How to Get From Newark Airport to Manhattan

By train

Take the AirTrain from your terminal to the Newark Liberty Airport station. From there, board NJ Transit or Amtrak to New York Penn Station.

The train itself runs about half an hour. Buy the ticket in the NJ Transit app or at the station before you board. The AirTrain fee is part of it. Trains stop late at night, so check the last one.

By bus

Express buses run from the airport into Manhattan. They stop at spots such as Port Authority, Bryant Park and Grand Central. Traffic decides the time.

By taxi or rideshare

This is the easiest with heavy bags. It is also the most expensive, and the Lincoln Tunnel can jam. Ask about the fare, plus tolls and surcharges, before you get in a taxi.

Newark airport to Manhattan: which is best?

Staying near Penn Station? Take the train. Going to Midtown East or Grand Central? A bus may be easier. Landing late at night? A car.

Our hotels near Newark airport page covers overnight stays, or you can compare Newark airport hotels. For Midtown, see hotels near Penn Station.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get From Newark Airport to Midtown Manhattan and New York City

When planning how to get from Newark Airport to Midtown Manhattan, choosing the right public transportation or commuter rail link depends on your arrival time, how much luggage you are carrying, and where your New York City hotel is located. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) sits roughly 15 miles southwest of Midtown across the Hudson River in New Jersey, making it just as close to many Manhattan neighborhoods as John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Every terminal at Airport EWR—including Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C—connects to the airport monorail system. Before choosing between NJ Transit trains, the Newark Airport Express bus, or airport taxis, it helps to compare total travel time, ticket price, and how many transfers your route requires once you arrive in New York.

Riding NJ Transit Trains and Amtrak From Liberty International Airport EWR to New York Penn Station

For most travelers, taking an NJ Transit train is the fastest and most reliable public transit option from EWR to Manhattan. After collecting your bags at the terminal, follow the signs to the monorail for a short ride to the Newark Airport train station. Your combined NJ Transit ticket automatically covers the AirTrain fee, so keep your printed ticket or mobile QR code handy to scan at the fare gates when entering or exiting the airport train station.

From the platform, frequent NJ Transit trains run along the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines directly into New York Penn Station at 34th Street and Eighth Avenue. The trip duration from the rail platform to Penn Station is typically 22 to 25 minutes, and total travel time from your terminal gate to Midtown is about 35 to 45 minutes. While you can also buy an Amtrak ticket in advance for the same tracks, Amtrak fares cost more without saving time, and NJ Transit tickets remain flexible for any departure.

Taking the Newark Airport Express Bus to Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park, and Grand Central

If you prefer a direct bus with curbside luggage loading and no stairways or rail transfers, the Newark Airport Express bus picks up outside all three terminals. This Newark Airport Express service runs straight through the Lincoln Tunnel into Midtown Manhattan with three convenient stops: Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd Street and Eighth Avenue), Bryant Park (42nd Street and Fifth Avenue), and Grand Central Station (41st Street and Lexington Avenue).

When traffic conditions are light at midday or on weekends, buses complete the ride in 45 to 55 minutes. During weekday rush hours, however, tunnel bottlenecks can extend travel times past 75 minutes. Still, for visitors staying near Fifth Avenue or Grand Central who want a one-seat ride without navigating subway stairs, the express bus is a comfortable alternative.

The Cheapest Way from EWR to Manhattan: Newark Penn Station and the PATH Train

Travelers looking for the cheapest way into Lower Manhattan or the Financial District can pair local NJ Transit service with the PATH commuter train through Jersey City. Instead of riding the airport monorail, board NJ Transit bus route 62 outside the terminal for a short ride to Newark Penn Station, then transfer across the platform to the PATH train bound for the World Trade Center.

Although this cheapest option requires two transfers and takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes, total fares stay under ten dollars because you bypass the airport monorail surcharge. Once you step off at the World Trade Center Oculus, you have immediate indoor access to multiple NYC subway lines serving Downtown, SoHo, and Brooklyn.

Comparing Official Taxi Ranks, Rideshares, and Late-Night Service on Your Next Trip

If you land after 1:00 a.m. when commuter trains pause.

Common questions