Look, let’s be honest. Trying to figure out how to go from Newark Airport to JFK is basically the final boss of New York City logistics. You’ve just landed at EWR in New Jersey, but your connection is at John F. Kennedy International in Queens. You’re looking at two different states, a river, and some of the most unpredictable traffic on the planet.
It's a mess.
Most people assume there’s a secret tunnel or a dedicated "airport-to-airport" shuttle that runs every ten minutes. There isn't. You’re largely on your own, choosing between a wallet-draining Uber, a complicated train sequence, or a shuttle service that might take three hours if a fender bender happens on the Van Wyck Expressway. If you have less than four hours between flights, you're living dangerously. Honestly, six hours is the sweet spot if you want to actually breathe.
The "I’m in a Rush" Reality Check: Uber, Lyft, and Cabs
If you have zero patience and a healthy credit card balance, a ride-share is the most direct way to handle the trek. But "direct" doesn't always mean "fast."
You walk out of Newark Terminal C, open the app, and see a price tag. It’s usually somewhere between $120 and $180. That doesn't include the tip. Or the tolls. And the tolls are the kicker here. You’re paying for the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge or the Holland Tunnel, and New York toll prices are basically highway robbery at this point.
The route usually takes you across the Goethals Bridge, through Staten Island, and over the Verrazzano. Why? Because the Manhattan tunnels are a nightmare. If you go through the city, you’re battling Midtown traffic. On a Tuesday at 2:00 PM, you might make it in 60 minutes. On a Friday at 4:30 PM? God help you. You're looking at two hours, minimum.
Yellow cabs from Newark are tricky because they are New Jersey-based. They’ll take you to JFK, but they’ll tack on a heavy surcharge because they can’t pick up a return fare in New York. You’re better off with a pre-booked car service like Carmel or Dial 7. They give you a flat rate. It’s predictable. Predictable is good when you’re sweating a boarding time.
The Public Transit Gauntlet (AirTrain to NJ Transit to LIRR)
This is the "pro traveler" move, but only if you don't have three suitcases. If you’re hauling luggage, stop reading this section and just pay for the car. The stairs and turnstiles will break your spirit.
First, you hop on the EWR AirTrain. It takes you to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station.
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From there, you buy a ticket for NJ Transit headed to New York Penn Station. Do not get off at Newark Penn Station. People make this mistake constantly. You want the big one in Manhattan. This leg takes about 25 minutes.
Once you emerge into the chaotic bowels of NY Penn Station, you have to find the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Look for the new Moynihan Train Hall—it's much nicer and less likely to make you feel claustrophobic. You’re looking for a train going to Jamaica Station. This is a quick 20-minute ride.
At Jamaica, you follow the overhead signs for the JFK AirTrain. You’ll have to pay another $8.50 (the price keeps creeping up) to exit the station and enter the airport system.
Total cost? About $28 to $35.
Total time? Usually 90 to 110 minutes.
It’s reliable. Trains don't get stuck in traffic on the Belt Parkway. If there’s a blizzard or a massive protest, the rails are your best bet for how to go from Newark Airport to JFK without losing your mind.
A Note on the "New" Grand Central Madison
If you find yourself at Grand Central instead of Penn Station for some reason, the LIRR now runs out of Grand Central Madison. It’s a deep, deep underground trek—seriously, the escalators feel like they go to the center of the earth—but it also gets you to Jamaica Station.
The Shuttle Service Middle Ground
ETS Airport Shuttle and Airlink NYC are the names you’ll see most often. They are vans. They smell like pine-scented air fresheners and anxiety.
The benefit is that they are cheaper than an Uber—usually around $70 to $90 per person. The downside is the "loop." You might be the first person picked up at Newark, but you might have to sit there while the driver swings by every single terminal to find three more passengers. Then, once you get to JFK, they might drop off at Terminal 1, 4, 5, and 7 before they get to yours.
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It’s a gamble. If you’re solo and want to save $80, it’s fine. If you’re a group of three? Just get the Uber. The math doesn't favor the shuttle for groups.
Logistics and Timing: The "Hidden" Time Wasters
People forget about the "buffer."
When you land at Newark, you aren't "at the airport" in a functional sense. You have to taxi to the gate (15 mins), deplane (15 mins), wait for bags (30 mins), and then find your transportation. If you’re coming from an international flight, Customs at Newark can be a 10-minute breeze or a 90-minute interrogation.
Then you have the JFK side. Security at JFK Terminal 4 is legendary for its length.
The Golden Rule: If your flights are on separate tickets, you need at least 5 hours. If you have to re-check bags at JFK, make it 6. Most airlines won't help you if you miss the connection because you didn't leave enough time to cross the Hudson.
Helicopter Transfers: The 5-Minute Flex
Is it overkill? Maybe. Is it cool? Absolutely.
Companies like Blade offer flights between airports. It’s not a direct Newark-to-JFK hop usually; you often have to go from Newark to a Manhattan helipad (like West 30th St) and then take another flight to JFK. Or take a car from the helipad.
It costs hundreds of dollars. But you get to see the Statue of Liberty while everyone else is staring at the tail lights of a semi-truck on the BQE. If you’re a high-stakes business traveler or just really hate the BQE, this is the way to go.
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Navigating the Terminals
Newark is basically a giant circle. JFK is a sprawling horseshoe.
If you take the train to JFK, the AirTrain hits the terminals in a specific order.
- Terminal 1: International heavyweights (Lufthansa, Air France).
- Terminal 4: Delta’s massive hub.
- Terminal 5: JetBlue’s home.
- Terminal 7: Alaska and various others.
- Terminal 8: American and British Airways.
Don't just get off at the first stop. Listen to the announcements. JFK is too big to walk between terminals if you get off at the wrong one.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest myth is that there is a "bus" that goes between them. There used to be the NYC Airporter, but services have been inconsistent post-pandemic. Always check the current schedule for the Express Bus before you rely on it. Often, they only run from Newark to Manhattan (Port Authority or Grand Central), meaning you still have to transfer to a subway or another bus to get to JFK.
Another mistake: Taking a "Black Cab" or an unlicensed driver. They will hang out near baggage claim and whisper "Taxi? JFK?"
Do not do this.
They will charge you $250 and you have no recourse if things go sideways. Stick to the official taxi stand or the apps.
Final Action Plan for Your Connection
To make this move successfully, follow this sequence:
- Check your luggage situation. If you have more than one large bag, book a private car via Carmel or Dial 7 at least 24 hours in advance. It’s cheaper than a last-minute Uber.
- Monitor the "Big Three" traffic spots. Check Google Maps for the Verrazzano Bridge, the Kosciuszko Bridge, and the Van Wyck Expressway. If all three are red, take the train.
- Buy your NJ Transit ticket on the app. Don't stand in line at the kiosks at Newark Airport station. The app saves you ten minutes of frustration.
- Have your JFK terminal number ready. You’ll need it for the AirTrain or to tell your driver. "JFK" is not a specific enough destination.
- Keep $10 in small bills. Even in our digital age, sometimes a skycap or a helpful terminal assistant makes the difference between making your flight and watching it push back from the gate.
Crossing from New Jersey to the deep end of Queens is a journey. Treat it like a separate leg of your trip rather than a simple transfer. If you respect the traffic and the distance, you'll get there. If you underestimate the Van Wyck, it will eat you alive.