Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by underanewsun
Disclosure: Some, but not all, links on this post are affiliate links. Purchases made on affiliated sites result in compensation to our website (at no additional cost to you).
Just 18 miles (29km) from central Manhattan, EWR is an increasingly popular choice for many travelers. If you’re going the opposite way, please see our post on how to get from Manhattan to Newark Airport.
This post covers six transportation options between Newark Airport and the Big Apple.
Newark Airport to Manhattan Cost Estimates
| Method | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopter | From $200 | +/- 5 minutes |
| Limo | +/- $200 + tip | +/- 1 hour |
| Uber/Lyft | $80-$120 + tip | +/- 1 hour |
| Shuttle Van | +/- $42* | +/- 1 hour |
| Train + AirTrain | $15.50** | +/- 45 minutes (including AirTrain) |
| Express Bus | $18 | +/- 1 hour |
| *includes tax/tolls | **includes AirTrain fare |
Helicopter from Newark Airport to Manhattan
How great would it be if you could ride a magic carpet over New York/New Jersey traffic for the last leg of your trip: from Newark Airport to Manhattan?
Fortunately, there is! Sort of. A company called Blade offers five-minute helicopter flights between Newark Airport and Manhattan. Their business is getting you from the airport to Manhattan ASAP.
Blade’s Helicopter service from Manhattan to Newark Airport
- Average trips lasts +/- 5-minutes
- Reserve 1 seat or charter a helicopter for your group
- Surprise your special someone
- Save big with the annual Blade Airport+ plan
- ToteTaxi service transports excess luggage
- Read Blade’s luggage policy or,
- Consider using a separate luggage delivery service
Limo from Newark Airport to Manhattan
If you prefer ground transportation, a classic limousine ride is hard to beat. They are reliable, clean, comfortable and private.
We believe in the importance of good customer service. The three limo companies below all have at least:
- 100 Google reviews
- A customer rating between 4.8 and 5 (out of 5)
New York limo companies:
Uber/Lyft from Newark Airport to Manhattan
Take Uber/Lyft at the right time of day and you’ll get the next best thing to a limo for a lot less money. Get stuck in traffic during rush hour and you might face a very limo-like final cost.
Your final cost depends on:
- Delays
- Trip distance
- Your tip (15-20% is customary)
- Tolls
- Time of day
- Current service demand
- Vehicle type
- # of passengers
Shared Shuttle Van from Newark Airport to Manhattan
Shared shuttle vans balance cost, comfort and privacy. They are at or near the middle in with respect to these factors.
Go Airlink NYC is a leading company in shared shuttle van service. In addition to vans, they also offer private sedans and large buses for groups.
They offer:
- Discounts for booking online
- Service between 4 a.m. & midnight
- Drop-offs at hotels, residences, cruise terminals & public transportation terminals
Unlike trains (discussed in the next section), shuttle vans do not require any transfers.
Train from Newark Airport to Manhattan
Taking the train from Newark Airport to Manhattan would be the ideal transportation method if not for one thing: there’s a transfer involved.
For many people, this is a non-issue. After all, trains are economical, comfortable and immune to traffic jams.
Transferring trains, however, is something you may wish to consider when traveling with lots of luggage, small children or someone with reduced mobility.
Otherwise, taking the train is pretty simple:
- Step 1: Take AirTrain from your terminal to a nearby train station
- Step 2: Transfer to a New Jersey (NJ) Transit train
- Step 3: Take NJ Transit train to Penn Station in Manhattan
Step 1: Take the AirTrain from EWR to NJ Transit train
The AirTrain is a shuttle train which loops between Newark Airport’s terminals and a nearby train station. It stops at all Newark Airport terminals.
After collecting your luggage, follow the signs to the AirTrain. Be sure to buy your combined AirTrain and NJ Transit train ticket before boarding the AirTrain.
Step 2: Buying your AirTrain/NJ Transit train ticket
Buy your train ticket by using either:
- A ticket machine at Newark Airport, or
- The NJ Transit app (find it on App Store/Google Play)
When buying your ticket, enter:
- Origin: Newark Airport Railroad Station
- Destination: Penn Station
NOTE: You will take the AirTrain from your terminal to the Newark Airport Railroad Station.
To view schedule/fare information online, use NJ Transit’s Trip Planner.
Notes on using NJ Transit’s Trip Planner:
AirTrain fare is included in the price shown for trips between Newark Airport Railroad Station and Penn Station
Service schedule notes:
- NJ Transit trains do not run between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
- AirTrain runs 24 hours & arrives at terminals every few minutes
- NJ Transit Trip Planner page does not show AirTrain schedules
Step 3: Transfer to your NJ Transit Train
After arriving at Newark Airport Railroad Station, follow signs to NJ Transit trains.
Here’s a summary of your route:
- Board AirTrain at your Newark Airport terminal
- Take AirTrain to Newark Airport Railroad Station
- Transfer to NJ Transit train headed to Penn Station in Manhattan
- Remain on NJ Transit train till final stop: Penn Station
PLEASE BE AWARE: There is also a station called Penn Station Newark. Be sure the train you board is going to Penn Station New York.
Express bus from Newark Airport to Manhattan
The company Coach USA offers express bus service from Newark Airport to Manhattan. These coach-style buses make three stops in Manhattan:
- Grand Central Terminal
- Bryant Park
- Port Authority Bus Terminal
For schedule info, use the express airport bus trip planner.
Newark Airport express bus drop-off locations
Once in Manhattan, express buses travel from west to east across 42nd St. All three express drop-off locations are either on or close to 42nd Street.
1st stop: Port Authority Bus Terminal
- On Manhattan’s West Side
- Located at: 41st St., between 8th Ave. & 9th Ave.
2nd stop: Bryant Park
- In central Manhattan
- Located at: 42nd St. & 5th Ave.
3rd & last stop: Grand Central Terminal
- On Manhattan’s East Side
- Located at: 41st St., between Park Ave. & Lexington Ave.
- Convenient for Metro-North & Long Island Railroad trains