You're standing in the middle of Port Authority. It’s loud. It smells like pretzels and diesel. You’ve got a flight at EWR in two hours and the map on your phone is giving you three different "best" options. Honestly, figuring out the trek from Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC to Newark Airport is a rite of passage for any New Yorker or traveler trying to save forty bucks on an Uber.
It’s not as scary as the basement levels of the terminal make it look.
Most people panic because Port Authority is a labyrinth. I’ve lived here a long time, and I still take the wrong escalator sometimes. But if you’re trying to get to Newark, you really only have one "gold standard" bus option and a couple of "plan B" train maneuvers. Let's break down how you actually do this without ending up on a bus to Scranton by mistake.
The Newark Airport Express: The One You’re Probably Looking For
The Newark Airport Express is the heavy lifter here. It’s a dedicated motorcoach. It doesn’t stop at local street corners in Jersey City. It just goes.
You’ll find the pickup point outside the terminal. Specifically, it’s on 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Look for the big yellow signs. If you’re inside the terminal, head toward the Suburban Transit or NJ Transit bus gates and follow the signs for "Airport Buses." You don't actually board this one inside a gate usually; you walk out to the curb.
The bus runs roughly every 15 to 30 minutes. It depends on the time of day. During the morning rush? It’s frequent. At 11:00 PM? You’re going to be waiting a bit longer. The ride usually takes about 40 to 60 minutes.
Traffic is the wildcard.
I’ve seen people make it in 30 minutes on a Sunday morning. I’ve also seen people weeping near the Lincoln Tunnel at 5:30 PM on a Friday because the bus hasn't moved an inch in twenty minutes. If you’re traveling during rush hour, give yourself an extra hour. Seriously. The Lincoln Tunnel is a fickle beast.
Tickets are around $18 to $20 for a one-way trip. You can buy them online, which I recommend, or via their app. You can also pay the driver, but they prefer digital tickets or cards. It’s way more expensive than the subway, but way cheaper than a $75 Lyft that's just going to sit in the same traffic anyway.
Why this beats the train (usually)
The bus drops you off directly at Terminal A, B, or C. You don't have to lug your bags off a train, onto an escalator, and then onto the AirTrain. You just sit. You look out the window at the Meadowlands. You arrive at the curb. For a lot of people, especially those with heavy suitcases, the directness of the Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC to Newark Airport bus is worth the risk of traffic.
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The "Secret" NJ Transit Alternative
Maybe the Express bus is delayed. Maybe you just missed it and the next one isn't for 40 minutes. You have another choice that starts right inside the terminal.
NJ Transit runs the #108 bus.
This is a local-ish commuter bus. It departs from the lower level of Port Authority (usually the 200-series gates, but check the screens because gate assignments in that building change like the weather). This bus goes to the Newark Penn Station area, but certain runs or connections can get you toward the airport vicinity.
Wait. Don’t do that unless you’re an expert.
Actually, if the Express bus is dead, your real "Plan B" isn't a bus at all. You walk out of Port Authority, go down into the subway, take the A, C, or E one stop south to Penn Station.
From NYC Penn Station (which is 31st Street, not 42nd), you hop on an NJ Transit Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line train. These trains stop at the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. From there, you jump on the AirTrain. It sounds like a lot of steps, but in heavy tunnel traffic, the train is often faster because it goes under the Hudson River in a tunnel that doesn't care about car accidents or holiday traffic.
Navigating Port Authority Without Crying
Port Authority is the busiest bus terminal in the world. It’s basically a giant concrete knot.
If you are looking for the Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC to Newark Airport connection, remember that the terminal has two wings: North and South. Most airport-bound travelers get spun around because they stay inside the building looking for a "gate."
The Newark Airport Express is technically a Coach USA service.
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- Look for the "Main Concourse." * Find the 8th Avenue exits.
- Head to 41st Street.
If you see a lot of people with suitcases looking anxious near a sign with a plane on it, you’ve found your tribe. Stay there.
What about the 62 Bus?
You might hear people talk about the "62 Bus." That is a legendarily cheap way to get to EWR, but it starts in Newark, not NYC. To use that, you’d have to take a train to Newark Penn Station first. It costs about $1.60. It’s what airport employees often use. If you’re on a shoestring budget and have three hours to kill, go for it. If you have a flight to catch, stick to the Express bus from 41st Street.
Is the bus actually reliable?
Yes and no.
Coach USA (who runs the Express) is generally professional. The buses are clean-ish. They have Wi-Fi, though the Wi-Fi is usually about as fast as a carrier pigeon. They have under-bus storage for your massive bags, which is a huge plus.
The reliability issue isn't the company; it's the geography. The route from Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC to Newark Airport requires crossing the Hudson River. There are only so many ways to do that. If there’s a stall in the Lincoln Tunnel, the bus is stuck.
I once sat on that bus for 90 minutes. I watched the entire skyline of Manhattan slowly fade into the distance at a rate of one inch per minute. If you are traveling during a rainstorm or a Friday afternoon, the train from Penn Station is objectively more reliable. But if it’s a Tuesday at 10:00 AM? The bus is a dream.
Breaking Down the Costs
Let's talk money. Nobody likes the EWR "airport tax" that seems to apply to everything.
- Newark Airport Express Bus: ~$18.70 (one way). No extra charge for bags.
- NJ Transit Train (from Penn Station): ~$16.00 plus the subway fare to get to Penn ($2.90).
- Uber/Lyft: $60 to $110 depending on surge. Plus the $15-ish airport surcharge. Plus tip.
- Blade (Helicopter): $200+. If you’re reading this, you’re probably not taking the helicopter.
The bus is the middle ground. It’s the "I want to be comfortable but I'm not a millionaire" choice.
Practical Tips for the Savvy Traveler
If you’re heading from Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC to Newark Airport, do these three things to make your life easier:
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- Download the Coach USA / Newark Airport Express app. Buying a ticket at the curb while the bus is idling and the driver is yelling "Let's go!" is stressful. Have the QR code ready on your phone.
- Check the Port Authority Twitter (X) or alerts. If the Lincoln Tunnel is closed due to an "incident," don't even bother with the bus. Walk to the subway and head to Penn Station for the train.
- Terminal Order matters. The bus usually hits Terminal A, then B, then C. Terminal A was recently rebuilt and it’s actually nice now, but it’s a bit of a hike from where the bus drops you. Give yourself ten extra minutes if you’re flying out of the new A.
Terminal C is the "United" Fortress
If you’re flying United, you’re almost certainly at Terminal C. It’s the last stop on the bus loop. Don’t jump off at the first stop just because you see an airport building. Wait for the driver to announce your terminal.
The Night Owl Problem
What happens if your flight lands at 1:00 AM or you need to get to the airport for a 5:00 AM red-eye?
The Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC to Newark Airport Express bus does not run 24/7. It usually shuts down around 11:00 PM and starts back up around 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM.
If you are moving in the dead of night, your options dwindle. NJ Transit trains also stop running for a few hours in the middle of the night (usually between 1:30 AM and 4:30 AM). In those "witching hours," you are basically forced to take a rideshare or a yellow cab. A yellow cab from Manhattan to Newark has a specific set of rules: it’s the metered fare plus a $20 surcharge, plus tolls, plus tip. It’s expensive.
Common Misconceptions
People think "Port Authority" and "Penn Station" are the same thing. They aren't. They are about 11 blocks apart.
If you tell a local you're taking the bus to Newark Airport, they might point you to the NJ Transit gates. Most NJ Transit buses going to Jersey don't go to the airport. The #107 and #108 get close-ish, but they aren't for tourists with luggage. Stick to the yellow signs for the Express.
Another myth? That the bus is faster than the train.
It’s almost never faster. The train takes about 25 minutes from Penn Station to the EWR rail station. The bus is rarely faster than 40 minutes. You take the bus for the convenience of not transferring.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To ensure you actually make your flight, follow this sequence:
- Confirm your terminal. Check your airline app. Newark terminals are not connected behind security. If you go to the wrong one, you have to take a shuttle or the AirTrain and re-clear security.
- Check the tunnel status. Open Google Maps. If the line from Manhattan to NJ is dark red, head to Penn Station for the NJ Transit train instead.
- Locate the 41st St pickup. Walk to the intersection of 8th Ave and 41st St. Look West toward 9th Ave. The bus stop is right there on the North side of the street.
- Have your digital ticket open. Don't rely on the terminal's spotty Wi-Fi once you're on the sidewalk. Screenshot the QR code.
- Board and relax. Put your big bags in the luggage bay yourself if the driver is busy—they usually appreciate the help, but ask first.
Getting from Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC to Newark Airport doesn't have to be a nightmare. It’s just a matter of knowing that the "bus" isn't actually a gate inside the building, but a curb on 41st Street. Once you're on that big blue and yellow coach, you can breathe. You're basically there. Just watch out for that Lincoln Tunnel traffic.