EWR to NYC during rush hour
 

Hi NYC experts. We just booked a last minute trip to NYC to attend a wedding that we were going to skip. We're leaving this week. We get in around 6 pm. I was wondering if Uber or Lyft is easy enough to get a ride, right on the spot, from EWR, or if there are issues we need to consider. Should we book transportation in advance? (We will not rent a car, so that is not an option.)

Also, we are currently living in Las Vegas where it's hotter than heck. GMA today speaks of the heat warnings in and around NY, but the temps seem to be lower there than they are here. Maybe it's super humid there now? I've never been to NYC in the middle of summer, so I don't know if it's like Mexico or Florida where you step outside and immediately start sweating.

Thanks for your help.

Where do you want to go??? Manhattan - up town, mid town ??? Brooklyn ???

Mid town, I suppose. We stayed in the TS - theater district last time and really liked it.

I would take the New Jersey Transit straight from Newark airport to Penn Station. Costs about $12 and you can buy tickets at the airport or through the NJ transit app. Super easy. Uber (and other ride share) picks up out front at EWR but you will sit in traffic when you don't have to.

denisea: That sounds perfect! We are traveling very, very light so grabbing a train sounds so much better than sitting in traffic. And the cost is a fantastic bonus. We can just grab a cab from Penn St. to our hotel. Love it!

Do we have to switch trains at any point or are there direct trains from Newark's airport to Penn?

You take the air train from the airport to the train station, then the train to NY Penn (note that there is also a Newark Penn Station). I’m pretty sure you get one ticket combined for the air train and train.

OK, got it. When we land we'll purchase our ticket. I also understand according to the website that we only need one ticket, and it's only $12.50 and takes 30 minutes to Penn. The NJ Penn is only 10 minutes away, so we won't get off there. My husband is not on board at this point and said he wants to get a cab or Uber, but I hope I can get him to take the train because it just seems to make much more sense for us based on our circumstances with little luggage and rush hour traffic. Thanks for your help!

The train is so easy and so much better than sitting in traffic (even if someone else is driving).

The train option into the city is the main reason to fly into EWR. Why is your husband against a much faster, cheaper and easier option to get into NYC from EWR?

SF and HT: Thank you both. I read what both of you wrote in response, and he said, "OK" :-D

It's been several years since I did this exact same thing for a short visit to NYC and I have to tell you, it worked great. The advice on here was spot-on, just like what other posters have mentioned up thread. It's perfect for a short visit when you don't have much luggage, and such a bargain. And even though I was nervous at the time, it was super easy to figure out. Have fun!

Thanks, musicfan!! can't wait to get back to that city. I just love it and it's been 5 years. Still wondering if it's going to be as hot as we are here in LV. Hard to imagine it's as bad or worse.

You're welcome. I love New York also and have a weeklong trip planned for mid-November. In 2012 I was there in late May and it did get hot a few days--the humidity can get pretty bad, but hopefully you will still have fun!

Don't get off off Newark Penn Station - you want New York Penn. Super easy as stated above take the Air Train to NJ Transit...the NJ transit platform is only Everything is well marked in Newark airport, so you will not have trouble finding it. There is usually someone from NJ Transit around for questions or other assistance. a few steps away and I do it (with luggage) all the time. Very simple and the app makes buying a ticket easy. Just activate right before you board and have the app open for the conductors as they come through. Way easier than sitting in traffic with an Uber. Then take a cab or walk if your hotel is close enough.

You will save a lot of time and frustration in traffic--I promise!

For purpose of clarification, the airtrain stops at NJ Penn Station FIRST, and it is from there that you get to NY Penn Station the fastest! Denisea, you advise do not get off at Newark Penn; are you thinking they should stay on the airtrain and transfer onto NJTransit at Seacaucus Exchange?? If so, they must check the train schedule, not all trains going into NY Penn stop there, probably much faster to go directly from NJ Penn to NY Penn. But I never take the airtrain, as live in northern Jersey, taking the midtown direct into City regularly. As to weather, today was 97 but delightfully not humid, as was yesterday. Later in the week to be cooler. Yes, humidity is the comfort factor. Soooo, not as bad as Vegas I'd say. Just want to be complete on this issue for our travellers.

Lots of confusion in last few posts.

It is simple: Terminal > AirTrain to Newark Liberty Airport Station > NJ Transit to New York/Penn Station

Detailed description:

From the Newark Airport terminal, take the AirTrain in the direction of Newark Liberty Airport Station. This is the end of the line in one direction. (The other direction ends at parking areas.)

Attachment 1086

Get off the AirTrain at Newark Liberty Airport Station and change levels to reach the platform for NJ Transit trains. (Amtrak trains also stop here but don't bother with them.)

Take a New York-bound NJ Transit train to New York/Penn Station in Manhattan, which is the end of the line.
It is only a few stops ... Newark/Penn Station, then Secaucus Junction, then New York/Penn Station.

https://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_serv...SchedulesMapTo

The AirTrain does NOT go beyond airport property, does not go to Newark Penn nor to Secaucus.

For map readers, here's a pdf that explains it all quite simply:

https://www.newarkairport.com/static...sportation.pdf

The AirTran is free to RIDE all the way to the Airport Station. Once there, you can quickly & easily purchase a New Jersey Transit ticket from EWR to New York Penn Station. You MUST have a ticket (NJT or Amtrak) to EXIT the Airport Station and get to the rail tracks. There is a waiting room, with restrooms, near the tracks used by NJT. When your train arrives, just get on, find a seat, and wait for the conductor to check your ticket.

Ellenm, thank you for the clarification. The airtrain brings you to the EWR airport station along the NE corridor line, where its first stop is Newark Penn Station. Agree, best way for transport into Manhattan, esp at rush hour.

I think the term "AirTran for the monorail at Newark is very confusing. It makes it sound more complicated than it is ("Am I riding on two different trains?").

It is simply Newark's on-site people mover to the edge of the airport property. It runs between the terminals/parking with a stop at a small train station (with elevators and escalators, yay!). At that station, you will catch the NJ Transit train to NY Penn Station. I find it cheap and usually faster than driving into the city.
Do not take an (expensive) Amtrak train and do not get off at New Jersey's Penn station.
When you arrive at NYC Penn station, the train will stop and everyone will get out. Take the escalator upstairs and follow signs to other train/subway lines or to get outside.

It is a little more complicated when you go FROM NYC to EWR airport. You first have to find the ticket counters for NJ Transit in the middle of Penn Station. After you get your ticket, you have to watch the signs since they don't announce the platform till the last second.

Train in to midtown is almost always better than a bus or cab/uber, but especially so at peak travel times. The back up at the tunnel can be horrid.

Yes, lcuy, it IS definitely confusing that EWR calls its monorail "Air train" The info here helps make it a bit more understandable.

So just in case OP is not clear - when you arrive EWR you will ride the Air Train (airport monorail transit) to the Newark Liberty train station stop, its terminal destination. That train station serves both Amtrak and NJ Transit - NJT is cheaper for the same service, take it. You purchase your ticket at the vending machine just before the turnstile controlling access to the Newark Liberty train station which you will pass by inserting your just purchased train ticket. Hold on to your ticket so you can show it to the conductor on the train. Stay on until the final stop which is NY Penn station. From there grab a cab to your hotel.