Landing at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a bit of a trick. You look across the Hudson River, see the Manhattan skyline glimmering, and think you're basically there. You aren't. Navigating from Newark Liberty International Airport to Times Square is arguably the most frustrating leg of any NYC trip if you don't have a plan. Honestly, it's the distance that gets people. It’s only about 16 miles, but those miles are packed with some of the most congested infrastructure in the United States, including the notorious Lincoln Tunnel.
Most travelers just walk out of the terminal and follow the signs for ground transportation. They end up in a massive taxi line or staring at a confusing NJ Transit map. This is where the mistakes happen. You’ve got options—trains, buses, rideshares, and old-school yellow cabs—but the "best" one depends entirely on whether you’re traveling solo with a backpack or dragging three suitcases with a toddler in tow.
The Train Math: NJ Transit vs. Amtrak
If you want to avoid the nightmare of New Jersey Turnpike traffic, the train is your best friend. But even this is slightly complicated. You can't just walk to a train platform from your gate. You have to take the AirTrain first. It’s a monorail system that connects all the terminals (A, B, and C) to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station.
Here is the kicker: the AirTrain costs $8.50 just to get to the actual train station. If you bought a ticket to NY Penn Station, that fee is usually included, but it catches people off guard. Once you're at the station, you're looking for the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line. Both will take you straight to New York Penn Station.
Don't get confused. Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station are two different places. If you get off at Newark Penn, you're still in New Jersey. You need the one in Manhattan. From there, Times Square is a quick walk or a one-stop subway ride on the 1, 2, or 3 lines.
Amtrak also runs this route. It’s faster and the seats are way more comfortable. It’s also significantly more expensive if you don’t book in advance. If you see an Amtrak train pulling in and you’ve got an NJ Transit ticket, stay back. They won't honor it, and the conductors are famously strict about that.
The Bus Nobody Talks About Anymore
The Newark Airport Express bus used to be the gold standard for getting from Newark Liberty International Airport to Times Square. It’s still running, and for some, it’s actually the smartest play. It picks up at every terminal and drops you off right at Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is literally a block away from the heart of Times Square.
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Why do people skip it? Mostly because they fear the Lincoln Tunnel. If it’s 5:00 PM on a Tuesday, the bus is a gamble. You might sit there for an hour. But if you’re arriving at 10:00 AM or late at night, it’s a one-seat ride. You don't have to lug bags up and down station escalators. It’s basically a coach bus with Wi-Fi. It’s simple.
Rideshares, Taxis, and the "Hidden" Fees
Let’s talk about the money. People see an Uber quote for $55 and think, "That's not bad for four people." Then the ride ends and the bill is $95. What happened?
New Jersey to New York trips are subject to specific surcharges. You've got the $20 "New Jersey to New York" surcharge for yellow cabs. You've got the tolls for the Holland or Lincoln Tunnel. Then there’s the congestion pricing if you’re heading into lower Manhattan, though Times Square sits just on the edge of many of those discussions.
If you take a Lyft or Uber, the app usually calculates the toll, but the surge pricing at EWR can be predatory. During a rainstorm or a peak arrival window, that $55 ride can triple. Yellow cabs are more predictable because they use a meter, but they still feel like a gut punch when you see the final tally.
Honestly, if you're alone, the train wins on cost every single time. If you're a group of four, a car starts to make sense, but only if you aren't hitting rush hour. Sitting in a stationary Camry while the meter clicks up is a terrible way to start a vacation.
The Terminal A Factor
Newark recently opened a massive, shiny new Terminal A. It’s gorgeous. It’s also a bit further away from the train connection than the old one. If you land here, give yourself an extra 15 minutes just to navigate the terminal and get to the AirTrain. It's a long walk, and while there are shuttles, they can be inconsistent.
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Many people landing in Terminal A expect a seamless "New York" experience immediately. Instead, they find themselves in a very long hallway. Pace yourself.
Why Times Square is a Challenging Destination
Once you actually get across the river, the drop-off is its own hurdle. Times Square is a "no-go" zone for many local drivers because of the pedestrian plazas and the sheer volume of tourists. If your hotel is on 45th Street, your Uber driver might have to drop you a block away because the street is closed for a Broadway show load-in or a random security barrier.
If you took the train to Penn Station (34th Street), you have a choice. You can walk up 7th Avenue to 42nd Street. It’s about eight to ten blocks. If you have rolling luggage, the sidewalks are uneven and packed with people. It’s better to hop on the Uptown 1, 2, or 3 subway for one stop. It lets you out right under the New Year's Eve ball.
Common Misconceptions About the Route
- "I'll just take the Subway." You can't. The NYC Subway does not go to New Jersey. You have to take NJ Transit or PATH first.
- "Taxis are faster." Only at 3:00 AM. During the day, the train is almost always faster because it goes under the congestion.
- "The PATH train is a good idea." Not really for Times Square. You’d have to take a bus or Uber to Newark Penn, take the PATH to World Trade Center or 33rd St, and then transfer. It’s too many steps.
Specific Strategies for Different Travelers
Business travelers usually just expense an Uber Black. It’s the path of least resistance. But if you're a budget-conscious traveler or a family, you need a different script.
For families: Take the Newark Airport Express bus. Keeping kids together on the NJ Transit platforms during rush hour is stressful. The bus allows you to stow your luggage underneath and sit together until you reach Port Authority.
For solo travelers: The train is the move. It’s about $16.00 total and takes roughly 45-50 minutes from the time you leave the terminal to the moment you step onto 7th Avenue.
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For late-night arrivals: If you land after midnight, the train frequency drops significantly. This is the one time when a car is objectively better. The tunnels are clear, and you can zip from Newark Liberty International Airport to Times Square in about 20 minutes.
The Logistics of the Return Trip
Going back is harder. Why? Because the "Newark Liberty International Airport" stop on NJ Transit is not serviced by every single train. You have to check the departure board at Penn Station specifically for the little airplane symbol. If you jump on a train heading to Trenton that doesn't stop at the airport, you're going to have a very stressful afternoon.
Also, New York Penn Station is a maze. It’s currently undergoing massive renovations (the Moynihan Train Hall side is beautiful, but NJ Transit still mostly lives in the older, dingier section). Give yourself at least 30 minutes at the station just to find your track. Tracks are usually announced only 10 minutes before departure, leading to a "Penn Station Sprints" where hundreds of people run toward a staircase at once.
Final Practical Checklist
To ensure a smooth transition from the airport to the city, follow these steps:
- Download the NJ Transit App: Do this while you're waiting for your luggage. You can buy your "EWR Airport to NY Penn" ticket on your phone and avoid the kiosk lines.
- Check the Tunnel Status: Use an app like Waze or Google Maps before committing to a car. If the Lincoln Tunnel is red, take the train.
- Keep your AirTrain Ticket: If you buy a physical ticket, don't throw it away after the first conductor checks it. You need to scan it again to get through the fare gates at the AirTrain station.
- Ignore the "Solicitors": Inside the terminal, people might approach you offering "cheap rides" or "limos." These are unlicensed and often scams. Only use the official taxi stand or a recognized rideshare app.
- Locate your Hotel on a Map: If you're staying at the Marriott Marquis or the Knickerbocker, know which side of the square you're on. It saves you from dragging bags through the "mosh pit" of 42nd Street.
Navigating this corridor is a rite of passage for NYC visitors. Once you’ve done it, every other airport transfer feels easy. Stick to the trains during the day and the cars at night, and you'll avoid the worst of the Jersey-to-Manhattan headache.