Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of three major airports serving the New York metropolitan area, located in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, approximately 16 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan. As a major hub for United Airlines, EWR handles over 46 million passengers annually and offers extensive domestic and international service.

The airport has three terminals lettered A, B, and C:

• Terminal A: Rebuilt in 2023, serves domestic carriers including JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and some United domestic flights
• Terminal B: Domestic and international flights on various carriers including Delta, Air Canada, and American
• Terminal C: United Airlines hub, handling the majority of United's domestic and international operations

All terminals are connected by the AirTrain Newark, a free monorail that loops around the airport. Terminals A and B share a parking structure, while Terminal C has its own dedicated parking. There are no airside connections between terminals—all transfers require taking the AirTrain.

New York Area Airports

Newark is one of three major airports serving New York City. Connections between them are common but time-consuming.

JFK (John F. Kennedy) — 33 km east

• Primary international gateway
• Delta and JetBlue hubs
• Best for: International flights, Brooklyn/Queens destinations

LaGuardia (LGA) — 27 km east

• Primarily domestic flights
• Closest to Midtown Manhattan
• Best for: Domestic travel, Manhattan destinations

When you might connect between EWR and other NYC airports:

• United arrival at EWR, international departure on another carrier from JFK
• Separate ticket bookings on different carriers
• Price shopping across all three airports

Connecting between Newark and JFK/LaGuardia:

Route	Method	Time	Cost
EWR ↔ JFK	NJ Transit + AirTrain + LIRR	2-2.5 hours	~$30
EWR ↔ JFK	Taxi/Uber	45-90 min	$80-120
EWR ↔ LGA	NJ Transit + Subway + Bus	2+ hours	~$20
EWR ↔ LGA	Taxi/Uber	45-75 min	$70-100

Minimum connection time: Allow 4-5 hours between separate bookings at different NYC airports. Traffic through Manhattan or around the airports is notoriously unpredictable.

Pro tip: If connecting between NYC airports, consider staying overnight in Manhattan rather than rushing. A missed connection on separate tickets means buying a new ticket at your own expense.

EWR is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan and 3 miles south of downtown Newark. Travel times vary significantly based on traffic and destination:

• Midtown Manhattan: 30-60 minutes by car (can exceed 90 minutes during rush hour)
• Downtown Newark: 10-15 minutes
• Jersey City/Hoboken: 20-35 minutes
• Brooklyn: 45-75 minutes

The most reliable option for Manhattan is NJ Transit + AirTrain, which avoids traffic entirely. The PATH train via Newark Penn Station offers another rail option to Manhattan and Hoboken.

Uber and Lyft are available at EWR. Rideshare pickups are at designated areas on the arrivals level of each terminal.

Typical rideshare fares:

• To Midtown Manhattan: $55-90 (varies by demand)
• To Downtown Newark: $15-25
• To Jersey City: $30-50

Taxis use metered fares plus a $17.50 surcharge to/from Manhattan. Total fares to Midtown typically run $75-100 plus tolls and tip. Taxis to Newark and other New Jersey destinations are metered without the surcharge.

Tolls: Expect $12-18 in tunnel/bridge tolls for Manhattan trips depending on route.

NJ Transit + AirTrain (Recommended for Manhattan)

The most reliable option for reaching Manhattan, avoiding traffic entirely.

Route:

1. Take the AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Airport Station
2. Board NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station
3. Total journey: 25-35 minutes

Fares (as of 2025):

• AirTrain: $8.25
• NJ Transit to Penn Station: $8.00
• Total: $16.25

Trains run frequently during the day (every 10-20 minutes) but less often late at night and weekends. Check NJ Transit schedules for off-peak times.

PATH Train Option

For destinations in Hoboken, Jersey City, or Lower Manhattan (World Trade Center):

1. Take the AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Airport Station ($8.25)
2. Take NJ Transit one stop to Newark Penn Station ($1.75)
3. Transfer to PATH train ($2.75)

This route is useful for reaching Downtown Manhattan, Jersey City, or Hoboken directly, though it involves more transfers.

Express Bus

Newark Airport Express buses run between EWR and Manhattan with stops at Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Terminal.

• Fare: $18.70 one-way
• Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes
• Duration: 45-60 minutes (traffic dependent)

Buses run approximately 4am to 1am. Tickets available online or at bus stops.

EWR offers multiple parking options with varying prices (as of 2025):

Economy Parking

Lot	Daily Rate	Notes
P6 Economy	$22/day	Free AirTrain to terminals

Daily Parking

Location	Daily Rate	Notes
P1, P2 (Terminal A/B)	$42/day	Covered garage, closest to terminals
P4 (Terminal C)	$42/day	Covered garage, United hub

Short-term rates: $6/hour in all lots (first 30 minutes free)

Off-site alternatives: Private lots on Routes 1 and 9 offer rates from $10-15/day with shuttle service. Pre-booking recommended during holiday periods.

EWR's dining scene has improved significantly, especially with the new Terminal A and renovated Terminal C.

Terminal A (opened 2023):

• Wide variety of local New Jersey and New York vendors
• Sit-down restaurants and quick-service options
• Best selection of any EWR terminal

Terminal B:

• Auntie Anne's, Dunkin': Quick service
• Limited options compared to other terminals
• Food court pre-security

Terminal C (United hub):

• United Polaris Lounge (for premium passengers): Excellent dining
• CIBO Express Markets: Grab-and-go options
• Daily (multiple locations): Coffee and sandwiches
• Mission BBQ, Classified (upscale bar/restaurant)
• Saison (seasonal American): Sit-down option near C2

Late-night dining: Options become limited after 9pm. Some locations in Terminal C remain open for late departures.

Free WiFi is available throughout all EWR terminals.

Network name: _Free EWR WiFi

To connect:

1. Select the network from your device
2. Open a browser and accept terms
3. Watch a brief ad for free access

Speed is adequate for browsing and email. Streaming may buffer during peak hours. Faster WiFi is available in airline lounges.

SIM cards and mobile services are available at several locations:

• InMotion Entertainment (all terminals)
• Best Buy Express kiosks
• Various carrier stores

Major US carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) offer prepaid SIM options starting around $30-50. Consider pre-ordering or using an eSIM for faster setup.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals, typically near security checkpoints and gate areas. Major banks represented include:

• Chase
• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo

Out-of-network withdrawal fees are typically $3-5.

Currency exchange: Travelex operates locations in all three terminals. As with most airports, exchange rates include significant markups. Using your bank's ATM or a service like Wise is usually more economical.

Duty-free shopping is available for international departures:

• Terminal B: Duty Free Americas near international gates
• Terminal C: Duty Free Americas in international concourse

General retail in all terminals includes:

• Hudson News: Books, magazines, travel essentials
• InMotion Entertainment: Electronics and accessories
• Newark Airport shops: Local souvenirs and gifts

Terminal A and Terminal C offer the best shopping variety. Terminal B options are more limited.

EWR has numerous lounge options depending on airline status and credit cards.

Priority Pass Lounges

• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Terminal B): Priority Pass accepted. Quality lounge with full bar and hot food.

Credit Card Lounges

• Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club (Terminal A): Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. Opened 2023 with Terminal A renovation. Modern space with quality food and beverage.

Airline Lounges

Terminal A:

• The Club EWR: Day pass available (~$45)

Terminal B:

• British Airways Lounge: BA business/first passengers
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse: Virgin passengers and Priority Pass

Terminal C (United hub):

• United Club (multiple locations): United status or membership. Locations at C1, C2, C3 concourses.
• United Polaris Lounge: United business/first on long-haul international flights. One of the best lounges in the United system with excellent food, showers, and quiet spaces.

Day Pass Access

• The Club EWR (Terminal A): ~$45 walk-up or via LoungeBuddy
• United Club: Day passes sometimes available (~$59)

On-airport:

• Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott: Connected to Terminal A/B parking structure via covered walkway. Convenient for early departures.

Near airport (with shuttle service):

• Hilton Newark Airport: Full-service hotel with free shuttle
• Courtyard by Marriott Newark Liberty International: Reliable business option
• Hampton Inn Newark Airport: Budget-friendly with shuttle
• Holiday Inn Newark Airport: Affordable with 24-hour shuttle

Budget options: Hotels along Routes 1 and 9 offer rates from $80-120/night with airport shuttles.

For layovers, the Marriott connected to the airport is the most convenient option, avoiding the need for shuttle transportation.

EWR provides excellent access to New York City and New Jersey attractions:

New York City:

• Times Square & Midtown: 35-50 minutes via NJ Transit
• World Trade Center & Downtown: 45-55 minutes via PATH connection
• Central Park & Upper East Side: 45-60 minutes via NJ Transit + subway
• Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO): 55-70 minutes

New Jersey:

• Newark (Ironbound district): 15 minutes, excellent Portuguese and Spanish restaurants
• Jersey City/Hoboken: 25-35 minutes, waterfront dining and views
• Liberty State Park: 20 minutes, Statue of Liberty ferries depart here (alternative to Battery Park)

NYC tips:

• NJ Transit to Penn Station puts you in Midtown Manhattan with easy subway connections everywhere
• Consider a MetroCard or OMNY tap-to-pay for NYC subway and bus
• The subway runs 24/7, though late-night service is reduced
• EWR is often faster to Manhattan than JFK during rush hour

Newark's Ironbound: If you have time before a flight, the Ironbound neighborhood near Newark Penn Station has excellent Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian restaurants—often better and cheaper than airport food.