You’re standing under the flickering departure boards at New York Penn Station. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s a little bit stressful if you don't do this every day. You need the train from NY Penn to Newark Penn, but you're staring at a dozen different screens and wondering why some tickets cost five bucks while others cost twenty-five.
The distance is roughly 10 miles. It takes about 20 minutes. Yet, people mess this up constantly.
They buy the wrong ticket. They stand on the wrong platform. Sometimes, they even end up on a train that bypasses Newark entirely, heading straight for Philadelphia or Washington D.C. because they didn't read the fine print. If you’ve ever felt that spike of panic when the conductor approaches and you realize your ticket isn't valid for this specific train, you aren't alone.
The Two-Headed Beast: NJ Transit vs. Amtrak
Basically, you have two choices for this route. You’ve got New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) and you’ve got Amtrak.
They use the same tracks. They leave from the same station. They arrive at the same destination. But they are totally different experiences with completely different pricing models.
NJ Transit is the workhorse. It’s the commuter’s bread and butter. You go to a ticket machine (orange and blue), you buy a ticket to Newark Penn, and you hop on any NJ Transit train that stops there. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Northeast Corridor line or the North Jersey Coast Line. If it says it stops at Newark Penn, you're good. The price is fixed. It doesn’t change if you buy it five minutes before or five days before.
Then there’s Amtrak.
Amtrak is the luxury—well, "luxury" is a strong word—option. It’s more comfortable. There’s Wi-Fi that usually works. There are bigger seats. But Amtrak uses dynamic pricing. If you book a seat on the Northeast Regional or the Acela weeks in advance, you might find a fare for $10. If you try to buy it at the last second? You might be looking at $50 for a 15-minute ride. That's insane. Don't do that unless your company is paying for it or you really, really need that legroom for twenty minutes.
The Ticket Trap
Here is the thing that trips everyone up: The tickets are not interchangeable. You cannot use an NJ Transit ticket on an Amtrak train. The conductor will not "just let it slide." They will make you buy a new ticket on board, often with a hefty surcharge. Conversely, while Amtrak might occasionally honor an NJ Transit ticket during a massive service disruption, you generally can’t use an Amtrak ticket on an NJ Transit train without jumping through hoops.
Navigating the Labyrinth of NY Penn Station
Penn Station is a subterranean maze. It’s actually two different stations mashed together under Madison Square Garden.
If you are taking the train from NY Penn to Newark Penn, you need to know where you are going. The "old" Penn Station is where most NJ Transit tracks are located (Tracks 1-12). It’s crowded, the ceilings are low, and the air feels like it hasn't moved since 1974.
However, since 2021, we have the Moynihan Train Hall.
It’s beautiful. It’s bright. It’s across 8th Avenue from the old entrance. If you are taking Amtrak, you should definitely wait here. If you are taking NJ Transit, you can wait here, but be warned: some NJ Transit trains still depart from the lower-numbered tracks that are a long walk from the main Moynihan hall. Always check the monitors. If your train is on Track 1 through 4, you’re going to be sprinting if you stay in Moynihan until the last second.
I’ve seen people miss their trains because they were mesmerized by the fancy food hall in Moynihan and didn't realize their platform was a five-minute hike away. Don't be that person.
The Newark Penn vs. Newark Broad Street Confusion
This is the big one. This is the mistake that sends tourists to the wrong side of the city.
Newark has two major stations: Newark Penn Station and Newark Broad Street.
When you are looking for a train from NY Penn to Newark Penn, make sure you are looking at the right line.
- The Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line go to Newark Penn.
- The Morris & Essex Line and the Montclair-Boonton Line go to Newark Broad Street.
If you are trying to get to the Prudential Center, the Ironbound district, or catch the PATH train, you want Newark Penn. If you end up at Broad Street, you’re about a mile and a half away. It’s walkable, sure, but not fun with luggage, and definitely not what you planned.
Why Newark Penn Matters
Newark Penn is a gorgeous Art Deco masterpiece, but it’s also a massive transit hub. It’s the gateway to the PATH train (which goes to Jersey City and Hoboken) and the Newark Light Rail.
If you are heading to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark Penn is a major stop, but it is not the airport stop. You need to stay on for one more stop to reach the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, where you transfer to the AirTrain. People get off at Newark Penn thinking they’re at the airport all the time. They see the word "Newark" and they bolt for the doors. Stay seated.
Timing and Frequency: The Real Numbers
Trains run constantly. During peak rush hour, you might have a train every 5 to 10 minutes. Even in the middle of the night, you’re rarely waiting more than an hour.
- Peak Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
- Travel Time: 18 minutes on a "fast" Amtrak, about 22-25 minutes on a standard NJ Transit local.
- Last Train: They run 24/7, though the frequency drops significantly after 1:00 AM.
Wait times on the platform can be brutal in the winter or sweltering in the summer. My pro tip? Wait in the Moynihan Train Hall near the West End Concourse. It’s climate-controlled and has way better seating than the actual platforms.
The PATH Train: The Secret Alternative
Sometimes, NJ Transit has a "situation." A signal failure in the North River Tunnel (the single-track tubes under the Hudson) can paralyze the whole system. When that happens, your train from NY Penn to Newark Penn isn't coming.
This is when you head to the subway.
Take the 1, 2, or 3 train down to Christopher Street or World Trade Center and hop on the PATH. The PATH train also runs to Newark Penn. It takes longer—about 40 minutes from WTC—but it only costs $2.75. If the big trains are delayed, the PATH is your lifeboat. It’s slower, it stops in Jersey City and Harrison, but it gets you there.
Honestly, if you're already in Lower Manhattan, don't even bother going up to Penn Station. Just take the PATH from World Trade. It’s cheaper and more direct.
Practical Steps for a Smooth Ride
Don't just wing it. Follow these steps to ensure you aren't the person looking confused at a blank ticket kiosk.
Download the NJ Transit App
Forget the paper tickets. The machines at Penn Station often have lines 10 people deep, and at least one machine is always broken. Buy your ticket on the app while you're walking to the station. Just don't activate it until you see your train is actually on the board. Once you activate it, it’s only good for a limited time.
Check the "Track Produced" Status
At Penn Station, they don't announce the track until about 10 minutes before departure. You’ll see a crowd of people hovering under the big screens. When the track number appears, it's a literal stampede. If you have heavy bags, try to position yourself near the stairwell entrances ahead of time.
Mind the Gap
It sounds like a cliché, but the gap between the platform and the train at Newark Penn can be surprisingly wide and deep. I’ve seen phones (and feet) disappear into that abyss.
Watch for "Express" vs. "Local"
Most NJ Transit trains from NY Penn stop at Newark Penn as their first or second stop (Secaucus Junction is usually the first). However, double-check that your train isn't a "Super Express" that skips Newark. It’s rare for the Newark Penn stop to be skipped, but it happens on certain holiday schedules or special Amtrak routes.
👉 See also: Lotus of Lompoc: Why This Great Hospitality Inn Lompoc Actually Works for Travelers
What to Do Once You Arrive
When you step off the train from NY Penn to Newark Penn, you are in the heart of Newark.
If you’re heading to a Devils game at the Prudential Center, follow the signs for the "Gateway Center." It’s an indoor skywalk system that takes you almost all the way to the arena without you ever having to step foot on the street. It’s great when it’s raining.
If you’re looking for the best Spanish or Portuguese food in the country, head out the back exit toward Ferry Street. You’re in the Ironbound. You can’t go wrong with any of the spots there, but Adega is a classic for a reason.
Traveling between these two hubs is a rite of passage for any New Yorker or New Jerseyan. It’s messy, it’s fast, and it’s remarkably efficient when it works. Just remember: NJ Transit for the budget, Amtrak for the comfort, and always, always check your track number twice.
Pack light, keep your ticket handy for the conductor, and don't be afraid to ask a local which platform goes to "The Bricks." Most of us are actually pretty helpful once you get past the "rushing to work" exterior.
The most important thing you can do right now is check the NJ Transit DepartureVision website or app. It gives you real-time track assignments before they even hit the big boards in the station. This gives you a two-minute head start on the crowd, which is the difference between sitting in a quiet seat and standing in a cramped vestibule for 20 minutes.