Ediee

My daughter will be flying into Newark Liberty Airport and staying at the Doubletree Club in Jersey City. When my husband and I have flown into EWR we have always taken the train into NY Penn Station, but have stayed right in Manhattan. But with her staying in Jersey City (and never traveled there before) I am wondering if it would be better to use a taxi. Anyone know the approximate cost for a taxi and how long it would take? Her plane comes in around 2:15 p.m.

Governator

I think a cab from the cab stand will cost about $45 - $50. It might be cheaper if you call a car service, though you may have to wait a while for pickup. King Taxi or A1 are two popular ones in Jersey City. If you want to go by train you can take NJ transit to Newark Penn Station then the Path train to Exchange Place from there it's about a 10-15 minute walk to the Doubletree. The train is only advisable without a lot of luggage.

nyc10036

http://www.newarkairport.com/Commuti...axi_rates.html

Cicerone

The link above will show you that taxi fares from Newark airport are fixed. The fare to Jersey City is $35 at the fixed rate. Bridge, tunnels, and toll roads are extra; the driver will most likely take the NJ Turnpike for a portion of the trip, so there will be a small charge for that, maybe $2 or so. With no traffic, it should take about 15-20 minutes to get to that location from the airport.

There are taxi ranks and dispatchers at the terminals. She should follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and/or “Taxi”. She will tell the dispatcher the address she wants in Jersey City, and the dispatcher will write it down, with the fare and give it to her or the driver. That way the driver won’t be able to charge any more than the fixed fare. Tipping is optional of course. There may be some charge for baggage, it would be posted.

Governator

I got this off www.jclist.com

"About 6 months ago, you could get from Newark airport to downtown for about $35 - this was the rate from the airport's taxi stands. Rates went up this year to about $46. I know this because I was shocked with the huge jump the last time I flew and went to get a cab home. I questioned the taxi stand person who said rates went up, I think in March(?). Seems like that web site hasn't been updated, which isn't so fair. I still don't understand how they can get away with such a huge price jump."

and this...

"If you want to travel by taxi from Newark Airport to downtown Jersey City area (and not pay the ridiculous fare to the cab drivers at the airport), call Budget Taxi at (201) 985-1888. They will come pick you up at the airport and will charge you $25 for the ride to downtown JC. This is the same fare they charge from downtown JC to Newark Airport. This is certainly a great deal.

You just need to call them soon after you plane arrives, give them ~10-15 minutes to get to the airport to pick you up."

Hope this helps.

Ediee

I appreciate the advice. I was excited to hear about Budget Taxi and the cheaper fare. I did a little research on Budget and found a different phone number for them (201-222-8000). I decided to call them to check on their rates to the Doubletree. The dispatcher told me $40. I am wondering if they charge different rates for out-of-towners. Could the $25 fare be a special rate for Jersey City residents? Any ideas?? If the rates are too high I guess she will take the train.

Governator

There's no discount for locals.
I just called King Taxi (201) 200-1333 and they told me $25. You might want to try A1 Carma also , I think their cars are in better condition.

If you're not in a hurry and not carrying much luggage then the train is the cheapest option.

nyc10036

I don't understand how you can get a different taxi rate *unless* the taxi company is having you meet them at a different location, therefore, bypassing the dispatcher at the official taxi rank.

The airport is Port Authority property, and taxi rates is one thing that they have control over.

lizziea06

I'm sure that's the case. It would be just the same as arranging any other car service. I don't do this at NYC airports, but I do this all the time when I fly to O'Hare. Instead of waiting in the taxi stand line, I call an American taxi, and they meet me at prearranged location (usually a specific exit door at the arrivals level).