Image of people sitting in a food court in one of the terminals at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Newark International Airport in New Jersey is a convenient option for people traveling to New York City from all over the world. (Photo credit: Yusuke Kawasaki)

You’ve packed your bags, booked your flight, and you’re ready to take on New York City… but before your adventures can begin, you have to make the connection between the airport and your destination in the heart of the city. New York has 3 main airports, and all of them are a fair distance from Midtown Manhattan. However, you don’t have to be worried or confused about navigating airport transportation– New York Habitat is here with a comprehensive guide to getting to and from the airport.

In parts 1 and 2, we introduced you to all you need to know about John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. Now, with our third and final installment, it’s time to explore the last of New York’s three major airports: Newark Liberty International Airport. Stay tuned for tips about how to coordinate with your New York Habitat licensed agent and host and where to stay in a furnished apartment rental within the city.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Some fast facts

Image of New Jersey Transit train passing through Newark Airport Station.

Newark Airport is directly connected by train to New York City. (Photo credit: Acroterion)

Newark Liberty International Airport is more commonly called Newark Airport. Surprisingly, despite being considered a “New York airport,” Newark Airport is actually located in the neighboring state of New Jersey.  At a glance, here are some of the most important things to know about Newark:

  • Newark Airport is located between the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey.
  • Newark is a major travel hub for both domestic and international travelers.
  • In fact, EWR is the 15th busiest airport in the United States and in the top 50 busiest airports in the world, serving about 43 million people annually.
  • Because the airport is out of state, the MTA—New York City’s public transportation system—does not run any subway or bus lines to Newark.

Don’t let that last fact make you change your flight just yet! Despite being out-of-state, Newark Airport is actually only 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and is actually closer to Manhattan than JFK Airport. There are also still plenty of quick and easy transportation options available:

One of the most convenient options for transportation to and from Newark Airport is by train. The airport is easily accessible by several rail lines out of New York City.

Traveling by NJ Transit Rail

New Jersey Transit offers convenient and direct connection to the AirTrain monorail system that serves Newark Airport. Great for travelers seeking cheap and quick transportation options, NJ Transit rail can have you in the heart of Midtown at Penn Station in less than an hour.

Image of New Jersey Transit ticket kiosks at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Ticket machines inside Newark Airport let you purchase flexible transportation to New York City with ease. (Photo credit: Famartin)

You can buy tickets for New Jersey Transit at marked kiosks at AirTrain stations. The purchase of a NJ Transit rail ticket also gives you access to this airport’s AirTrain, the monorail system that connects airport terminals and the train station. You’ll need to take the AirTrain to get to Newark Airport Station (the station for NJ Transit trains), but you won’t need to pay extra— access is included in your fare!

Traveling by Amtrak

Taking Amtrak to and from Newark Airport is pretty similar to taking New Jersey Transit. You can purchase your ticket at marked kiosks or from a ticket agent at the airport. With Amtrak, you can also book your tickets online or through their smartphone app, and as with NJ Transit, all ticket purchases include access to the AirTrain.

However, Amtrak tickets are typically more expensive than NJ Transit (the trade-off being that Amtrak trains are faster and travel times are shorter). If you’re in a hurry, you may want to consider taking Amtrak instead of NJ Transit.

Traveling by taxi

Image of yellow NYC taxi in front of Newark Airport Express Coach shuttle bus.

Taxis and shuttle buses will drive you directly to your destination from Newark Airport. (Photo credit: Shane Brown)

Like the other airports in the New York area, it’s pretty easy to hail a cab outside a Newark Airport terminal. The cabs can pick you up curbside and will drive you directly to Manhattan, but you can expect the convenience of that direct route to be costly. Taxi fare to and from Newark is metered, and you can expect a trip to cost anywhere from $50-$75, plus gratuity and tolls.

The biggest benefit of traveling by taxi is that you won’t have to worry about keeping track of heavy luggage. However, New Jersey Transit trains and Amtrak often have extra space for storing larger bags, and station platforms are accessible by escalator.

Traveling by private shuttle

There are a number of shuttle bus services that will drive you to and from Newark Airport as well. You will have to reserve your trip ahead of time, but services like the Coach Line Newark Airport Express shuttle will take you from the airport to major transportation hubs in New York City like Port Authority, Penn Station and Grand Central Station for a competitive price, and there’s often storage space on the buses for your luggage, which can be a cheap alternative to a taxi.

Where to stay

Image of bedroom in NY-17625 with queen bed, desk, and artwork.

This 1-bedroom apartment is just one of our many stylish and convenient accommodations available on the Upper West Side. (Apartment ID: NY-17625)

If you’re traveling from Newark Liberty Airport, Penn Station will probably be your arrival point to New York City, meaning that you’re pretty well-connected to any neighborhood in Manhattan! In particular, the direct subway lines out of Penn Station (the 1, 2, 3, A, C and E lines) will connect you easily with these neighborhoods:

New York Habitat has a full selection of furnished apartments, roommate shares and vacation rentals throughout Manhattan. Ask your agent about any of these neighborhoods for more information!

Peace of mind with New York Habitat

Whether you’re moving to New York for months at a time or arriving for a short vacation, booking a furnished apartment with New York Habitat can help simplify your arrival. Here’s how:

But don’t just take our word for it! Below, you can find testimonials from past clients who took advantage of New York Habitat’s unique approach to apartment rentals to cope with a change in travel plans.

What to do if your travel plans change: Our clients’ experiences

Sometimes, the unexpected happens, and our travel plans don’t always go as smoothly as we hope. No matter what type of situation you find yourself in, we’re ready to put our 30 years of experience to work to help you solve the problem, and our friendly owners are in touch as well to go above and beyond to assist you. For example, here are some cases we’ve handled in the past:

  • New York Habitat infographic featuring client reviews from past apartment tenants describing the benefits of connecting with an apartment host.

At New York Habitat, we aim to personalize your apartment rental experience. When you rent an apartment with us, you can travel or move with the knowledge that you’ll have the human touch of someone to help you with any problems you may encounter. If you’re looking to get in touch with one of our agents to help with your apartment search, use our form to submit a request. We look forward to connecting you with your ideal apartment!