Newark Liberty International Airport

Planes at Terminal C with Manhattan's skyline in the background

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR  ^IATA) is west of New York City in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. It is one of three major airports in the New York metropolitan area, along with John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, both in Queens.

Understand

Newark opened in 1928 as the only airport in Metro New York, but became pretty deserted when LaGuardia Airport opened in Queens, New York. After World War II, commercial activity returned to the airport. Gradually, it grew to the massive international hub it is today.

Before 9/11, the airport was called "Newark International Airport". The word "liberty" was added to the airport's name after 9/11 to honor the victims, as one of the four hijacked planes that day, United Airlines Flight 93, took off from this airport. Additionally, the word "liberty" is also a reference to the Statue of Liberty 7 miles (11.4 km) east of the airport.

Visitor information

Call ☏ +1-800-EWR-INFO (397-4636), +1 973 961-6000.

Flights

The airport has three sprawling terminals, labeled A, B, and C, arranged in a semicircle around a central roadway. Terminal C is the home of United Airlines' major East Coast hub, having consolidated most of its New York-area operations from JFK to this airport. As a rule of thumb, most international airlines use Terminal B while most domestic airlines use Terminal A.

A new Terminal A was opened in March 2023, greatly improving the efficiency and amenities available compared to the old Terminal A which has been closed.

Terminal A Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue (note 1), United Express (note 2)

Terminal B Aer Lingus, Air China, Air India, Allegiant Air, Austrian Airlines, Avianca El Salvador, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, El Al, Elite Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, French Bee, Icelandair, JetBlue (note 1), La Compagnie, Level Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Porter Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Sun Country, Spirit Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, TAP Portugal, United Airlines (note 2), Virgin Atlantic

Terminal C United Airlines (note 2), United Express (note 2)

Flights arriving from international destinations will arrive in Terminal B. Check your departure or arrival terminal. International United flights arrive at Terminals B or C while United Mainline and Express flights can either depart from or arrive at Terminals A or C.

Singapore Airlines' flight from Newark to Singapore is the longest nonstop commercial flight in the world, taking around 19 hours to cover a distance of 9,521 miles (15,323 km).

Ground transportation

Map of the airport (New Terminal A is to the south of the old one)

Newark Liberty is well connected to New York City by both train and bus. The NJ Transit train brings you to New York Penn Station in western Midtown Manhattan for $16.80 (one-way adult ticket as of July 2024). If you are with a few people, you could consider a taxi, which will set you back around $60 plus tip.

By bus

• New Jersey Transit Bus #62 - The most inexpensive option, New Jersey Transit bus #62 runs from in front of the airport terminals to Newark Penn Station (one-way fare $1.80; exact change only on bus or buy in phone app; 25 minutes). From there, you may take a PATH subway train ($2.75) either to World Trade Center station in lower Manhattan (25 minutes), or, to Journal Square, where you can transfer to the Journal Square-33rd Street train across the platform, which runs to the following stops along 6th Avenue: Christopher St in Greenwich Village, 9th St, 14th St, 23rd St, and 33rd St. Plan on 90 minutes including waiting times. As a word of caution, note that this is not a well-publicized option; you may well find yourself to be the only tourist on the bus, so don't expect much help or companionship in finding your way. The bus runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but be careful at night, as this bus travels through some rough areas.
  • Other buses, such as the Go 28 Bus, the 37 Bus, the 40 Bus, and the #67 Bus stop in Newark Airport at Terminals A, B, and C. Passengers who are stopped at the North Area of Newark Airport can be transferred by the Go 28 Bus.
• Go 28 Bus - a limited stop service that also travels to downtown, with continuing service to North Newark.
• Newark Airport Express Bus - ($16 one way, $28 round-trip) runs every 15 minutes to 42nd street in Manhattan. It stops in the Port Authority, outside of Bryant Park, and outside of Grand Central. The trip takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic. At peak times (afternoons in particular), the bus to the airport can fill up at the first stop, so allow extra time for mishaps, and try to catch it at Grand Central.

By train

• Newark Liberty International Airport Station - The station can be accessed directly by New Jersey Transit's Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Lines, as well as Amtrak's Northeast Regional and (some) Keystone services. At the station, you can disembark and board the AirTrain Newark monorail to get any of the three terminals, as well as airport parking lots. There is an $8.50 fee for passing between AirTrain and NJT/Amtrak (children 11 and under are exempt). The fee is included in the ticket price when you buy an NJT/Amtrak ticket starting or ending at this station, so be sure to keep your ticket so that you can pass through the gates (Amtrak tickets use the embedded magnetic strip to clear through the gates, while NJT tickets use a QR code). You can also use a ticket or monthly pass for a station beyond Newark Airport Station (e.g., a monthly pass from Metropark to New York-Penn) to get to the train station, but you will need to pay the fee separately to cross the overpass and get to AirTrain -- ask the station attendant at the booth where the turnstiles are. From this station, NJ Transit trains run north to Newark Penn Station (about 6 minutes) and New York Penn Station (about 25-30 minutes); for other North Jersey destinations served by NJ Transit, change at Secaucus Junction. NJ Transit trains also run south along the Jersey Shore as far as Bayhead (2 hours or more to get this far, though) and Trenton (30-50 minutes depending on the time of day); from the latter you can change for a SEPTA train to Philadelphia 30th Street (about an additional 30 minutes, not including wait time). NJ Transit from New York Penn Station takes about 30 minutes and costs $16.80 one-way. Amtrak trains also run north to New York Penn Station and south to Trenton and Philadelphia before moving on to points all along the East Coast, though they will be more expensive. Two things to note if you're taking the train to New York:
  • First, NJ Transit tickets are not valid on Amtrak trains. Amtrak tickets are valid for NJT trains, if you find it necessary.
  • Second, NJ Transit trains stop at both Penn Station in Newark and at Penn Station in New York, so if your destination is Manhattan stay on until the second Penn Station (past Secaucus Junction). The platforms in the Manhattan station are below street-level following a stretch of underground travel through the tunnels under the Hudson River while the platforms in the Newark station are above street level -- if you're seeing most of the disembarking passengers walking down stairs, get back on the train as soon as possible because you're still in Newark (the stairs at the New York station lead up.)

By taxi

• Taxis - Travelers from EWR to New York City are charged a flat rate based on the destination (the dispatcher will note the fare and destination on the taxi form). The fare to most parts of Manhattan is $50–70. Tips and round trips tolls ($8 to/from Manhattan) are extra. You may also pay a ~$2 toll if the driver uses the New Jersey Turnpike. A $5 surcharge is added for trips to New York, except Staten Island, during weekday rush hours or weekend afternoons. There is also a 10% discount for people above age 62.

By car

Car rentals have been consolidated and moved to a new parking deck next to the new Terminal A. If you have landed at Terminal A it is one floor above the arrival level, across the footbridge. From Terminals B and C you will need to take AirTrain to get to Terminal A; from there it is a 5-10 minute walk.

If you're driving yourself to EWR or getting a friend to drop you off, there are many highways that can get you to the airport. US-1/US-9 (they run concurrent around here) is the highway with immediate access to the road loop that feeds into the airport itself and its parking lots (both short- and long-term) and terminals. Interstate 78 is most useful if you're coming from the east (Jersey City and Manhattan) or west (the North Jersey suburbs) as Exit 57 is dedicated to feeding you directly to the airport entrance. The New Jersey Turnpike funnels traffic to the airport from north and south: from the north driving southbound exit the Turnpike at Exit 14/14A/14B/14C towards I-78 where you will soon reach the previously-mentioned Exit 57; from the south driving northbound Exit 13A will lead you to a short stretch of NJ-81 before leading you to the airport itself, a relatively new construction that eliminates the previous looping onto US-1/US-9 and U-turning before hitting the Turnpike tolls.

The airport's road access is centered around the elevated loop that funnels drop-off/pick-up traffic for each of the terminals, meaning if you happen to miss your terminal's exit you can loop back around again. Signs listing which airline flies out of each terminal can be seen on the approach, though there's not a lot distance between the signs telling you where the exit to the terminal is and the actual exit. Each terminal has multiple levels to separate drivers picking up arriving passengers (Level 1) from those dropping off departing passengers (Level 2 for Terminals A and B; Terminal C has two departing Levels 2 and 3 with 3 meant for United MileagePlus frequent fliers and business/first class passengers though this isn't really enforced at the curbside). Short-term parking for each of the terminals is also available, though to access them you have to split off from the road before the elevated loop and follow the signs; you can use cash, card, or EZ-Pass to pay.

Arrival levels frequently have significant traffic back-ups piling all the way back to the main loop, especially during busy travel periods and times of day (this is more so the case for Terminals B and C; the new Terminal A has more lead-up road length to the curbside entrances). If both you and your friend are in cell phone contact you can try to arrange a pickup at the departure levels instead if those levels are not as busy (for instance, nighttime). The P4 Daily Parking lot station can also be used as an alternative pick-up point as it can be reached by AirTrain -- it normally serves as the pick-up point for hotel shuttles and valet parking, but there's generally less traffic there than in front of the terminals if the arrival is willing to walk a bit.

Exiting the airport by car can be a bit tricky as there's not a lot of distance from the signs telling you where each exit leads to and the exits themselves, which may require you to cross several lanes in a short amount of time; add on top of that the fact that the way to re-enter the loop road is in the far left lane which may make for some rather sudden lane-crossings. Be aware of your surroundings as you drive to your exit.

Daily and long-term parking is also available at the airport, accessible via a side road off from the central loop when you have your car and AirTrain or shuttle bus when you don't. Off-site privately-run parking lots are also available -- they operate their own shuttle buses between the lots and the terminals.

Be aware of cars parked on the shoulders of highway exits leading into the airport -- oftentimes drivers who are waiting to pick up their friends from an arriving flight will park there and wait until their friend calls that their plane has landed. This happens for a couple of reasons: short-term parking is pricey ($5.25 per half hour, so it jumps to $10.50 after 31 minutes), and the arrival levels of each terminal are patrolled by the Port Authority Police Department who will regularly ask drivers that aren't actively loading or unloading to move along, which while not the end of the world since a driver can loop around again to get back to their previous spot can be a pain due to heavy traffic backups that happen at busy times. A cell phone lot is available near P4 (Daily Parking) that can hold about 100 cars, but this is a relatively new thing, it's located off of the main loop road after all the terminals, the signs leading to it are not well-marked, and the airport's chronic construction and spaghetti-like road design tends to camouflage it further, which is why you'll still see the previously-mentioned parked cars on shoulders until a PAPD patrol chases them off.

Get around

The automated AirTrain Newark monorail system travels frequently (every 3-5 minutes) between the three terminals, as well as some of the parking areas and, as mentioned above, the Newark Airport rail station (about a 15-minute ride from Terminal A, the farthest of the three from the station). Within the terminals it is easily accessed via elevators and escalators and runs 24 hours, though during off-peak hours (late evening/early morning) or construction projects trains may run in segments rather than the entire length which will force you to disembark and wait for another train to take you onward -- plan accordingly if you're arriving at the airport during that time via train station or the airport parking lots. AirTrain is before security, so plan extra time if you need to use it for a connecting flight. There is an $8.25 surcharge for exiting the AirTrain and going onto an Amtrak or NJ Transit train after, but this is usually included in your rail ticket at purchase. Note that the station for the new Terminal A is a 15-minute walk from the Terminal itself, though thankfully most of it is indoors as it walks along the parking garage for Terminal A and rental cars -- a shuttle bus is also available for those who cannot make that walk by themselves due to physical limitations or baggage.

United operates a post-security shuttle bus service between the terminals, but only for passengers connecting on United-branded flights. As of December 2017, the shuttle stops gate C71, tow locations at terminal B and gate A28. Security checkpoints have been moved up so that all fingers connect to each other airside, and thus there is no longer a need to re-pass through security screening if transferring between flights within Terminal C.

Wait

If you want to get some good views of airplanes, ride the AirTrain around. It may even be worth it to explore other terminals.

Lounges

• American Admirals Club. (updated Apr 2018)
• Art and Lounge. (updated Apr 2018)
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. (updated Apr 2018)
• British Airways Galleries Lounge. (updated Apr 2018)
• Delta Sky Club. (updated Apr 2018)
• United Lounges. (updated May 2018)
  • United Polaris Lounge, Between gates 102 and 120. (updated May 2018)
  • United Clubs. (updated May 2018)
    • Terminal C, upper level, near Gate C74. (updated May 2018)
    • Terminal A, Concoursa A2. (updated May 2018)
    • Terminal C, near C124. (updated May 2018)
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Terminal B after security. (updated Apr 2018)

Eat and drink

Each terminal has plenty of restaurant options before and after security (see Shops, Restaurants, Services and Amenities), but many are mediocre at best. Terminals A and C have been renovated, though, and many great options are available there.

In Terminal A, Jersey Mike's Subs is a good pre-security take-out option, while Phillips Seafood (Gates A30-39) is a good sit-down option airside.

Terminal C offers several options spread throughout the branches of the terminal. All of the restaurants listed below are outfitted with ordering on iPads and offer power outlets at seats. All have counters or bars and some also have tables. United customers can pay with miles and United credit card holders receive a discount, as of 2017.

• In between gates C107-109, the Happy Clam offers counter and to-go service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Though the breakfast food is average, it is convenient for early sit-down meals.
• Garden State Diner offers classic diner fare.
• Next to gate C103, Little Purse dumplings offers dumplings, including dumplings and kimchee omelets for breakfast.
• Next to gate C102, Proof offers a bar and dining, including counters and a few tables.
• Just past security, next to gate C101, Vanguard Kitchen offers an enclosed restaurant with tables and bar.
• Across from gate C70, Abruzzo is an enclosed restaurant that bills itself an Italian steakhouse, with breakfast including farro, frittatas, ricotta pancakes, and avocado toast.
• In the gate C120-135 wing, Saison offers classic French food.

Connect

Like JFK Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport also has Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport provided by Boingo, but at various prices. Boingo gives users 30 minutes of free usage at 5 Mbits/second, and upon expiry charges for additional usage as a day pass or a recurring monthly charge. However, if one clears the web browser cookies and cache related to the "Boingo" domain, you can keep signing up for more free 30 minute sessions.

You can buy a pay as you go plan for $4.95 or a Day Pass with unlimited access $7.95. If you're willing to buy a Day Pass and know you'll be staying in Newark more than a few days within the month, you could also buy a month pass for only $9.95.

Cope

A children's play area is available in the central pier of Terminal A (Gates A15-A22).

Currency exchanges are available in Terminal B at the departure levels, both before and after security (the latter in the B60-68 extension).

A general meditation room is located just past security in Terminal C (between the leftmost and middle piers of gates).

A USO Lounge for military members is located in the arrivals level of Terminal B, near Door 9.

Sleep

• 1 Newark Airport Marriott, 1 Hotel Rd, ☏ +1 973-623-0006. The only hotel actually located on airport property. It's not connected to the AirTrain, unfortunately, but there is a courtesy shuttle if you have trouble walking and/or have a lot of luggage. $179-$269. 

There are many other hotels scattered around the airport, with room rates starting at around $50/night for very basic accommodation up to $300-$400 for high-end business traveler-oriented hotels. Almost all hotels within a 5-mile radius will provide a shuttle service to and from the airport, but call the hotel beforehand just to be sure.

Stay safe

The area to the west of the airport, Newark's South Ward, is a slum and should be avoided. The airport parking lots are usually patrolled at all times. The airport can be used by homeless people as a shelter. Although they very rarely pose a threat, be aware of your surroundings.

Nearby

New York City is the obvious main attraction, but to be on the safe side, allow two hours (one hour each way) to get to and from New York Penn Station by train.

In New Jersey, Newark itself, Jersey City, Elizabeth and New Brunswick are within an hour of the airport by public transportation. Princeton is more than an hour away.

If you want to take Amtrak, you can get to Philadelphia in a little over an hour, though the trains do sell out in advance at times.

Routes through Newark Liberty International Airport

Philadelphia ← Woodbridge ←	SW  NE	→ Newark → New York City
Woodbridge ← Elizabeth ←	SW  NE	→ Newark → New York City