Manhattan to Newark Airport-7 Best Options

Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by underanewsun

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People sometimes think traveling from Manhattan to Newark Airport is complicated. After all, it’s in another state (New Jersey), while New York’s JFK International Airport is within city limits.

Truth is, getting to both airports is about the same in terms of time and complexity. JFK is about 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Times Square, while Newark Airport is 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Times Square.

This post presents transportation options between Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), listed in price order (highest to lowest). If you need to go the opposite way, see our post on how to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan.

EWR = Newark’s airport code.

Manhattan to Newark Cost Estimate Table

MethodCost Time
HelicopterFrom $200+/- 5 minutes
Limo+/- $200 + tip+/- 1 hour
Uber/Lyft$80-$120 + tip+/- 1 hour
NYC Taxi$80-$100* + tip+/- 1 hour
Shuttle Van+/- $42**+/- 1 hour
Train + AirTrain$15.50***+/- 45 minutes (including AirTrain)
Express Bus$18+/- 1 hour
*includes $20 surcharge**includes tax/tolls***includes $8 AirTrain fare

Helicopter from Manhattan to Newark Airport

A company called Blade provides the most epic way to get to Newark Airport. They offer helicopter flights between Manhattan and Newark Airport.

Blade’s Helicopter service from Manhattan to Newark Airport

  • 5-minute flight from Manhattan to Newark Airport
  • Blade is not a tour company; transportation services only
  • Reserve individual seats or charter the whole helicopter
  • Frequent flyers: save 50% with annual Blade Airport+ plan
  • Use Blade’s ToteTaxi service if traveling with excess baggage
  • Blade’s luggage policy or,
  • Use a private luggage delivery service

Limo from Manhattan to Newark Airport

For comfort, privacy and elegance on the ground, it’s hard to beat a limo. New York is chock full of private car companies that travel to Newark Airport.

We combed through Google Reviews and found three companies that all have:

  • At least 100 Google reviews
  • Google ratings of at least 4.8

The limo companies meeting these criteria are:

abstract digital illustration of New York City's skyline and New York Harbor. Used to illustrate post on traveling from Manhattan to Newark Airport
Abstract view of New York’s skyline, as seen from New Jersey. Image courtesy of rolffimages/Pond5.

Uber/Lyft from Manhattan to Newark Airport

Lots of factors affect your total cost when taking Uber/Lyft to Newark Airport. Of these, delays caused by accidents, roadwork or rush hour will cause the biggest dents in your wallet.

Uber/Lyft pricing is based on:

  • Number of passengers
  • Type of vehicle
  • Current demand for service
  • Time of day
  • Tolls
  • Your tip (15-20% is standard)
  • Total distance
  • Delays

NYC Taxi from Manhattan to Newark Airport

Your total cost when taking a cab from Manhattan to Newark Airport will include:

  • The standard metered rate
  • A Newark Airport surcharge
  • Tolls*
  • Tip (15-20% is standard)

*NOTE: You’ll be charged for tolls for both ways: going to and returning from Newark Airport (EWR). If you take a taxi from Manhattan to EWR, for example, you’ll be charged the tolls encountered going to the airport as well as the tolls the driver will pay when returning to Manhattan without you.

Shared Shuttle Van from Manhattan to Newark Airport

The compromise offered by shuttle vans works for a lot of people. They’re not as private as a limo or taxi, but they are more private than either buses or trains. They’re less expensive than a private vehicle, but not as economical as buses or trains.

Go Airlink NYC is a leading company in the shuttle van industry. If you prefer more privacy, or are traveling in large groups, they also offer private cars and large buses.

Their shuttle van service:

  • Is available from 4 a.m. to midnight
  • Offers door-to-airport terminal service
  • Can pick you up from Manhattan hotels, residences, transportation hubs and cruise terminals
  • Gives discounts for booking online

Advantages of shuttle vans over public transportation

Advantage 1

They’ll pick you up at your Manhattan hotel, workplace or home and drop you off at your EWR terminal. When taking the train or bus, you must go to a station or a specific stop.

Advantage 2

You won’t have to transfer. Shuttle vans take you directly to your terminal. Trains require at least one transfer.

Train from Manhattan to Newark Airport

New Jersey Transit trains are, for the most part, clean, safe, punctual and reliable. Here’s how to take one from Manhattan to Newark Airport.

Step 1: Go to Penn Station

NJ Transit trains headed toward Newark Airport depart from Penn Station, located at 33rd St., between 7th and 8th Avenues on Manhattan’s West Side.

Tip: If you’ll be taking a car to Penn Station, ask to get dropped off on the 8th Ave. side rather than the 7th Ave. side. The 8th Ave. entrance is closer to NJ Transit trains.

Step 2: Buy your train ticket

Two ways to buy your NJ Transit train ticket:

  • Use the NJ Transit app (find it on App Store/Google Play)
  • From a ticket agent or ticket machine at Penn Station

When buying your ticket:

  • Your origin (i.e., starting point) = Penn Station
  • Destination = Newark Airport Railroad Station

After arriving at Newark Airport Railroad Station, follow the signs to the AirTrain. The AirTrain stops at all Newark Airport terminals.

NOTE: Penn Station’s information boards display an airplane symbol and the letters “EWR” next to all trains headed toward Newark Airport.

To view schedule/fare information online, use NJ Transit’s Trip Planner.

Step 3: Take NJ Transit Train to New Jersey, then transfer to AirTrain

Route summary:

  • Board NJ Transit train at Penn Station
  • Take NJ Transit train to Newark Airport Railroad Station in New Jersey
  • Transfer to AirTrain at Newark Airport Railroad Station
  • Take AirTrain to your Newark Airport Terminal
Colorful, abstract digital illustration of the Statue of Liberty against and a blue/white American flag. Manhattan to Newark Airport concept
She sits between New York and New Jersey. Unless there’s poor weather, you should be able to see the Statue of Liberty when flying into/out of Newark Airport. Image courtesy of rolffimages/Pond5

Bus From Manhattan to Newark Airport

There are express buses from Manhattan to Newark Airport. These large, coach-style buses are known as the Newark Airport Express. They pick up passengers at three points in Manhattan, then go directly to Newark Airport.

Within Manhattan, coach buses stop at:

  • Grand Central Terminal
  • Bryant Park
  • Port Authority Bus Terminal

See the express airport bus trip planner for schedule info.

Under Origin, enter one of the following: Grand Central, Bryant Park or Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Under Destination, enter: EWR.

Newark Airport Express Bus Pick-Up Locations

Grand Central Terminal

  • Location: 41st St., between Park Ave. & Lexington Ave.
  • 1st stop in Manhattan
  • This stop is on Manhattan’s East Side

Bryant Park

  • Location: 42nd St. & 5th Ave.
  • 2nd stop in Manhattan
  • This stop is in central Manhattan

Port Authority Bus Terminal

  • Location: 41st St., between 8th Ave. & 9th Ave.
  • 3rd and last stop in Manhattan
  • This stop is on Manhattan’s West Side

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