Can someone PLEASE help - TimesSquare to EWR
 

I have looked at the websites and they are SOOOOO confusing!
I will be at a hotel in Times Square.
I need to get to EWR by 11am on Sept 11.
Can someone tell me step by step how to do the AirTrain?
-Where do I board?
-Do I have to transfer?
-What's this about having to deal with/show tickets to Amtrak and AirTrain and PATH??? Are there that many trains and checkpoints?
-How much is the TOTAL cost for the trip from Midtown to EWR? Not round trip, just the one way.
-What time would I need to leave to get to EWR by 11am?
Note that I am not flying, I am simply meeting someone outside of the security check at noon.
I figure if I am there by 11am, I can figure out where I am and how to get to the meeting point.

Please help! I feel so stupid that this confuses me!

Take a New Jersey Transit train from NY Penn Station to Newark Airport Station. From the airport train station (not the same as Newark Penn Station - get to the airport station), you take a little shuttle train called Airtrain to the terminal at EWR. Airtrain is much like any other train found at airports all over the country that connect parking garages and terminals. At EWR the Airtrain also stops at the train station.

You could also take Amtrak instead of NJ Transit but they depart and arrive at the same stations. NJ Transit is almost certainly cheaper. www.njtransit.com .

From Time Square to NY Penn Station? Take a subway or a taxi.

If you will be in Times Square, I suggest you take the express bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal, at 8th Ave and 41st St. The bus goes directly to EWR. Much simpler for your location.

Here's the link to the airport website of options:

http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...portation.html

Here are the actual bus schedules:

http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp

After you follow the links, it seems like you could get a bus a 10:15am that would get you to EWR around 10:50am, depending on the terminal.

If you're staying near Times Square, why not just take a bus from Port Authority? No changing, no nothing. http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp

To take the train, you

1)first have to get to Penn station (34 st.) by foot, bus, taxi or subway.

2)At Penn station you have 3 choices of trains (amtrak, PATH or NJ transit) and where you go and what you do next depends on which you take. Amtrak is most expensive and PATH is least expensive I think.

If you're determined to take the train, try using the trip planner on njtransit.com You'll need to know which terminal at EWR you're going to. Chose NYC landmark option (and either chose Times Square or Port Authority) and for destination use landmark and type Newark Airport.

mclaurie: <i>If you're determined to take the train, try using the trip planner on njtransit.com You'll need to know which terminal at EWR you're going to.</i>

Actually, it doesn't matter. All NJ Transit trains drop you at the same airport train station. There is a $5 fee for using Airtrain from that station, but there's only one Airtrain and it goes to all the terminals, and the cost is the same no matter what terminal you are headed to.

If you choose not to take the shuttle bus from Port Authority you will need to:

1)Walk from Times Square to Penn Station (about 10 minute brisk walk)

2) Take NJ TRansit (NOT Amtrak which is more expensive) to Newark Airport Station

3) Switch to Air Train ($5) which circles the airport - you just need to get off at the correct terminal

Use a car service.

I agree that a bus is easiest (well, other than a taxi). I would take either a NJTransit bus from Penn Station or an Olympia Trails bus -- I think they pick up around 34th and 8th, but you should check their website to be certain.

Bus is easier from where you wil be.
It should take about half an hour, but traffic has been known to make it longer. Day of the week, weather, and other factors (is Bush in town?) are some potential problems.
If you must be at the airport at 11, allow more than 30 minutes.

Train is pretty easy, too. But as others point out, there are more steps.
1) get to Penn Station (walk/cab/subway)
2) Follow signs to New Jersey Transit in the very large station
3)Look at the signs to see which trains go to EWR (it will be marked as EWR)
4)Buy a ticket from a booth or machine from &quot;New York Penn Station&quot; to &quot;Newark Airport&quot;
(There is also a NEWARK Penn station, to make things confusing).
5) Get on the correct train (tracks are listed on the boards just a few minutes in advance)
5) Stay on train about 20 minutes
6) Get off at Newark Airport station
If you are flying Continental, you can actually check in/deal with agent at this stop.

7) Get on the monorail (The &quot;Airtrain&quot; that goes to all terminals and parking lots) This takes about 10 minutes.

Trip costs $15 (plus any cost from your hotel to Penn Station)

I have decided to take the bus for 15.00 from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Since I am not in a hurry and would like to save $$ and also not get stressed from all the transfers and confusion.
This seems easy and cheap... just like my friend Sally :)

Oh... PS... Thanks!!!!

Sorry than I didn't notice that you are NOT flying, and that 11am is actually giving you plenty of time at the airport!
Note that the fare I quoted INCLUDES the AirTrain part of the fare--there is no extra charge to get on the monorail/airtrain IF you have correctly bought a ticket from NY Penn Station-Newark Airport stop.

Hold onto that ticket, since you need it to get through the turnstile to the Airtrain.

If you lose the ticket, or bought a cheaper ticket to another Newark stop, you'll have to pay the difference. It is more than $5 (that's the price for the JFK airtrain, NOT the Newark one)

There are usually uniformed attendants who help people through the transfer