So, you’ve landed at Newark Liberty International (EWR) or you're just hanging out in Brick City, and you need to get to Brooklyn. Maybe you’re headed to a show at Barclays Center, a wedding in Williamsburg, or just trying to find that one specific pizza spot in Bushwick. Honestly? It's not as scary as the locals make it sound, but if you wing it, you might end up spending $120 on an Uber that sits in the Holland Tunnel for two hours. That’s a bad day. Getting from Newark to Brooklyn is basically a game of choosing your struggle: do you want to save money, save time, or save your sanity?
Most people assume there’s a direct shot. There isn't. You’re crossing state lines, two rivers, and at least one borough boundary. It’s a trek. But if you know the rhythm of the NJ Transit schedules and the quirks of the PATH train, you can actually make the trip in under an hour. Let's break down how this actually works in the real world.
The NJ Transit to Subway Shuffle
This is the standard move. It’s what most commuters do because it’s relatively predictable. You take the AirTrain from your terminal to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. From there, you hop on a North Jersey Coast Line or Northeast Corridor train headed to New York Penn Station.
Don't mess this up: make sure you’re going to NY Penn, not Newark Penn. They sound the same over a scratchy intercom. One is in New Jersey; the other is in Midtown Manhattan.
Once you hit 34th Street in Manhattan, you’re in the belly of the beast. To get to Brooklyn from here, you have options. If you’re going to Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, or Park Slope, grab the 2 or 3 train (the red line). If you're headed toward North Brooklyn—think Williamsburg or Greenpoint—you'll actually want to walk a block over to Herald Square and catch the Q or the B.
The cost? It’s usually around $16 for the NJ Transit ticket (which includes the AirTrain fee) plus your subway fare. It’s efficient. It’s loud. It’s very "New York."
The "Pro" Move: Newark Penn and the PATH
If you aren't coming from the airport—maybe you’re near the Prudential Center or the Ironbound—the PATH train is your best friend. It’s cheaper than NJ Transit. A lot cheaper.
You go to Newark Penn Station and hop on the PATH towards World Trade Center. This ride takes about 25 minutes. It’s smooth, has decent cellular service under the river, and drops you right at the Oculus. From the World Trade Center, you are literally steps away from almost every subway line that goes to Brooklyn. You can jump on the A, C, 2, 3, 4, 5, J, or Z.
Is it faster? Sometimes. If your destination is South Brooklyn or Red Hook, taking the PATH to WTC and then grabbing a taxi or a subway is usually way faster than going all the way up to 34th Street just to come back down.
Ride-Shares and the Tunnel Trap
Look, sometimes you have three suitcases and a crying toddler. You aren't taking the train. I get it.
Ordering an Uber or Lyft from Newark to Brooklyn is a gamble. On a Sunday morning? You might zip across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in 40 minutes and pay $70. On a Tuesday at 5:00 PM? You are looking at a $130 fare and a two-hour crawl through the Goethals Bridge or the Holland Tunnel.
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Drivers often hate this trip. They have to pay tolls to get back into Jersey that you aren't always covering in the base fare, though most apps calculate the "out of city" surcharges now. If you do go this route, check the traffic on Google Maps first. If the Holland Tunnel is "dark red," ask your driver if they can take the Goethals to the Verrazzano. It stays in the "outer" areas and avoids the nightmare of Lower Manhattan entirely. It’s more miles, but often fewer minutes.
The Secret Bus: North Jersey to Brooklyn
Hardly anyone talks about the bus because buses aren't "cool," but the Newark Airport Express bus exists. It drops you at Port Authority, Bryant Park, or Grand Central.
Is it better than the train? Usually no, unless the trains are undergoing weekend maintenance (which happens constantly). If the Northeast Corridor line is stalled—which, let's be real, happens if a bird sneezes on the overhead wires—the bus is your fallback. From Grand Central, you can catch the 4, 5, or 6 straight down into Brooklyn.
What most people get wrong about the timing
I see tourists all the time thinking they can get from an EWR gate to a Brooklyn dinner reservation in an hour. Forget it.
You have to account for:
- The AirTrain (10-15 minutes)
- Waiting for NJ Transit (10-20 minutes)
- The ride to Manhattan (25 minutes)
- The subway transfer (15 minutes)
- The subway ride to Brooklyn (20-40 minutes)
You’re looking at a two-hour window to be safe. If you do it in 75 minutes, you’re a legend. If you’re trying to reach the far reaches of Brooklyn—like Coney Island or Brighton Beach—give it two and a half. Seriously.
Late Night Logistics
If you’re landing at 1:00 AM, the game changes. NJ Transit stops running frequent service. The PATH runs every 35-40 minutes instead of every 10.
This is when you actually should consider a car service. Just make sure you use the official taxi stand at Newark. Don't ever, ever follow the guy in the terminal whispering "Taxi? Uber?" into your ear. Those are "gypsy cabs." They will overcharge you, and they aren't regulated.
Why the "V" Word matters: The Verrazzano Bridge
If you’re driving or in a cab, tell them you want the "Staten Island route" if the tunnels are backed up. Taking I-95 South to I-278 East takes you over the Goethals Bridge, across Staten Island, and over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
It feels like you’re going the wrong way. You aren't. It bypasses the congestion of Jersey City and Manhattan. The toll is hefty, but the view of the skyline from the top of the Verrazzano is one of the best in the world. It’s a "welcome to Brooklyn" moment that you don't get in a subway tunnel.
Breaking Down the Costs
Let’s talk real numbers, not "estimate" fluff.
If you go the PATH route:
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- AirTrain to Newark Penn (via Uber or bus): $10-$20
- PATH train: $2.75
- Subway: $2.90
- Total: Around $16-$25
If you go the NJ Transit route:
- NJ Transit Ticket (includes AirTrain): $16.00
- Subway: $2.90
- Total: $18.90
If you take a Lyft:
- Base Fare: $75 - $120
- Tolls: $15 - $20
- Tip: $15
- Total: $105 - $155
Honestly, the train is almost always the winner for a single traveler. If you're a group of four, the Uber starts making way more sense.
Navigation Apps are Liars (Sometimes)
Don't just trust the first route Google Maps gives you. It often fails to account for "weekend service changes" on the MTA. In New York, the trains you take on Tuesday might not run on Saturday.
Check the MTA Weekender or an app like Citymapper. Citymapper is much better at handling the "Newark to Brooklyn" transition because it understands the weird handoff between New Jersey's transit system and New York's. It’ll tell you exactly which subway car to get in so you’re close to the exit for your transfer.
Actionable Steps for a Stress-Free Trip
- Download the NJ Transit App: Buy your ticket on your phone while you’re walking to the AirTrain. Don't stand in line at the kiosks; they’re confusing and usually have a queue of frustrated people.
- Get a MetroCard or use OMNY: You don’t need a physical card for the subway anymore. You can just tap your phone or credit card at the turnstile. This works for the PATH too (mostly), but definitely for the NYC subway.
- Check the "Line Status": Before you leave Newark, look at the MTA website. If the L train is shut down for construction and you're going to Williamsburg, you need to know that before you get to Manhattan.
- Keep your ticket out: If you’re taking NJ Transit, they will check your ticket on the train, and you’ll need it again to scan through the gates at the airport station. Don't bury it in your bag.
- Use the "Staten Island Route" for cars: If you’re using a ride-share and heading to South or Central Brooklyn, explicitly check if the Verrazzano Bridge route is faster. It usually is.
Getting to Brooklyn is a rite of passage. Once you've done it, you'll feel like a local. Just stay alert, keep your bag close, and don't be afraid to ask a transit worker for help—they’re usually much nicer than the stereotypes suggest, as long as you have your question ready and don't block the door.