You just landed at EWR. Your bags are heavy, your phone is at 14% battery, and the taxi line looks like a scene from a disaster movie. You want to get to Manhattan without paying $90 for a ride-share that’s going to sit in Holland Tunnel traffic for an hour. Honestly, the Newark Airport train to NYC Penn Station is the smartest move, but it is surprisingly easy to mess up if you aren’t paying attention to the signs.
Most people think "The Train" is one single vehicle. It’s not. It is a two-part relay race.
First, you’ve got the AirTrain. That’s the monorail circling the terminals. Then, you have the actual "big" trains—NJ Transit or Amtrak—waiting at the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. If you get on the wrong one, you might end up in Trenton or, worse, stuck at a turnstile because you bought the wrong ticket.
The Ticket Machine Gauntlet
Don't just walk onto the AirTrain thinking you'll pay later. You need a physical or digital ticket before you even leave the airport perimeter.
Look for the blue and orange NJ Transit machines. They are everywhere in the baggage claim area and near the AirTrain entrances. You need to select "Newark Airport" as your origin and "New York Penn Station" as your destination. It’s gonna cost you around $16.00 for a one-way adult ticket.
Here is the kicker: that $16.00 includes the "access fee" for the AirTrain itself.
If you have a monthly pass or a different kind of ticket that doesn't include the airport surcharge, the gate at the train station won't open. It's a bit of a localized tax, really. Keep that ticket handy. You have to scan the QR code to get through the fare gates at the transfer point, and then the conductor on the actual train is going to ask to see it again. If you lose it in those ten minutes, you’re basically paying twice.
Pro tip: use the NJ Transit mobile app. It’s clunky, sure. But it beats standing behind a family of five trying to figure out a touch screen while you're in a rush. Just make sure your phone doesn't die.
Navigation: Finding the Newark Airport Train to NYC Penn Station
Once you’re on the AirTrain, you’re heading to the "Rail Link Station."
Terminal A, B, and C all have stops. Don’t get off at the P3 parking lot. Don’t get off at the rental car center. You wait until the very end of the line.
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When the doors slide open at the Rail Link, you’ll join a mass of people speed-walking toward the stairs. This is where the confusion peaks. You are looking for the Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line. Both go to New York.
Look at the overhead screens. You want a train that says "NY" or "New York Penn Station."
Don't Get On a PATH Train (Yet)
A common mistake is thinking any train going toward a city is your train. Some people see signs for the PATH train. That’s a different system. You can take a NJ Transit train to Newark Penn Station (which is a different stop than the airport station) and then switch to the PATH if you’re going to the World Trade Center or Jersey City.
But if your goal is Midtown Manhattan, stay on the NJ Transit train.
Amtrak vs. NJ Transit
You’ll see Amtrak trains pulling into the same platform. They are faster. They are shinier. They also cost way more if you didn't book them weeks in advance. Unless you already have an Amtrak ticket, wait for the NJ Transit train. They run about every 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours. At 2:00 AM? Not so much.
The ride from the airport station to NYC Penn Station is only about 25 minutes.
It’s fast. You’ll pass through the industrial swamps of New Jersey, see the giant Post Office in Newark, and then suddenly—darkness. That’s the tunnel under the Hudson River. When you see the lights again, you’re in the basement of Manhattan.
Realities of the "Two Penn Stations" Problem
This trips up everyone. Newark has a "Penn Station." New York has a "Penn Station."
If you tell a local you're at Penn Station, they will ask "Which one?"
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The Newark Airport train to NYC Penn Station stops at Newark Penn first. Do not get off there. You will see people exiting, and you will see old-school architecture. Stay in your seat. You want the very last stop. If the conductor shouts "New York Penn," that's your cue.
If you get off at Newark Penn by mistake, you’ll be standing on a platform in Jersey wondering why the Empire State Building isn't visible. It’s a five-minute mistake, but it feels like an eternity when you're tired.
The Commuter Experience: What to Expect
The trains aren't luxury. They are functional.
The seats are often that weird blue vinyl. The overhead racks are small. If you have three massive suitcases, you’re going to be that person blocking the aisle. Try to find the "low-level" cars or the vestibules where there's a bit more floor space.
Also, it’s loud. There will be people talking about their hedge funds, and there will be teenagers with JBL speakers. It’s the authentic New York welcome.
Timing the Tunnels
The North River Tunnels—the ones the train uses to get into Manhattan—are over a hundred years old. They are a bottleneck. If there is a "signal problem" or an "overhead wire issue," everything grinds to a halt.
Check the NJ Transit Twitter (X) feed or the app alerts before you buy your ticket. If the "NEC" (Northeast Corridor) is reporting 60-minute delays, grab an Uber. It’s not worth the stress. But on a normal day? The train beats the car every single time.
Why This Route Beats the Bus
There is an "Express Bus" from Newark to Port Authority. It’s fine. But it relies on the Lincoln Tunnel.
The Lincoln Tunnel is a chaotic variable. On a Friday afternoon, it can take 90 minutes to move three miles. The train doesn't care about traffic. It moves at the same speed whether it’s rush hour or midnight.
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For the budget-conscious traveler, the train is the sweet spot. It’s more expensive than the $2.90 subway (which doesn't go to Newark), but it’s a fraction of the price of a Yellow Cab.
Accessibility and Luggage
The AirTrain is fully accessible. Elevators are everywhere. However, once you get to NYC Penn Station, the elevators are notoriously hard to find or occasionally out of service.
If you have mobility issues, look for the "Red Cap" assistants or follow the handicap signs toward the West 31st Street exit. NYC Penn is a labyrinth. It’s currently being renovated (it feels like it’s been under renovation since 1968), so the "Moynihan Train Hall" side is much nicer than the old "New York Penn" side.
If your train arrives on tracks 1 to 12, you can often exit directly into the Moynihan Train Hall. Go there. It has high ceilings, actual sunlight, and better food. It’s much less soul-crushing than the basement of Madison Square Garden.
The Cost Breakdown
Let's talk numbers because nobody likes surprises at the turnstile.
- Adult Ticket: ~$16.00
- Child/Senior: ~$11.50
- AirTrain Access Fee (Included in the above): $8.50
- Uber/Lyft Equivalent: $65.00 - $110.00 (depending on surge)
You’re saving at least fifty bucks. That’s a nice dinner in the West Village.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Arrival
- Download the App First: Get the NJ Transit app while you're still on the plane or using the airport Wi-Fi.
- Follow the "AirTrain" Signs: They are overhead in every terminal. Do not exit the building to the street level until you are at the train station.
- Validate on the Platform: If you buy a paper ticket, hold onto it. If you use the app, "activate" the ticket only when you see the train pulling into the station. Tickets have a limited life once activated.
- Confirm the Destination: Look for "NYP" on the destination boards at the Rail Link station.
- Watch the Stops: Ignore "North Elizabeth," "Elizabeth," and "Newark Penn Station." Wait for the final stop.
The journey is straightforward once you've done it once. The first time is the only time it's scary. Just remember: AirTrain to Rail Link, NJ Transit to New York Penn. Keep your ticket out. Don't panic when you enter the tunnel. You'll be in the heart of Manhattan before you've even finished your first podcast episode.
Safe travels. Welcome to the city.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make this even easier, open the NJ Transit website on your browser now and check the "Northeast Corridor" schedule for your arrival time. If you're arriving after midnight, double-check the "Late Night/Weekend" service intervals, as they can drop to once per hour. If you're headed to Brooklyn or Queens, plan your subway transfer at Penn Station—the A, C, and E lines are right there and will take you straight across town.