How exactly do I get from EWR to Pier 83, then over to WTC and finally to Little Italy and then back to EWR. I know that I can get to Penn Station if that helps at all---thanks.

Budget considerations are the real factor here.
Taxi (about $50 incl. tip/toll)or shuttle service (supershuttle charges about $18 for the first person, $9 for the next--may take longer since there may be others getting on and off before you)from EWR to the pier.
From the pier, (around 43rd st, I think) you can take a cab (about $6-$8--15 minutes ride) downtown, or take a bus (m42 across 42nd, or M50 which takes you up to 50th street) and then transfer on to a 1 or 9 train (at 7th avenue) directly to the Cortland street/WTC-- about 45 minutes total,I would guess, depending on the waiting time) From WTC to Little Italy, you could walk (maybe 20 minute stoll),take #1 bus up Church stret which then crosses over to Centre street, close to little Italy. Back To EWR options pretty much the same as going. Busses to?from EWR are about $11/per person, and they go to the Penn staion area. You can take the M34 bus crosstown but then you'd have to switch to another bus to get up to Pier 43
Whew!
If for some reason, you were planning to do this in rapid succession (e.g. to pick up people, items, and drop them off right away,) you'd be best off calling a car service and check out their hourly rates to shuttle you around!

Could you be a little more specific regarding how long you will be at each location (ie-are you just picking somebody up at the Pier or will you need to get out of a cab at that location, or are you actually getting on the Circle Line at Pier83?... will you have luggage or any other things with you that will make walking a problem?... how many people are going at each leg of the journey, as this will effect costs as to whether taking a cab/bus/train is most economical)

There is a bus that goes from EWR to Port Authority for ~$10-$12. This will leave you at 42nd street and 8th ave. From there you could walk to Pier 83 (preferable) or take the M42 Bus or a taxi. (<--- depending upon how many people, taxi MAY be cheapest). If you give me more details about people/times at each location, i'll give you further details within the city (time is a factor also since you MAY be entitled to free transfers on public transportation)

EWR to Pier 83 -Olympia bus from EWR to Port Authority (42n and 8th). Find entrance to subway station located in PA. Don't enter the station but stop and purchase a $4 Fun Pass which will give you unlimted subway/bus transportation for the day. After purchasing Fun Pass go back to street level and take the M42 crosstown bus - stop is at 42nd and 8th.
YOu want to go westbound and last stop for bus is right near Pier 83.
Pier 83 to WTC - M42 to Broadway and 42nd. Enter subway and take #1 or #9 local, DOWNTOWN, to Cortland Street station. You will exit into WTC.
WTC to Little Italy - Ask for direction to the N or R train. I believe you can access the N Or R from the WTC - ask for directions. Take N or R UPTOWN to Canal Street station and LIttle Italy is a very short walk.
Little Italy to EWR - N or R to 42nd Street and walk one block to PA for bus back to EWR.

Thanks for all the info---2 people, no luggage, taking a 2-hr cruise, WTC- going for a drink and to walk around, Little Italy for dinner.

I would take the shuttle from EWR to the Port Authority (~$10-12), there will a sign at luggage claim on where to buy tix and get the bus.

From the PA (port authority) i would walk to Pier 83 for the circle line cruise. After the cruise, i would either take a cab to WTC OR walk back to PA and take the C or E train to WTC OR the 1 or 9 train to Cortland St. (cab from Pier ~$8? subway $1.50/trip). I assume you're going for a drink at the bar next to "Windows of the World" (whoever gave you that advice did an EXCELLENT job, one of the best kept secrets is having a drink at that bar instead of paying for the elavator trip up to the observatory... same view, almost same money, you get drinks!)

After the WTC, i would walk to Little Italy (if weather is bad, take a cab, but only if the weahter is bad.. it's a hearty 20 minute walk, but you get to see the sights of Canal Street once you cross over Broadway). Walk north to Canal Street and then East on Canal. Little Italy will be on your left hand side in about 10 minutes.

Hard to give you directions back to PA from Little Italy since i don't know how "deep" off of canal you'll be. If time becomes a factor, hop in a cab, otherwise get on the subway and you can almost always get back to the PA with only one train transfer (but instead of going directly to the PA, you may get off at 42nd St Time Square and use the underground walkway to get the PA).

Thanks for everyone's help...couldn't do it without ya.

We may need to rethink our itinerary-how about getting from EWR to WTC? And, once we are there (WTC), what can we walk to in the area before heading over to LI for dinner. Thanks....

You can go directly from EWR to the WTC using the Olympia bus - $11 a person. It will drop you off at 1 WTC on West St. Just make sure you get the right Olympia bus. Cross West St. using the overhead bridge that connects the WTC and the World Financial Center. There is a walk through a park like atmosphere along the Hudson down to Battery Park. If your next stop is going to be Little Italy seek out the Whitehall Street subway station (across from Battery Park) and take the N or R train to Canal St. Make sure you take a train going uptown and not to Brooklyn. At Canal you will be near Little Italy. If you will be going back to EWR from Little Italy go back to N or R train and take that to 42nd Street. Exit the subway and walk west on 42nd St. one block to the PA.

When you mentioned your were considering changing your itinerary it occurred to me you decided not to do the 2 hour Circle Line cruise. Actually you can do a “cruise” and a free one at that - the Staten Island Ferry. If you go down to Battery Park, as mentioned in my previous note you can take the Staten Island ferry to Staten Island. Don’t get off the ferry and take the same ferry back to the city. Great views of the Statue, NY skyline and the bridges over the east river. Great ride, it is free and it can be done in any hour or a bit more - depends on how long you wait for the ferry on the NY side.

I would still go for a drink in the WTC, great view (obviously can't get it anywhere else in the world). If you're into "bargain shopping" there is a place just east of the WTC called "Century 21" that often has a lot of good deals (mostly clothing). You may also want to consider South Street Seaport which is also downtown.

AGAIN, thanks to all.

So, if I understand correctly, we can take the Olymnpia bus to the WTC, from there we will walk to Battery Park where we will ride the SIF, walk back to WTC for a drink (which we will desperately need!), and then walk to LI for dinner and catch the N or R train to 42nd Street-use the walkway to get to PA and head directly to EWR---is that right?

Assiming the Olympia bus to WTC is correct (i have no reason to doubt it, i just don't know about it) the your plan sounds fine. I'm trying to find the name of the bar for you (it slips me right now, but i'll search further, perhaps another poster could help out) but it's inside the WTC and next to Windows of the World.

On you subway trip back to the Port Authority, the stop is 42nd St/Times Square. Then just follow the signs to the Port Authority (it'll be in the direction of the A,C,E trains). If you have a question, don't be afraid to ask a friendly looking NYer, most of us are more than happy to help.

Ok, i found the bar...

It's called "The Greatest Bar on Earth" and it's on the 107th Floor of 1 World Trade Center. The one time i was there was a Labor Day Monday and it was fairly empty so it was relaxing and nice. I just read a review of it and the reviews were mixed but mentioned a $5/$10 cover charge at night (which we didn't have).

If you're going on a weekend, i would try to go to the bar for a drink <7:00 or so as it won't likely be crowded at that time (mid-week i'm not so sure). Anyways, give it a shot, if there's a cover you can just turn around (as the drinks are expensive too!) Anyways, at least you'll have ridden in an elevator that wisks you 107 Floors to the sky.

According to the POrt Authority website there is an Olympia bus that goes to 1 WTC (West St.). Walk south on West street
less than 1/2 mile to Battery Park. Go through Battery Park and just outside the east side of the park is the SI ferry.
YOu can check on the bus at the PA website (www.panynj.gov). Click on Airports, click on Newark and click on Transportation Options.
YOu can take a train from the WTC to Little Italy. Walk east a block or two on Cortland to TRinity Place. There is a subway station for the N and R. Take either UPTOWN to Canal Street (2nd stop). You will exit onto Canal and Broadway. Walk a block or two east on Canal to Mulberry. LI is north of Canal; Chinatown south. When going back to Times Square go back to Canal and Broadway and enter subway there. On your walk east on Canal you will see other subway entrances at Layfayette and Center St. Do not use these entrances to access the N and R. YOu will feel like you are travling in a maze to get to the N and R - again go back to Broadway and CAnal for direct access. I used the N or R for the past couple of days to get to 42nd St from Canal. The first day I entered at Center St. I had to ask for directions twice, and I know the subway system, to get to the place where the N and R stops. Make sure you take an UPTOWN TRAIN. If yuu walk to the front of the station platform at CAnal you will exit near the stairs that will get you to 42nd for the walk to the PA. This will give you the opportunity to check out 42nd from 7th to 8th. You can do the walk underground - just follow the signs to the A, C. or E trains. Walk is more interesting above ground.
Another reply suggested you ask for directions if not sure. I concur - ask, ask, ask - you will find people more than willing to assist.

To"rqf" and "thereuare" - just back from the City-your directions and recommendations were perfect---had a wonderful time. See my next post for another question.....

To "rfq" and "thereuare" - your recommendations and directions were the best--thanks so much for all your help. See my new post in NY - "knock-offs" perhaps you can help me there for my next visit to the city on Thursday.