Newark Penn Station to EWR Airport
From Newark Penn, EWR is one stop south on the Northeast Corridor — then a short AirTrain ride to your terminal. The whole trip is 15 to 20 minutes by rail. Here's how to do it without paying twice for AirTrain.
The 30-Second Answer
Buy a single NJ Transit Rail Linkticket from Newark Penn to Newark Liberty International Airport station. That ticket includes AirTrain Newark — don't buy them separately. Board any NJ Transit train marked as stopping at the airport (most NEC and many North Jersey Coast trains). Ride one stop. Take AirTrain to your terminal. Done in 15 to 20 minutes.
| Option | Time | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
NJ Transit + AirTrain Newark Newark Penn → EWR (via Newark Liberty International Airport station) | ~15–20 min total | NJT trains run frequently throughout the day | Single rail-link ticket — far cheaper than a taxi |
Amtrak + AirTrain Newark Newark Penn → EWR | ~10–15 min total — slightly faster than NJT | Less frequent than NJT — check the schedule | Premium versus NJT |
Taxi or rideshare Newark Penn → any EWR terminal | ~10–20 min depending on traffic | On-demand | Several times the rail-link ticket |
Check current fares and timetables with NJ Transit and AirTrain Newark before your trip.
NJ Transit + AirTrain Newark — the default
This is the option almost everyone should use. Newark Penn Station is one stop north of the airport station on the Northeast Corridor. NJ Transit runs the workhorse service — trains depart frequently throughout the day, the ride is short, and the rail-link fare is dramatically cheaper than a taxi.
How to do it
- At Newark Penn, buy a NJ Transit Rail Link ticket via the NJT Mobile app, a kiosk, or the ticket window. The ticket is Newark Penn → Newark Liberty International Airport station. The fare includes AirTrain.
- Check the departure board for a southbound NJ Transit train that stops at Newark Liberty International Airport (“NWK AIR” on most boards). The Northeast Corridor and many North Jersey Coast Line trains stop there.
- Board the next train. The ride is short — typically about 5 to 10 minutes to the airport station.
- At Newark Liberty International Airport station, follow signs to AirTrain Newark. Tap your Rail Link ticket at the AirTrain gate — your fare is already covered.
- Ride AirTrain to your terminal (Terminal A, B, or C). The loop runs every few minutes.
Tips that actually help
- ▶Buy the Rail Link ticket explicitly — not a regular Newark Penn → Newark Liberty ticket without the AirTrain inclusion. The combined ticket is the right one.
- ▶Confirm your NJT train actually stops at the airport before boarding. A few express patterns skip it. Look for "NWK AIR" or "Newark Liberty International Airport" on the departure board.
- ▶AirTrain Newark is an aging monorail and is being replaced. Service is occasionally substituted with shuttle buses during construction windows. Check the AirTrain status page if you have a tight connection.
- ▶Late night and very early morning, NJT frequency drops. The last NJT trains to the airport station typically run through late night, but always check the schedule for your specific time.
- ▶If your flight is very early, consider staying at an airport hotel the night before rather than relying on a 4 AM train.
Amtrak + AirTrain — when it makes sense
Amtrak Northeast Regional and some Acela trains stop at Newark Liberty International Airport station on their way through New Jersey. The ride from Newark Penn is roughly the same as NJT — a few minutes — but Amtrak runs less frequently and charges several times the NJT fare. It only makes sense in specific cases:
- ▶You're already booked on an Amtrak through-trip and Newark Penn is just a transfer point.
- ▶You missed the NJT you wanted and the next Amtrak is sooner than the next NJT.
- ▶Cross-honoring is in effect due to a service disruption.
Note that not every Amtrak train stops at Newark Liberty Airport station — confirm before boarding.
Taxi or Rideshare — When You Should Use Them
From Newark Penn, EWR is close enough that a taxi or rideshare is reasonable in specific situations even though it costs several times the rail fare:
- ▶Late night when NJT frequency drops dramatically — checking the schedule for a 1 AM departure is often worse than just calling a car.
- ▶Heavy luggage or oversized bags that make the train + AirTrain awkward.
- ▶Traveling with small kids or accessibility needs where the multi-leg transfer is genuinely stressful.
- ▶A tight connection where you can't risk an AirTrain delay or substitution.
In normal daytime conditions with reasonable luggage, the rail option is significantly cheaper and only minutes slower. Use taxi or rideshare for the edge cases.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ Confusing Newark Penn Station with Newark Liberty Airport station
They are two different stations. Newark Penn is the downtown rail station in the city of Newark. Newark Liberty International Airport station is the AirTrain stop at EWR. Make sure your ticket origin and destination are the ones you actually mean.
✗ Buying NJT and AirTrain tickets separately
The NJ Transit Rail Link ticket from Newark Penn to Newark Liberty International Airport station already includes AirTrain Newark in a single fare. Buy the combined ticket via NJT Mobile or a kiosk — buying separately costs more.
✗ Boarding a train that doesn't stop at the airport
Not all NJT trains stop at Newark Liberty International Airport station. Look for "NWK AIR" on the departure board or confirm the stop list before boarding. Express patterns sometimes skip it.
✗ Counting on the AirTrain without checking status
The aging AirTrain Newark monorail occasionally goes down for maintenance with bus substitution. If you have a tight connection, check the AirTrain status page before relying on it.
✗ Driving to Newark Penn to take the train to EWR
EWR has cheaper long-term parking than Newark Penn's deck. Park-and-ride from Newark Penn makes sense for trips into NYC, not for trips to the airport one stop south.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coming the other way — EWR to Newark Penn — is it the same?
Yes. AirTrain from your terminal to Newark Liberty International Airport station, then NJ Transit (or Amtrak) northbound one stop to Newark Penn. The Rail Link ticket works in both directions.
Is this faster than going from NYC Penn to EWR?
Yes — from Newark Penn you're already past most of the rail leg. The trip from NYC Penn to EWR is roughly twice as long because you have to ride NJT or Amtrak from NYC down through New Jersey before catching AirTrain.
What if I'm continuing from NYC Penn to EWR?
Different starting point — see our Penn Station to NYC airports guide.
Are there other airport options from Newark Penn?
Newark Penn is closest to EWR. JFK and LaGuardia are accessible by transit but require a much longer trip — typically you'd go NJT to NYC Penn, then use the NYC airport transit options from there.
Can I bring large luggage on NJ Transit and AirTrain?
Yes. NJ Transit allows standard luggage on board. AirTrain Newark has luggage racks designed for travel bags. Oversized items (skis, surfboards, etc.) are generally permitted but may need extra coordination during peak times.
What about the Newark Airport Express bus from NYC Port Authority?
That bus runs from Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal directly to EWR — useful from NYC but not from Newark Penn. From Newark Penn, the rail option is much faster and cheaper.