Newark Airport (EWR) Flights & Flight Status

Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the three major airports serving New York City, but it's actually located across the Hudson River in Newark, New Jersey. Newark is the second busiest airport in the region, serving nearly 50 million passengers annually. The airport is a hub for United Airlines, but more than 30 other airlines fly here, connecting Newark to more than 180 cities around the world.

Terminal information and tips

Newark has three terminals: A, B and C. While United flies out of all three terminals, the majority of its flights depart from Terminals A and C, which are much newer than Terminal B. In fact, I fly through Newark regularly on United, and I have not stepped foot in terminal B in years. Terminal B is primarily for non-United flights.

All terminals are connected landside by the AirTrain and airside by a shuttle bus. If you're connecting between terminals, I recommend staying on the airside and taking the shuttle bus, so you don't have to go through security again. The views of the planes are excellent along the way! The shuttle does not run 24 hours, though, so depending on timing, you may have to take the AirTrain.

Because the shuttle bus drives on the active taxiway, you can get stuck in traffic, as planes have priority. The drive between Terminals A and C can take up to 15 minutes, though at slower times of the day, I've made the connection in about eight minutes. The shuttle buses depart every five to 10 minutes or so, depending on demand.

The best way to get between the airport and the city centre

If you're looking to get to New York City from Newark, you have several transportation options, each with pros and cons. Most travellers choose to take public transportation, as it's the cheapest way to get into town. But the flashiest way to arrive is by helicopter. In some cases, a helicopter might even be cheaper than a taxi, depending on where you need to go in New York.

Public transportation

Travelling between Newark and New York is fairly straightforward. From the airport, take the AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Airport Station. Then take either an NJ Transit or an Amtrak train to New York Penn Station. While the AirTrain runs 24 hours a day, NJ Transit and Amtrak trains don't. For 24-hour connections, you can take NJ Transit buses. Travel times range from 35 minutes to more than an hour.

Important tip: Newark Liberty International Airport is not the same stop as Newark Penn Station. And Newark Penn Station is not the same stop as New York Penn Station, even though they sound very similar! Unfortunately you'll encounter all three travelling between New York City and the airport, so it's easy to get confused. When in doubt, ask a conductor for clarification.

Taxis, rideshares and driving

Taxis and rideshares are available at Newark, but a ride into New York City will be fairly expensive; there are fees for crossing state lines. The drive can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 90 minutes or more, depending on traffic. I don't recommend taking a taxi or rideshare during rush hour, which generally runs from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There are car rentals available at Newark, but driving into New York City is not necessarily a good idea. Parkades in the city are extremely expensive, and free street parking can be very hard to come by. It's best to use public transportation or taxis and rideshare when travelling in New York City.

Helicopter

This is the most expensive transportation option between Newark and New York, but it's also the fastest. Blade offers five-minute helicopter flights to Manhattan, and they are bookable by the seat. The price can be comparable to that of a high-end car service, but the price does change based on the time of day. These flights do not operate overnight, save for private charters.

Security lines and immigration

Security lines are often long at Newark, so I highly recommend arriving at the airport hours ahead of your flight. You can check the current wait times on the Newark airport website. Immigration can also be a lengthy process at Newark. If you are flying into Newark from an international destination and connecting to a domestic flight, give yourself at least two hours to make the connection.

TSA PreCheck and Clear are two ways to expedite airport security at Newark, while Global Entry and the Mobile Passport Control app can expedite immigration. Only Mobile Passport Control is free and can be used immediately, while the rest have an application process and fee. Look into your options well in advance of travel!

Alternative airports and how to get there from Newark

Newark is the primary airport for Northern New Jersey, but it's only one of several area airports that serve the larger New York Metropolitan Area. Plus, for those in South Jersey, it's worth looking at Philadelphia, too. Even if an alternative airport is farther away than Newark, it's worth looking into flight options there, just in case they may be cheaper or offer a nonstop flight instead of connecting ones.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

JFK is the busiest airport in the New York metro, handling more than 62 million passengers per year. It's located in Queens, New York, about a 45-minute drive from Manhattan (without traffic), or about an hour by subway. For New Yorkers living in Brooklyn or Queens, this is the most convenient international airport. Note that United is the only major U.S. airline that does not fly out of JFK.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

LaGuardia is also located in Queens, but on the opposite side of the borough. It handles more than 32 million passengers per year, primarily on domestic flights. It does, however, offer a few international flights, primarily to Canada and Mexico. LaGuardia is not connected to the subway system, so you will either need to take a bus or a car to get there.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Most people in the New York metro probably don't think about flying out of Philadelphia, but it's fairly easy to get to: trains and buses connect the two cities regularly. The airport handles more than 28 million passengers annually, and it flies to both domestic and international destinations. If there's a great airfare deal out of Philadelphia, it might be worth the commute to or from New York.

Things to do during a layover

What you can do during a layover depends on how long your layover is. Because security can take quite a bit of time at Newark, and it's easy to get caught up in traffic delays in the area, it's usually better to hunker down at the airport. But if you have a long layover, there are some nearby attractions worth a visit.

Less than four hours

If your layover is less than four hours long, you should definitely stay put in the airport. Since all three terminals are connected airside, you can visit any of them during your layover. Newark has a fair number of full-service restaurants and bars plus a number of shops to occupy your time. If you're flying United, you can buy a day pass to one of its United Clubs.

Four to six hours

With four to six hours during your layover, you could explore some local attractions. Visit the nearby Mills at Jersey Gardens shopping centre or dine on Portuguese cuisine in Newark's Ironbound district. Or visit Liberty State Park for views of the New York skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I also love visiting the Liberty Science Center there, which is a great activity for families.

More than six hours

With more than six hours, you can travel into New York City. Take the train and focus on activities in Midtown Manhattan, such as the Empire State Building, Hudson Yards, the High Line, and Macy's. While there are no luggage storage facilities at Newark, there are plenty near New York Penn Station. If you really want to maximize your layover, consider taking the five-minute Blade helicopter ride to save time.

If you want to sleep rather than explore, the closest hotel to the airport is the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott, but it is not walkable, as there is no pathway. There is, however, a free shuttle. Other airport hotels will require you to take a shuttle as well, but they're farther away. And your time is valuable on a layover!