets. Walk, taxi, or take public transit, depending on your proximity and preference. Penn Station is notoriously crowded and difficult to navigate, especially at "rush hour." Arrive early so that you have plenty of time. Take a subway or bus transit to Penn Station. There's no way you can miss getting there from Manhattan between Penn Station's many subway lines and few bus lines. The A, C, E, and 1, 2, and 3 subway trains will get you directly to Penn Station. Find a bus or subway map on the MTA website for more information.. If you don't feel like navigating the system, you can always take a taxi or an Uber to the station. Walk to Penn Station. If you're already nearby, you can walk to the train station. The official address is 234 West 31st Street, Pennsylvania Station-8 Av & W 31 St, New York, NY 10001. You can also find it on Eighth Avenue, between 31st and 34th streets. Find directions using a map app if you aren't sure. On the side facing Seventh Avenue, you will see a big sign that says, "Madison Square Garden." Enter the station here, but for Amtrak, enter the station on Eighth Avenue.

Pick the appropriate line. Look at the times listed, and pick the train that next leaves for Newark Airport. Aim for either the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, the New Jersey Transit (NJT) Northeast Corridor, or the NJT North Jersey Corridor Line. Some Amtrak Northeast Corridor tickets stop at the Newark Airport center. In contrast, others arrive at the Newark station, which is a good car-ride away and will still cost a pretty penny if you plan on taking a taxi from one location to the other.

Buy a ticket. You can either buy a ticket at an automated machine or talk to a teller. If you're buying an NJ Transit ticket, you should go to the NJ Transit area to purchase. If you're using the machine, you'll need to type in the Newark Airport station code. Indicate whether you're buying a round-trip or one-way ticket and whether you're a child or an adult. One way to find the NJ Transit area is to take the escalator down from the station's MSG side, then veer left.

Board the train. Look out on the screens by the NJ Transit to await the arrival of your NJ Transit train. Normally the trains arrive at the station approximately 20 minutes before they depart. The trains on each train line run about twice an hour, except in the late hours (after 10 pm or so). If you're taking the Northeast Corridor line to the airport, then lookout for the "NEC" sign on the screen when you search for your train. Double-check that the train stops at Newark Airport. As you board the train, there will be a screen on the wall before you head down the stairs: it lists all of the stops that the train will take. The train will usually stop at Secaucus and then Newark Penn Station before your stop. Do not make the mistake of getting off at Newark Penn Station instead of Newark Liberty Airport.

Cross over the bridge to the AirTrain Newark station. Once you make it to the Newark Airport stop, you'll need to take the Airtrain to complete your journey. This elevated monorail ride is your transport between the Newark Airport train stop and the airport. Don't bother calling a cab. You'll need to wait around for more than a few minutes. Furthermore, the mess of one-way streets can be confusing to navigate to the airport via the train station.

Get out at the proper terminal. Check your plane ticket or reservation for your airline and terminal number. The Airtrain cars and station will have a map of the terminals, so make sure you get off at the right spot. You'll need to walk a bit further to get to the terminal and begin checking in for your flight.

Catching the #62 Bus

Try the #62 bus. This is arguably the cheapest way to get from Manhattan to Newark Airport. You'll need to take a train from New York Penn Station to Newark Penn Station, then catch the bus to the airport. The total cost should be about $5 for adults.

Take NJ Transit from New York Penn Station to Newark Penn Station. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs $3.75.

Catch the #62 bus. It should stop along the Penn Station Bus Lanes. Get the bus headed toward Newark Airport Terminals. Buses run every 20 minutes or so, and they take about 25 minutes to arrive at the airport. The fare is $1.25.

Driving to the Airport

Consider driving if you have a car. This is the costliest option, and it may take much more time than the other methods – especially if traffic is bad. The upside is that you won't need to take any public transportation, and you won't need to navigate the complexities of a multi-leg journey. Call a cab or an Uber, but only if you must. In most cases, this will be much more expensive than public transportation.

Enter New Jersey through the Lincoln Tunnel. If you have a car, you can drive through the Lincoln Tunnel, then get on I-95 South toward Newark. You will need to stop for a toll booth several miles after entering New Jersey.

Get onto I-78 West. Take the right ramp from I-95 onto I-78W toward Clinton/Newark Airport. You'll need to stop for another toll booth.

Take Exit 57 for Newark Liberty International Airport / Terminals A B C. Follow the signs to get to the airport. Be aware that some taxis will not take you across state lines.