Look, if you’re trying to figure out how to get from Hoboken NJ to Newark NJ, you’re probably either heading to a flight at EWR, catching a Devils game at the Rock, or you’re just one of the thousands of people commuting between these two Hudson County and Essex County hubs every single day. It sounds simple. They’re right next to each other, basically. But North Jersey transit is a beast of its own making.
Sometimes it's a breeze. Other times? You’re sitting on a stalled PATH train wondering why you didn't just walk.
Most people think the PATH is the only way. It’s not. In fact, depending on exactly where you are in Hoboken—whether you're up by 14th Street or down by the Terminal—your "best" route changes completely. We’re going to break down the reality of this trip, including the secret NJ Transit hacks that save you twenty minutes and why the Uber price surge at 5:00 PM is a total trap.
The PATH Train: The Old Reliable (Mostly)
The PATH is the backbone of the Hoboken NJ to Newark NJ pipeline. If you’re at the Hoboken Terminal, this is usually your first instinct. You hop on the Blue line (Hoboken–World Trade Center), but wait—you can’t go straight to Newark.
You have to transfer.
Specifically, you take the PATH from Hoboken to Grove Street or Journal Square. Journal Square is usually the better bet because it’s a major hub. You step off the train, wait on the same platform (usually), and catch the Newark–World Trade Center line heading west. Total time? If the gods of Port Authority are smiling, you’re looking at about 25 to 30 minutes.
🔗 Read more: Howard Johnson Ocean City Maryland: What Most People Get Wrong
But here is the catch that trips up everyone: the weekend schedule.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the PATH runs the "Hoboken–World Trade Center via Christopher St" route or combined lines that can turn a 20-minute trip into a 45-minute odyssey. If you see the train pulling in and it’s packed to the gills with people heading to brunch in Manhattan, you might want to rethink your life choices.
NJ Transit: The Secret Weapon
The PATH is great for the "downtown" Newark experience, specifically near the Prudential Center or Penn Station. But if you need to get from Hoboken NJ to Newark NJ and your destination is actually the North End or if you just want a more comfortable seat, NJ Transit is the sleeper hit.
You can take the Main/Bergen County Line or the Pascack Valley Line.
These trains leave directly from Hoboken Terminal. They don't go to Newark Penn Station, though. They go to Newark Broad Street. This is a massive distinction. If you are going to a law office on Broad Street or a class at Rutgers-Newark, Broad Street Station is actually way closer than Penn Station. It’s a 15-minute ride. Seriously. You sit down, you blink, and you’re in Newark.
The downside? Frequency.
While the PATH runs every few minutes during rush hour, NJ Transit trains might only run once an hour during the midday slump. You have to time it. Check the NJ Transit app religiously. If you miss that 2:14 PM train, you’re stuck at the Lackawanna Waiting Room staring at the ceiling for a while.
Driving and the Pulaski Skyway Nightmare
Driving from Hoboken NJ to Newark NJ is a journey through some of the most iconic, albeit frustrating, infrastructure in America. You’ve got options. None of them are "relaxing."
The most direct shot is usually taking 1&9 over the Pulaski Skyway. It’s beautiful. You see the Manhattan skyline to your left and the industrial heart of Jersey to your right. But the Skyway has no shoulders. If a car breaks down, the whole thing turns into a parking lot.
Then there's the Wittpenn Bridge. It’s been under construction for what feels like a century (though the new bridge is finally open and much better). If you’re driving, you’re likely taking Observer Highway out of Hoboken, hitting Route 139, and then merging onto the gauntlet.
Total drive time is anywhere from 15 minutes at 2:00 AM to 55 minutes at 5:30 PM.
If you're using a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft, be prepared for the "Jersey Cross-County Tax." It isn't a literal tax, but drivers often hate going into Newark from Hoboken because they might get stuck in traffic coming back. Expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $60. Honestly, if it's over $40, just walk to the PATH. It's faster anyway.
What About Newark Liberty International (EWR)?
This is the big one. If you’re going from Hoboken NJ to Newark NJ specifically for the airport, don’t make the mistake of taking the PATH to Newark Penn and thinking you’re there. You still have to get from Penn Station to the airport.
- The PATH to NJ Transit method: Take PATH to Newark Penn, then hop on the Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line one stop to the EWR Rail Link station. Then you take the AirTrain. It's a lot of transfers.
- The Uber/Lyft method: If you have luggage, just do it. It’s usually $35-$50.
- The "Bus Hack": The #62 bus runs from Newark Penn to the airport. It's cheap. It's gritty. It works.
The Bike and Scooter Reality
Can you bike from Hoboken NJ to Newark NJ? Technically, yes. Should you? Only if you have nerves of steel and a very high-quality hybrid bike.
The route takes you through Jersey City and across the Lincoln Highway (Route 1&9 Truck). You’ll be sharing the road with massive Mack trucks hauling shipping containers from the port. It’s not a "scenic Sunday ride." However, with the East Coast Greenway improvements, it is becoming more doable for the hardcore cycling crowd. Just don't expect a protected bike lane the whole way.
Common Misconceptions About the Trip
One thing people always get wrong is thinking that Newark and Hoboken are "basically the same place" because they’re both urban centers in North Jersey. They are fundamentally different.
Hoboken is a square mile of extreme density. Newark is a sprawling metropolis with distinct neighborhoods like the Ironbound, Downtown, and the North Ward. If you're going to the Ironbound for some of the best Portuguese food in the world (go to Fernandes Steak House, trust me), taking the PATH to Newark Penn is perfect. You walk out of the station, go under the bridge, and you’re there.
If you're going to the Newark Museum of Art, you might actually be better off taking the bus or the Light Rail once you hit Newark.
✨ Don't miss: New Orleans Time Now: What Most People Get Wrong About Big Easy Hours
The Logistics of the Newark Light Rail
Once you arrive in Newark from Hoboken, your journey might not be over. Newark has its own Light Rail system. It’s surprisingly efficient. If you take the PATH to Newark Penn, you can jump on the Light Rail to get to the Newark Broad Street area or even out to Branch Brook Park (go in April for the cherry blossoms—it actually beats D.C.).
Which Way is Actually Best?
It depends on your priority.
If you want the cheapest way: It’s the PATH. Always. A few bucks and you're there.
If you want the fastest way to Downtown Newark: PATH to Journal Square, then transfer to the Newark line.
If you want the fastest way to North Newark: NJ Transit train from Hoboken Terminal to Newark Broad St.
If you are traveling with three friends and four suitcases: Get an Uber. Don't subject yourself to the PATH turnstiles with luggage.
North Jersey transit is about being fluid. If the PATH is delayed—which happens more than we'd like to admit—you need to know the bus routes. The 126 bus goes from Hoboken to Port Authority in NYC, which doesn't help you get to Newark directly, but the #1 bus and others can navigate the local streets between Jersey City and Newark if everything else fails.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make this trip successfully, you need to do three things before you leave your apartment in Hoboken:
- Download the NJ Transit App: Buy your tickets on the app. Don't faff around with the kiosks at the station; they are notoriously slow and half of them don't take credit cards when you're in a rush.
- Check the PATH Twitter (X) Feed: The official @PATHAlerts is the only way to know if there's a "signal problem" at Harrison that's going to ruin your afternoon.
- Know Your Station: Double-check if your Newark destination is closer to Newark Penn or Newark Broad Street. They are about a mile apart, and walking between them isn't always the vibe you want if you're late for a meeting.
If you’re heading out right now, take the PATH if it’s a weekday. If it’s a weekend, check the NJ Transit schedule first—the direct train might actually be faster than the loopy weekend PATH routes. Safe travels through the 973.