7 hour lay over in EWR - What would you do?
 

I arrive at EWR in Newark on the 17th of December, a Friday morning at 11:07am. Our next flight leaves for Paris at 6:15pm.

Being stuck in the airport for seven hours is not my idea of fun but if we leave I don't know how long it takes to get into the city and get back or what we could do in that short amount of time. And being stressed about getting back to the airport on time is not fun either.

So what would you do?

Thanks for the help!

You have to be back by 4:15, I assume. Assume you land on time, and the doors open promptly. You get off the plane, pick up your luggage (can it be checked through to Paris?), and leave the airport -- probably a half hour to an hour depending on whether you have to deal with your luggage. Takes an hour to get into the city and an hour to get back. You end up with a couple of hours in the city. Bottom line: you really don't have enough time to go into Manhattan.

You can take a taxi or train(s) to the Ironbound section for a Portuguese lunch..


http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2010/...ided-tour.html

I agree with sf's assessment and add two other considerations. The words on time and Newark cannot be used in the same sentence. Your flight won't arrive on time and your luggage won't deliver promptly. Friday outbound traffic from Manhattan will be heavy whether by train or taxi. You'll need to consider extra transit time for the Friday factor. Manhattan is not a good idea.

Other locals should propose good Newark lunch destinations.

Have a great trip to Paris!

Thanks for the valuable info. Looks like it will be more of a headache than what it's worth.

Agreed that Manhattan would be too much in your timeframe, and especially on a holiday-season Friday.

I want to second ek's suggestion of the Ironbound district. It's the largest community of Portuguese and Portuguese-speaking (Brazilian, Cape Verdean) people on the East Coast, and while not much to look at, there is delicious food to be had! The area is a short, unproblematic walk from Newark Penn train station. If you decide to take public transit, you would take the Air Train and transfer to a NJ Transit train to Newark. (Others may chime in that there's a way to take the PATH instead, which IMO would be preferable.) The trip shouldn't take too long, about 1/2 hour.

You might also consider lunch in Jersey City or Hoboken...

Cry.

In the alternative lunch in Newark sounds like a very good idea.

That day is a gridlock alert day in NYC so IF you've never been to NYC and feel it calling you, only consider coming in by train. http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/traffic/t...ys-20101119-KC

If you're a shopper, Jersey Gardens is nearby and there's a shuttle bus service from one of the airtrain stations. http://www.jerseygardens.com/info/information.cfm

Another idea is to take a taxi or car service to the Hyatt in Jersey City where the restaurant has a view of lower Manhattan. It's not great food but nicer than it has to be. http://www.opentable.com/vu-restaura...tt-jersey-city

I had a 5-hour wait at EWR a couple weeks ago, and there was major renovation going on, making spending time in the airport even less enjoyable. Wish I had known about the Ironbound district at the time. As it was, I grabbed something at the food court and nestled in with Netflix streaming.

I'd also think about purchasing a one day visit to one of the airline clubs (at least you're waiting in a more comfortable environment).

Do you have a Chase Visa card? you can get passes to the Continental Presidents club for 2500 Reward points ($25). Their lounges at EWR are very nice- lots of snack, drinks, big comfy chairs, wifi, TV room for sleeping, nice shower rooms. I think the passes are $50 at the door.

I've spent several 7 hour layovers there. Usually it's only 6 hours if you count getting off the plane and heading back to board.

I'm sure other airlines have similar deals.

There is a Grand Central oyster bar in the Airport now. if you like oysters, it is a friendly place to kill a bit of time too.

I 2nd the Ironbound suggestion--if you go, make sure to get the lobster--i took a client from China there once and he ordered their biggest lobster--8lbs--and took the shell back to China as a souvenir. The food is great,and the area is very safe.Its a very unique experience.Sangria is excellent as well

Not going into the city, thats for sure! I like the presidents club idea and I do have a chase card but not sure how many points I have. Can you just purchase it for 25 or do you have to use points? And I'm assuming that's a per person price.

Another vote for lunch at one of the Portugese restaurants in the Ironbound area of Newark!

We'll be meeting friends next week who have an 8 hour layover. Would anyone suggest lunch lunch at one of the nearby hotels and then just hanging out in their lobbies? Certainly more comfortable than staying at the airport. Which hotel?

Marriott is nice, right at EWR.

Another nice place to dine is the Liberty House Restaurant in Liberty Park, there's another new restaurant there too (sorry don't know the name). Only about 15 minutes from the airport and great views of lower Manhattan. We took friends for dinner there during their 8 hour layover once upon a time and really enjoyed it.

Another time we did the Portugese thing, and last time we took them into the city.