The most predictable Newark Airport to Times Square route is AirTrain plus NJ Transit, then a walk or subway.
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For Newark Liberty Airport to Times Square, the train is usually the strongest default: AirTrain Newark to the airport rail station, NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, then a 10- to 15-minute walk or one $3 subway ride to 42nd Street.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) sits across the Hudson River in New Jersey, so the right choice is less about mileage and more about traffic risk, luggage, and your exact Times Square address. Solo travelers should lean rail. Families with heavy bags may prefer a taxi, rideshare, or private car once the per-person math changes.
The Most Reliable Route From EWR To Times Square
The train route from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Times Square avoids Lincoln Tunnel traffic and usually takes about 45 to 65 minutes from terminal to Midtown. The route is AirTrain Newark, NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, then either walking north or taking the subway one stop.
The easiest planning rule is simple: if you can handle stairs or elevators with your bags, take the train. If you are arriving late with kids, oversized luggage, or a hotel far west of Broadway, a door-to-door car may feel easier even when it costs more.
For a live comparison of airport trains, shuttles, and transfers on this route, check the route options here:
How Do You Get From Newark Airport To Times Square By Train?
The train trip from Newark Airport to Times Square has three parts: AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station, NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, and a final walk or subway hop. Buy one NJ Transit airport ticket before boarding because that ticket includes the AirTrain gate at the rail station.
- Follow AirTrain signs in your EWR terminal. AirTrain Newark connects Terminals A, B, and C with Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station.
- Buy an NJ Transit ticket to New York Penn Station. Use the NJ Transit app or a vending machine at the rail station.
- Board a train marked for New York Penn Station. Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line trains serve the airport station, but not every train stops there.
- Exit at New York Penn Station. From Penn Station, Times Square is roughly 0.6 miles north.
- Walk or take the subway. Walking via Seventh Avenue usually takes 10 to 15 minutes; the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E subway lines can shorten the final leg.
Ticket tip: Keep the NJ Transit ticket handy after the train ride. The same ticket opens the AirTrain fare gate when you travel through Newark Airport Rail Station.
Newark Airport To Times Square Routes Compared By Cost
Newark Airport to Times Square costs about $17.25 by NJ Transit rail before any optional subway ride, while a taxi or rideshare often lands near $85 to $130 after tolls, fees, and tip. The bus can be convenient for Port Authority, but traffic can erase its time advantage.
| Route | Typical Time | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|
| AirTrain + NJ Transit + walk | 45–65 minutes | About $17.25 |
| AirTrain + NJ Transit + subway | 45–60 minutes | About $20.25 |
| Newark Airport Express to Port Authority | 45–75 minutes | Usually about $17–25 |
| Yellow taxi from EWR | 35–80 minutes | Often about $85–130 total |
| Rideshare pickup | 35–85 minutes | Often about $75–140 total |
| Private car service | 35–80 minutes | Often about $110–180 total |
| NJ Transit 62 bus + PATH + subway | 80–110 minutes | About $7.80 |
NJ Transit currently lists Midtown rail service at about 30 minutes to New York Penn Station and $17.25 for an adult ticket, with AirTrain included, on its Newark Liberty Airport rail page. Add walking time, train wait time, and the AirTrain ride when estimating your total airport-to-hotel time.
Bus, Taxi, And Rideshare From EWR
The Newark Airport Express bus works well if your hotel is near Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park, or Grand Central, but the train is steadier when tunnel traffic is bad. Taxis and rideshares win on convenience when your group can split the fare or your hotel is not close to Penn Station.
The Newark Airport Express stops at all three EWR terminals and reaches Port Authority Bus Terminal near 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue. That stop is one short walk west of Times Square, so the bus can be easier than the train if you want fewer station transfers.
Taxis and rideshares are more variable. A clear-traffic ride can reach Times Square in about 35 minutes, while a peak-hour trip through the Lincoln Tunnel can run well over an hour. Port Authority taxi estimates do not include every toll, tip, congestion-related charge, or baggage fee, so the number on the curb is rarely the final number.
- Pick the bus if Port Authority is close to your hotel and you prefer staying above ground.
- Pick a taxi or rideshare if you have three or four people, car seats, or heavy luggage.
- Skip a rental car for Times Square unless your trip leaves New York City right away. Parking and traffic make a car a burden in Midtown.
Where To Stay Near Times Square After The Transfer
Times Square is easiest after a Newark Airport arrival when your hotel is near Seventh Avenue, Eighth Avenue, Bryant Park, or Penn Station. A hotel near Penn Station can save you the final subway ride after NJ Transit, while a hotel around 42nd Street puts you closer to theaters and Port Authority.
If you are choosing a Midtown hotel after comparing the airport routes, a map view helps you see whether the property sits closer to Penn Station, Port Authority, or the main Times Square subway stops.
Step-By-Step Train Plan At A Glance
The rail plan is easiest when you treat New York Penn Station as the target, not Times Square. Once you reach Penn Station, the last leg is short enough to decide on the spot based on weather, bags, and energy.
| Step | Where You Go | What To Watch |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EWR terminal to AirTrain | Follow AirTrain signs after baggage claim. |
| 2 | AirTrain to airport rail station | Keep your rail ticket ready for the fare gate. |
| 3 | NJ Transit to New York Penn | Use a train marked New York Penn, not Newark Penn. |
| 4 | Penn Station exit | Seventh Avenue exits are better for walking north. |
| 5 | Walk or subway to Times Square | The subway costs $3; walking is free and often just as fast. |
Which Newark Airport To Times Square Route Should You Pick?
Most travelers should pick AirTrain plus NJ Transit because it is the cleanest mix of speed, price, and traffic resistance. Choose a car only when luggage, group size, late-night timing, or door-to-door comfort matters more than cost.
- Best for most solo travelers: AirTrain + NJ Transit + walk to Times Square.
- Best for the lowest fare: NJ Transit 62 bus + PATH + subway, if you can handle transfers.
- Best for a hotel beside Port Authority: Newark Airport Express bus.
- Best for families with bags: Taxi, rideshare, or private transfer.
- Best late at night: Compare the next NJ Transit departure against car prices before leaving the terminal.
The smart move is to check both the next NJ Transit train and the current road price before you leave baggage claim. When the train is coming soon, it usually wins; when you have a long wait or a full carload of people, the road options can make sense.
Compare the live route choices before committing at the terminal:
References & Sources
- NJ Transit.“Newark Liberty International Airport.”Supports the current Midtown rail fare, AirTrain inclusion, and rail travel time to New York Penn Station.