NJ Transit to Penn Station plus a short walk or the 1 train is the best Newark-to-Times Square route for most travelers.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
For how to get from Newark to Times Square, the cleanest answer depends on which Newark you mean. From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), take AirTrain Newark to the airport rail station, ride NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, then walk 12–15 minutes or take the 1, 2, or 3 subway one stop to Times Sq-42 St.
From Newark Penn Station, the trip is simpler: ride NJ Transit directly to New York Penn Station, then finish the same way. A taxi or rideshare can work with heavy luggage, but traffic through the Lincoln Tunnel can turn a simple ride into an expensive crawl.
Which Route Should You Take From Newark Airport?
The best route from Newark Liberty International Airport to Times Square is AirTrain Newark plus NJ Transit to New York Penn Station. The full trip usually takes about 45–55 minutes to Times Square when waits are normal.
NJ Transit’s current airport service lists New York Penn Station as about 30 minutes from the Newark Airport rail station. The train avoids highway traffic, costs far less than a car for solo travelers, and drops you close enough to Times Square that the final leg is easy.
Use this route if you have a carry-on, a checked bag you can manage, or a hotel near Times Square, Bryant Park, Hell’s Kitchen, or Penn Station. Choose a car only if you are arriving very late, traveling with small kids, or carrying more luggage than you want to move through stations.
Once your date is set, compare live trains, buses, and transfers for the route here:
Newark To Times Square Routes: Every Option Compared
Newark-to-Times Square transport comes down to a trade between price, traffic risk, and luggage comfort. Rail is the safest default, the airport bus is the least complicated public option, and cars are the easiest but most traffic-sensitive.
| Route | Typical Time To Times Square | Rough One-Way Cost |
|---|---|---|
| EWR AirTrain + NJ Transit + walk | 45–55 minutes | $17.25 adult rail ticket |
| EWR AirTrain + NJ Transit + subway | 45–60 minutes | $17.25 plus $3 subway fare |
| Newark Airport Express bus to Port Authority | 50–75+ minutes | About $25 |
| Taxi or rideshare from EWR | 35–75+ minutes | About $75–$120 with tolls and tip |
| Private airport transfer | 35–75+ minutes | Often $100–$180 |
| NJ Transit from Newark Penn Station | 30–40 minutes to Times Square | About $6.30 plus subway if used |
| PATH from Newark Penn via Journal Square | 45–60 minutes | $3.25 plus subway if used |
| Amtrak from Newark Penn Station | 25–40 minutes to Times Square | Variable, usually not the best value |
Step-By-Step By Train From EWR
The EWR train route has three moves: AirTrain Newark, NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, then a walk or subway hop to Times Square. The airport rail ticket covers the AirTrain airport station transfer, so you do not need a separate AirTrain ticket when using NJ Transit.
- Follow signs in the terminal for AirTrain Newark.
- Ride AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station.
- Buy or activate a NJ Transit ticket to New York Penn Station before boarding.
- Take a Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line train toward New York Penn Station.
- At New York Penn Station, walk north to Times Square or take the uptown 1, 2, or 3 subway to Times Sq-42 St.
NJ Transit’s official Newark Airport rail page lists the adult EWR-to-New York Penn fare at $17.25 and says the AirTrain fee is included. Buy before boarding because NJ Transit adds a $5 onboard surcharge when a ticket is purchased from the conductor.
Terminal A detail: AirTrain does not stop directly inside Terminal A. Use the covered walkway or shuttle connection, then allow a few extra minutes before the NJ Transit train.
If You Are Starting At Newark Penn Station
Newark Penn Station is easier than the airport because NJ Transit trains run straight to New York Penn Station. The rail ride is usually about 20 minutes before the short Midtown finish.
NJ Transit is the faster choice for most travelers starting at Newark Penn. PATH is cheaper if you are comfortable transferring at Journal Square and either walking from 33rd Street or paying for the subway.
- Fastest public route: NJ Transit from Newark Penn Station to New York Penn Station, then walk or take the 1, 2, or 3 subway.
- Lowest-cost rail route: PATH from Newark Penn Station to Journal Square, transfer toward 33rd Street, then walk north toward Times Square.
- Simplest car route: Taxi or rideshare through the Lincoln Tunnel, useful with luggage but risky during rush hour.
How Much Does Each Option Cost?
Newark-to-Times Square costs range from a few dollars on PATH from Newark Penn Station to well over $100 by private transfer from the airport. The right value depends less on distance and more on luggage, arrival time, and whether you are starting at EWR or downtown Newark.
For EWR arrivals, the train is the price winner for one or two travelers who can carry their bags. For three or four people with heavy luggage, a taxi or rideshare may feel better even when the price is higher, because the fare is shared and the door-to-door ride removes station transfers.
Newark Airport Express is a middle path. The bus runs from airport terminals to Manhattan stops that include Port Authority Bus Terminal near Times Square, so it removes the Penn Station walk. Traffic is the risk, especially late afternoon and early evening.
Where To Stay After You Arrive In Midtown
Times Square is convenient for theaters, subway access, and first trips to New York City, but nearby blocks can feel loud late at night. Bryant Park, Koreatown, and the Penn Station west side often give easier arrivals with less street noise.
For a Midtown base, compare stays around Times Square, Bryant Park, and Penn Station here:
Penn Station is the easiest hotel zone after a Newark arrival because the train drops you nearby. Times Square is better if Broadway shows are the center of the trip, and Bryant Park works well if you want Midtown access with a calmer evening feel.
Final Leg From Penn Station To Times Square
New York Penn Station is close enough to Times Square that many travelers should walk instead of paying for the subway. The subway is better in bad weather, with tired kids, or with bags that roll poorly on sidewalks.
| Final Leg | Time | Use It When |
|---|---|---|
| Walk up 7th Avenue | 12–15 minutes | You have light luggage and normal weather |
| 1, 2, or 3 subway to Times Sq-42 St | 5–10 minutes with wait | You want fewer blocks on foot |
| Taxi from Penn Station | 5–20 minutes | You have heavy bags, but Midtown traffic is moving |
Route Verdict For Speed, Budget, And Luggage
NJ Transit is the best all-around choice from Newark Airport to Times Square because it is predictable, fairly priced, and not tied to tunnel traffic. PATH is the lowest-cost choice from Newark Penn Station, but NJ Transit is faster and easier for most visitors.
- Best for most EWR arrivals: AirTrain Newark plus NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, then walk or take the 1, 2, or 3 subway.
- Best for heavy luggage: Taxi, rideshare, or a private transfer from the airport straight to the hotel door.
- Best from Newark Penn Station: NJ Transit for speed, PATH for the lowest fare.
- Best late at night: Check train times first, then use a car if the next rail connection is weak.
- Option to skip: Renting a car for this trip rarely makes sense because Midtown parking, tolls, and traffic erase the benefit.
The simplest plan is to ride the train into New York Penn Station, decide on the platform whether to walk or take the subway, and save car service for late arrivals or serious luggage.
References & Sources
- NJ TRANSIT.“Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).”Lists the airport rail route, New York Penn Station travel time, adult fare, AirTrain inclusion, and ticketing note.