So, you just landed. You're standing at Newark Liberty International Airport, probably a bit jet-lagged, clutching a suitcase, and wondering how the heck you get to Manhattan without paying eighty bucks for an Uber. Taking New Jersey Transit EWR to Penn Station is honestly the smartest play, but if you’ve never done it, the process feels like a weird scavenger hunt designed by a civil engineer with a grudge. It’s fast. It’s cheap. It’s also incredibly easy to screw up if you don’t know which "Penn Station" you’re actually headed to.
Trust me, people get this wrong every single day.
The AirTrain Bottleneck
First thing's first: you aren't actually at the train station yet. When you walk out of your gate at Terminal A, B, or C, you have to find the AirTrain. This is the monorail that loops around the airport. It's free to ride between terminals, but the moment you want to leave the airport grounds to hit the actual NJ Transit tracks, it costs money. Specifically, as of right now, that "access fee" is baked into your ticket price.
Don't just jump on any AirTrain. Look for the signs pointing toward Rail Link.
The AirTrain is frequent, usually every few minutes, but it moves with the urgency of a tired turtle. Give yourself fifteen minutes just for this leg. You’ll glide past parking lots and rental car hubs before finally arriving at the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. This is a purpose-built transfer point. You can't walk here; you can't drive here. You can only get here via the AirTrain or a train.
Buying the Right Ticket (And Keeping It)
Here is where the stress levels usually spike. You’ll see a row of orange and blue ticket machines. You want a ticket to New York Penn Station.
Wait. Read that again.
There is a "Newark Penn Station" and a "New York Penn Station." If you buy a ticket to Newark Penn, you’re going to end up in downtown Newark. It’s a fine city, but it’s not the Big Apple. Make sure the screen explicitly says New York Penn. The fare is usually around $16.00, which includes that $8.50 AirTrain access fee.
Pro tip: Do not throw that paper ticket away. You need to scan it to get through the turnstiles to exit the AirTrain area, and then you need to show it to the conductor on the actual NJ Transit train. If you lose it in those fifty yards, you’re buying a new one on the train with a surcharge. It's annoying. Just keep it in your hand.
If you’re tech-savvy, download the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App. It’s way better. You buy the ticket on your phone, activate it, and scan the barcode at the gate. No fumbling with paper or weird machines that won't take your slightly crumpled five-dollar bill.
Which Train Do I Actually Board?
Once you’re on the platform at the airport station, you’re looking for trains headed North. Most of the time, these are the Northeast Corridor (red line on the map) or the North Jersey Coast Line (blue line).
Check the overhead monitors. You want a train where the destination is "New York" or "NY Penn."
The ride itself is surprisingly short. Once the train pulls out of the airport station, you’ll likely stop at Newark Penn Station (the one in New Jersey). Stay on the train. You’ll then cross the marshy Meadowlands, see the Statue of Liberty way off in the distance to your right, and then—boom—you’re diving into the tunnel under the Hudson River.
The "Quiet Car" Etiquette
If you happen to walk into a car and it’s eerily silent, check the signs. NJ Transit runs "Quiet Cars" on peak-direction weekday trains. If you start taking a loud FaceTime call in one of these, the commuters—who have had a very long day—will stare at you with the intensity of a thousand suns. Or the conductor will just tell you to move. Either way, check the overhead racks for the "Quiet Car" sign before you start chatting.
Navigating the Chaos of New York Penn Station
You’ve arrived. You’ll step off the train into a basement-like platform. Follow the crowd up the stairs or escalators.
New York Penn Station is a maze. It’s currently split between the old, cramped Penn Station (under Madison Square Garden) and the gorgeous, airy Moynihan Train Hall across the street. Most NJ Transit trains arrive under the old section.
If you need the subway:
- Follow signs for the 1, 2, or 3 trains (Seventh Avenue side).
- Follow signs for the A, C, or E trains (Eighth Avenue side).
If you’re looking for a yellow cab, head to the Eighth Avenue exits. The line moves fast, even when it looks long. Avoid the "illegal" livery drivers hanging out by the exits asking if you need a ride; they’ll charge you triple. Stick to the official taxi stand or use your Uber/Lyft app.
Why This Route Beats the Bus or Rideshare
Look, an Uber from EWR to Manhattan can fluctuate wildly. On a rainy Tuesday at 5:00 PM? You’re looking at $90 plus tolls and tip, and you’ll be sitting in the Lincoln Tunnel for an hour listening to your driver’s favorite podcast.
The train is immune to traffic.
From the moment you step on the NJ Transit train at the airport station, you are 25 to 30 minutes away from the center of the universe. It’s consistent. It’s predictable. Even with the AirTrain transfer, the whole journey from the terminal to 34th Street usually takes about 45 to 55 minutes.
Realities and Limitations
Is it perfect? No. NJ Transit has had its fair share of "overhead wire issues" and "bridge failures" lately, particularly during extreme heatwaves. The Portal Bridge—a 100-plus-year-old swing bridge the train crosses—sometimes gets stuck. When that happens, everything grinds to a halt.
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If you see "Major Delays" on the NJ Transit app before you buy your ticket, that’s your cue to pivot to a bus or a car. The Newark Airport Express bus is a solid Plan B. It drops you at Port Authority, Bryant Park, or Grand Central.
The Midnight Gap
NJ Transit does not run 24/7 like the NYC Subway. There is a gap in service in the middle of the night (roughly between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM). If your flight lands at 1:30 AM and you linger at baggage claim, you might miss the last train. Always check the schedule for the specific date of your travel, especially on holidays.
Actionable Steps for Your Arrival
- Download the app while you’re waiting for your luggage. Search for "NJ TRANSIT" in the App Store or Google Play.
- Follow "Train" signs out of the terminal. Do not follow "Ground Transportation" if you want the rail.
- Board the AirTrain toward "Rail Link Station."
- Scan your ticket at the turnstiles to enter the NJ Transit platform.
- Check the screen for "NY Penn Station" and stand on the platform for tracks headed toward New York.
- Stay on the train through Newark Penn Station; your stop is the final one after the tunnel.
- Exit toward 8th Ave if you want the Moynihan Train Hall experience or a taxi, or 7th Ave for the main subway lines.
By following this flow, you save about $60 and avoid the soul-crushing experience of New Jersey Turnpike traffic. It’s the local way to do it, and honestly, once you do it once, you'll never go back to sitting in a car.