How to Travel From Newark Airport to Manhattan by Train, Bus, Car, and Shuttle (2024)

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Newark Airport to Manhattan?

Trains operated by NJ Transit from Newark Airport into Manhattan are the cheapest method for getting into New York. These trains run frequently, are quick, and in many ways are even more convenient than taking public transportation from JFK or LaGuardia airports. First, the AirTrain picks you up directly from the terminal and takes you to the nearby Newark Airport train station in about 10 minutes. From there, catch an NJ Transit train to Penn Station in New York City, a journey that takes less than half an hour.

You only need one ticket to ride both trains, and you can purchase them at NJ Transit ticket machines in the terminal or through the NJ Transit app. The price to New York Penn Station is $15.50 for an adult, but the train also makes a stop at Newark Penn Station. Double-check before completing your purchase to make sure you've selected the correct Penn Station, or you may get fined for traveling with an invalid ticket.

Once you get to Penn Station, you can use the 1,2,3, A, C, or E lines of the subway to continue on to your final destination or hail a cab from the station.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Newark Airport to Manhattan?

The fastest method can vary depending on what part of the city you're going to and what time of day you're commuting, but driving or a taking taxi will generally be the fastest method. Renting a car isn't ideal for a trip to New York City, since you won't use a car in the city and you'll end up paying to just leave it in a parking garage. From the airport, you can hail a New Jersey cab, call an Uber or Lyft, or hire a private car service to pick you up. The benefit is that you can sit back and relax in the car while a driver takes you directly to the front door of your hotel or accommodations. However, rush hour traffic can seriously delay your arrival.

Using a taxi service is by far the most expensive option as well. Taxis are metered and a ride to downtown Manhattan will cost you at least $50, with journeys getting more expensive as you travel more uptown. Passengers are also responsible for paying bridge tolls, a rush-hour surcharge, and a credit card fee, all of which can drastically bump up the price. Don't forget to add on an additional 10 percent to 20 percent of the fare for the customary tip.

Is There a Bus That Goes From Newark Airport to Manhattan?

The Newark Airport Express is a coach bus that picks up from each terminal at the airport and drops off passengers at the Port Authority (Times Square), Bryant Park, or Grand Central Terminal. It cost only a few dollars more than taking the train, but the multiple stops may be a more convenient option if you need to travel around Manhattan after arriving. Between the three drop-off points of the Express Bus, you can catch a subway to virtually any part of the city.

The one-way fare for an adult is $18.70, but you can save money by purchasing a roundtrip ticket if you'll be flying out of Newark as well. Other discounts are also available for seniors, youth, students, military, and disabled passengers. If you're confident with public transportation and executive multiple transfers, taking a city bus costs only $6.

Are There Shuttles From Newark Airport to Manhattan?

Ride-sharing vans are a great option for travelers who want the convenience of a door-to-door ride but without the exorbitant cost of a taxi. These shuttles are especially convenient for solo travelers since they can cost half the price of using a cab or other private car service. Several companies offer shuttle services, such as Airlink NYC and Carmel. Airlink NYC rides are about $25 per passenger for a seat in a shared van, depending on your departure time, destination, and number of passengers. The perk of using this service is that you can get dropped off right at the front door of your accommodations, but it's difficult to gauge your travel time. If you're the first person in the car to be dropped off it can be as fast as taking a taxi. But if you're the last person to be dropped off, it might have been faster to take the train.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Manhattan?

Weekday mornings and early evenings are when hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents are commuting into/out of the city, so if you're driving or taking a cab during this time, expect congested roads and long delays. Since taxis are metered from the airport, you'll pay more if your car gets stuck in heavy traffic. You'll also pay a surcharge on all taxi rides from New Jersey into New York City on weekday mornings, weekday evenings, and weekends from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Though new congestion pricing proposals could add a fee no matter when you travel.

Trains are likely to be extra packed during weekday rush hour as well, but they also run more frequently. There is no train service between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., so be sure to plan ahead if you have a late-night arrival.

What's the Most Scenic Route to Manhattan?

If you're driving yourself, you won't get much of a view if you take the Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel into the city. The George Washington Bridge connects to Washington Heights up near the Bronx and isn't the most convenient method for getting to downtown Manhattan, but you'll get a great view of the skyline on your way in. You could ask your taxi driver to take you along this route as well, although it might add a significant amount to your meter.

What Is There to Do in New York City?

New York City is one of the most iconic cities in the world, famous from films, literature, music, history, and pop culture. It would take a lifetime to explore all that the city has to offer, but if it's your first time in the city there are a few obligatory sites that all visitors must see. The city's most well-known attractions are in Manhattan, and Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Grand Central Terminus are all around the area known as Midtown. If you walk a few blocks uptown along the famous Fifth Avenue, you'll get to the southeast corner of Central Park. But don't just hang out in Midtown, since many of Manhattan's most charming neighborhoods are located farther downtown, such as Greenwich Village, Soho, and Washington Square Park. And that's just a small taste of Manhattan—there are four other boroughs that make up New York City and each one offers something uniquely special.