You're standing on the platform at Newark Penn Station. It’s loud. The air smells vaguely of diesel and wet concrete, and the screech of the PATH train pulling in is enough to wake the dead. If you’re trying to get across the Hudson, you’ve basically got two choices that don't involve sitting in a $90 Uber stuck in Holland Tunnel traffic. You either hop on New Jersey Transit (NJT) or you grab the PATH.
Most people panic. They see the crowds and the flashing departure boards and just pick the first thing that looks like it’s heading east. But honestly? Choosing the wrong Newark train to Manhattan can add thirty minutes to your trip or drop you three miles away from where you actually need to be.
Newark isn't just one stop; it’s a hub. It connects the Northeast Corridor to the heart of the world’s most chaotic city. Whether you’re a commuter trying to hit a 9:00 AM meeting at Hudson Yards or a tourist who just landed at EWR and is wondering why the "AirTrain" didn't actually take you to Times Square, you need a plan.
The NJ Transit vs. PATH Dilemma
Let’s get the big one out of the way. If you want speed, you take NJ Transit. If you want to save enough money for a mediocre bagel and a coffee, you take the PATH.
NJ Transit is the "big" train. These are the double-decker behemoths that roll in from places like Trenton or New Brunswick. They stop at Newark Penn, and then they blast straight under the river into New York Penn Station at 34th Street. It’s fast. Like, 20-minutes-and-you’re-there fast.
But there’s a catch.
NJ Transit is expensive compared to the subway. A one-way ticket from Newark Penn to NY Penn is currently $5.25. If you’re coming from the Newark Liberty International Airport station, that price jumps significantly because of the "access fee" charged by the Port Authority. You're looking at $16.00 just to get from the airport to Midtown.
Then you have the PATH.
The PATH is basically a subway. It’s run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and it’s gritty. It’s functional. It costs $2.75. If you take the Newark train to Manhattan via the PATH, you aren't going to 34th Street. You’re going to the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. This is the move if you’re heading to Wall Street, Tribeca, or the 9/11 Memorial.
Wait. There is a "hidden" PATH route. On weekdays, you can transfer at Journal Square to get to 33rd Street, which hits stops along 6th Avenue like Christopher Street and Chelsea. It takes forever. Seriously, it feels like it takes a lifetime compared to the NJ Transit sprint. But it runs 24/7. NJ Transit doesn’t.
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Amtrak: The "I have a company card" option
Some people see an Amtrak Acela or Regional train pull into Newark Penn and think, "Hey, that goes to New York!" It does. It’s lovely. It has Wi-Fi that occasionally works and seats that don't feel like they were designed by someone who hates backs.
Don't do it unless you already have a ticket.
Buying a last-minute Amtrak ticket for a 15-minute hop across the river can cost you $30 or more. It’s the same tracks as NJ Transit. It arrives at the same station. You’re paying for a slightly cleaner window and the privilege of not standing in the vestibule next to a guy eating a very pungent Taylor Ham sandwich.
Navigating Newark Penn Station without losing your mind
Newark Penn is not a relaxing place. It’s a beautiful piece of Art Deco architecture if you look up, but if you look down, you’re mostly dodging commuters who move like they’re in a frantic Olympic event.
The most important thing to know: The Track 1 Rule.
Almost every NJ Transit Newark train to Manhattan departs from Track 1. If you see a swarm of people suddenly sprinting toward a staircase when a bell rings, that’s your cue. Follow the herd.
There are plenty of screens, but they can be confusing. Look for "NY-Penn" or "New York." Do not get on a train that says "Hoboken" unless you actually want to go to Hoboken and take a ferry. (Actually, the ferry is beautiful, but that’s a different story for a different day).
Buying tickets is another hurdle. Use the NJ Transit app. Just do it. The kiosks at the station usually have lines five people deep, and at least one of those people is trying to pay with a handful of nickels. Buy the ticket on your phone, activate it before you step on the train, and keep your phone out. The conductors do not play around. They will hover over you until that QR code is scanned.
The Airport Factor
If you are coming from Newark Liberty (EWR), you aren't actually at Newark Penn Station. You are at the EWR Rail Link station. You have to take the AirTrain monorail from your terminal to the rail station first.
This is where people get stuck. You cannot walk to the EWR train station. You have to use the monorail. Once you're there, you'll see two sides: Amtrak/NJ Transit and... well, that's it. Make sure you check the screens. Most trains going to New York are on the side heading North/East.
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What happens when things go wrong?
NJ Transit is notorious for "delays." A wire falls in the North River Tunnel, or a bridge gets stuck in the open position over the Hackensack River, and suddenly your 20-minute ride becomes a three-hour odyssey.
If the Newark train to Manhattan is delayed, your best bet is "cross-honoring." This is a fancy term for "your NJ Transit ticket is now valid on the PATH or the bus."
- Check Twitter (or X, whatever) or the NJ Transit app alerts immediately.
- If the big trains are dead, walk over to the PATH platforms.
- If the PATH is also dead, you’re looking at the 108 bus to Port Authority Bus Terminal.
It's sorta chaotic, honestly. But that’s North Jersey transit for you. You learn to be flexible or you learn to enjoy the Newark Penn Dunkin' Donuts for longer than you ever intended.
Which Manhattan destination are you hitting?
Your destination determines your train. Manhattan is big, and walking from the World Trade Center to Midtown is a 70-minute trek you don't want to do with luggage.
Destination: Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Herald Square
Take NJ Transit. It drops you at 31st and 7th. You walk up the stairs and you are literally under the Garden. You can see the Empire State Building the second you hit the sidewalk.
Destination: Wall Street, The Battery, Oculus
Take the PATH. It’s a straight shot to the World Trade Center station. The station itself is a masterpiece (The Oculus), even if it did cost a fortune to build.
Destination: Greenwich Village or Chelsea
Take the PATH, but make sure you’re on the "33rd Street" line. You’ll have to switch at Journal Square if you started at Newark Penn. It’s a slow crawl, stopping at Christopher St, 9th St, 14th St, and so on. It’s a vibe, though. Very "old school New York."
Practical Insider Tips
Let's talk about the stuff the brochures don't mention.
First, the "Quiet Car." On NJ Transit, the first or last car of the train is often designated as a quiet car during rush hour. If you take a phone call in there, someone will stare at you with the intensity of a thousand suns. Don't be that person.
Second, the seating. If you're on a double-decker train, the middle level (where you enter) has the least seating. Go up or down immediately. The "down" level is usually quieter and has a weird view of the wheel wells, but it’s great for napping.
Third, the "Gap." The gap between the platform and the train at Newark Penn is sometimes massive. I’ve seen people almost lose a shoe. Watch your step, especially if you're dragging a suitcase that weighs as much as a small car.
Why people hate the 108 Bus (and when to use it)
Nobody wants to take the bus from Newark to Manhattan. It's the 108 or the 107. They go to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street.
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The bus is the "In Case of Emergency" glass you break. It’s slow because it has to deal with the Lincoln Tunnel. If there’s a fender bender in that tunnel, you are essentially a hostage in a moving metal box for an hour. But, if the trains are genuinely broken—which happens more than NJ Transit likes to admit—the bus is your only way out.
Reality Check: The Cost of Commuting
If you’re doing this every day, the costs add up. A monthly pass for the Newark train to Manhattan on NJ Transit is around $150-$160. The PATH has "SmartLink" cards that bring the cost down slightly if you buy in bulk.
Most people I know who live in Newark or Harrison do a hybrid. They take the PATH when they have time and want to save money, and they take NJ Transit when they’re running late or it’s raining.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make this as painless as possible, follow this sequence:
- Download the NJ Transit app. Create an account and add a payment method before you reach the station.
- Check the schedule on the app's "DepartureVision" feature. It gives you real-time track assignments.
- Decide on your Manhattan "End Point" before you buy a ticket.
- If you’re going to Midtown: Buy an NJ Transit ticket to New York Penn Station ($5.25).
- If you’re going to Lower Manhattan: Buy a PATH MetroCard or use contactless pay (O MNY is being rolled out, but have a backup) at the turnstile ($2.75).
- Check the "Status" tab on the NJT app. If you see "Systemwide Cross-Honoring" in red text, skip the big trains and go straight to the PATH.
- At Newark Penn, find Track 1. It’s the golden ticket for 90% of Manhattan-bound travelers.
Navigating the Newark-to-NYC corridor is a rite of passage. It’s loud, it’s occasionally confusing, and it’s very "Jersey." But once you figure out the rhythm of the tracks and the difference between the "Penns," you'll be moving like a local. Just keep your ticket handy and your eyes on the departure board.