Newark Airport Guide

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of the three major airports serving the New York metropolitan area. It is in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, southwest of Midtown Manhattan, and is a major United Airlines hub.

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

• Terminal A serves Air Canada, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United according to the airport's current terminal directory.
• Terminal B serves a broad mix of domestic and international airlines.
• Terminal C is operated by United and is the airline's principal EWR terminal.

Always use the terminal on the operating airline's app or boarding pass because assignments can change. AirTrain is free for travel within the airport, but its Terminal A station is not directly attached to Terminal A: passengers transfer to the airport's free shuttle or use the covered walkway. United also operates a limited post-security shuttle between Terminals A and C for eligible United connections.

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

Changing between EWR, JFK, and LaGuardia is a separate-airport journey, not a normal flight connection. You must collect checked bags, travel across the region, check in again, and clear security at the next airport. The airport's official inter-airport guide lists current public-transport and road options. Allow several hours beyond the scheduled journey and consider an overnight stay for separate tickets or weather-sensitive itineraries; the onward airline generally is not responsible for a missed separate-ticket flight.

Key fact: Most passengers changing terminals must travel landside and clear security again. The important exception is United's complimentary post-security shuttle between Terminals A and C for eligible connecting passengers; follow United's directions because the operating hours and usable stops are airline-controlled.

Terminal Layout

EWR has three separate passenger terminals along the airport roadway. Terminal B handles a mix of domestic and international airlines, Terminal C is United's principal facility, and Terminal A serves several domestic and transborder airlines. Check the official airline directory for the operating airline's current terminal.

Getting Between Terminals

• AirTrain is free between airport stops and is the standard landside route among the terminals. At the Terminal A AirTrain station, transfer to the airport's free shuttle or use the covered walkway to the terminal; consult the official connections guide for current service details.
• United post-security shuttle links eligible United connections between Terminals A and C without another TSA screening. Terminal B is a drop-off-only stop on the published shuttle route, so do not assume it provides a general airside transfer from B.
• Walking is not a practical general route between the three terminal buildings. The covered walk specifically links Terminal A with its separate AirTrain station.

Do not substitute a generic time table for the connection printed or sold by the airline. Gate distance, terminal changes, TSA queues, baggage arrangements, and disruptions can all materially change the time needed. Separate-ticket itineraries require a much larger buffer and may require collecting and rechecking bags.

International Arrivals

Passengers arriving from abroad who must enter the United States should expect to:

1. Exit plane at Terminal B or C
2. Clear immigration
3. Collect checked bags at carousel
4. Clear customs
5. Re-check bags at transfer desk if continuing domestically
6. Follow the airline's transfer route to the departure terminal if different
7. Clear security again at your departing terminal

Whether a bag can be handed back at a transfer counter and whether a passenger may use United's post-security shuttle depends on the itinerary and airline instructions. Verify this before leaving the customs area; otherwise use the landside route and re-clear security.

EWR is southwest of Midtown Manhattan and south of downtown Newark. Road travel can change sharply with congestion. For New York Penn Station, the traffic-independent option is AirTrain plus NJ Transit; Amtrak also serves Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station on selected trains. For Jersey City, Hoboken, and Lower Manhattan, travel by NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station and change to PATH.

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 airport rail station is on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line. From Terminals B or C, take AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station. From Terminal A, first use the airport shuttle or covered walkway to the Terminal A AirTrain station, then continue to the rail station. Board an NJ Transit train toward New York Penn Station or the required New Jersey destination.

An NJ Transit rail ticket to or from the airport station includes the Port Authority AirTrain access fee. Buy the ticket for Newark Liberty International Airport, not Newark Penn Station, and check the live itinerary in the NJ Transit trip planner before travel. Amtrak serves the airport rail station only on selected trains and requires an Amtrak ticket.

PATH Train Option

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

1. Follow the AirTrain route above to Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station.
2. Take NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station.
3. Transfer to PATH for Jersey City, Hoboken, or World Trade Center service.

PATH does not serve the airport directly. Check both NJ Transit and PATH schedules, especially overnight and on weekends.

Express Bus

Coach and local bus services can change stops, hours, and fares. Use the airport's official public-transportation page to identify the current operator and boarding location, then verify the departure on the operator's own site. Road services remain subject to regional traffic.

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.