Terminal A
United, Air Canada (departures), American, Delta, JetBlue
The new terminal, opened in 2023: 33 gates and the best food at the airport, joined airside to Terminal C by shuttle.
Newark airport guide
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty is New York's third big airport, across the Hudson in New Jersey: 47 million passengers in 2025, United's largest East Coast base and home to most of the European airlines that do not fly to JFK. It is also, for our downtown hotels, the closest airport by road. This is how to get through it in both directions, checked against the operator's pages.
The 30-second version
Use Mobile Passport Control at passport control if your passport allows it. With light bags, take the AirTrain to the Newark Liberty International Airport station and an NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station: about 30 minutes and $17.25, AirTrain included. With luggage, take a taxi from the dispatcher's rank: $60–70 to most of Manhattan before tolls, fees and tip. Terminal A has no AirTrain stop of its own, so allow for the walk or shuttle.
- To New York
- About 30 minutes by public transport
- Terminals
- 3 (A, B and C)
- Passengers
- 47.0 million (2025)
- Fastest way in
- NJ Transit to Penn Station, about 30 minutes
- Train fare
- $17.25, AirTrain included
- Taxi to Manhattan
- $60–80 by zone, plus tolls, fees and tip
- AirTrain
- Every 3–5 minutes; every 15 minutes 11pm–5am
- Wifi
- Free (_Free EWR WiFi)
Terminals
Terminal B
British Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, SAS, Air France, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Aer Lingus, Icelandair, Porter and more
Over 30 airlines and most of the international flights that are not United.
Terminal C
United
United's hub: 52 gates and more than 350 daily flights, with the Polaris lounge.
Landing to kerb
Every pick-up point, terminal by terminalBefore you board: ESTA and the app
Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA from the official CBP site; the fee is about $40. US citizens, green-card holders, Canadian visitors and returning Visa Waiver travellers with an approved ESTA can use CBP's free Mobile Passport Control app, and Newark is on its list.
Passport control
Global Entry members have dedicated lanes, and Newark offers Enrollment on Arrival for conditionally approved applicants. Everyone else joins the main queue.
Find the red uniforms
Each arrivals hall has a Port Authority information centre, staffed by people in red uniforms who know every ground transport option.
The taxi rank
Take only a taxi from the dispatcher, who gives you a receipt to keep. Terminal A: Level 1 near Door 5. Terminal B: Level 2 near Door 8, or Level 1 near Door 2. Terminal C: Level 1 near Door 6.
App cars
Terminal A: arrivals level, across the road (Uber zones 9–12, Lyft 13–14). Terminal B: arrivals level, in front of the terminal. Terminal C: Floor 3 of the Terminal C garage, over the pedestrian bridge.
The AirTrain to the railway
Trains run every 3–5 minutes and every 15 minutes from 11pm to 5am, and are free within the airport. Terminal C is 7 minutes from the Airport Train Station and Terminal B 11 minutes. Terminal A has no stop: it is about a 15-minute covered walk or a 5-minute shuttle to the AirTrain, about 20 minutes in all.
The train to Manhattan
Buy an NJ Transit ticket to New York Penn Station at the machines or in the NJ Transit app before you board: $17.25 for adults, AirTrain included, and about 30 minutes. Buying on the train adds $5.
The coach
The Newark Airport Express coach runs to Grand Central, Bryant Park and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in about 50 minutes, $23.50 one way. It leaves from Zone 16 at Terminal A and from baggage claim at B and C.
Kerb to gate
How early
Most airlines open check-in 3–4 hours before departure and close it 45–60 minutes before; gates go up about 3 hours out. Aim for 3 hours before an international flight.
The right ID
For domestic flights, TSA needs a REAL ID, an enhanced driving licence or a passport; without one, TSA ConfirmID costs $45. Overseas visitors should simply use their passport.
Security
TSA PreCheck lanes are in all three terminals, with Touchless ID in A and C. CLEAR runs at A, B (for gates B40–B49) and C; in Terminal B it opens 4:30am to 7:30pm Sunday to Friday and 4:30am to 6pm on Saturdays.
Allow for the walk
Security to gate, by the operator's figures: Terminal A 2–10 minutes, B 2–4, C 1–10.
Between A and C
An airside shuttle bus links gate C71 with the space between gates A28 and A29, with no second security check, useful for United connections.
Food prices
Airport prices are capped at 15% above street prices, water is $2 under the airport's value scheme, and some bills add a staff-benefits surcharge of up to 3%.
Lounges
Every lounge in detail
United Polaris Lounge
- Where
- Near gate C120
- Access
- United Polaris business class and eligible partner premium cabins on long-haul flights
- Hours
- 05:00–22:30
The best lounge at Newark, with a proper restaurant, if your ticket includes it.
United Clubs
- Where
- Near A26/A27; near C74; near C123 (about 30,000 sq ft, with showers)
- Access
- United Club members and eligible United and Star Alliance passengers; Air Canada passengers in Terminal A
- Hours
- A 05:00–21:15; C74 05:00–22:30
The C123 club is the one to head for on a long wait.
Delta Sky Club
- Where
- Near gate A8
- Access
- Within 3 hours of a same-day Delta or partner flight; Delta no longer sells single-visit passes
A calm room in the new terminal for Delta flyers.
Admirals Club
- Where
- Near gate A8
- Access
- Admirals Club members and eligible American and oneworld passengers
- Hours
- 04:00–19:15
Useful for morning American departures.
British Airways Lounge
- Where
- Near gate B51
- Access
- British Airways Club World and First, and eligible oneworld status
- Hours
- 15:00–22:45
Timed for the evening London departures.
Lufthansa Senator and Business Lounge
- Where
- Near gate B68
- Access
- Lufthansa and Star Alliance premium passengers; paid entry at the desk, subject to space
- Hours
- 14:45–21:00
The one Terminal B lounge that sells entry at the door.
SAS Lounge
- Where
- Near gate B60
- Access
- SAS and eligible Star Alliance passengers
- Hours
- 13:00–23:00
Quiet and Scandinavian for the afternoon departures.
Minute Suites
- Where
- Near gates C124–C125
- Access
- Private rooms by the hour; Priority Pass covers 1 hour, then $40 an hour
- Hours
- 24 hours
Newark's only Priority Pass option with a door that shuts; the other is the Be Relax spa near A7.
Eat and drink
Ess-A-BagelTerminal A, near gate A15
The Manhattan bagel institution, for a New York breakfast before you even reach New York.
Shake ShackTerminal A, near gate A6
Burgers and shakes from the New York original, fast enough for a tight connection.
Beecher's Handmade CheeseTerminal A, near gate A27
Handmade cheese, mac and cheese and sandwiches, a comforting meal before a long flight.
City Rub Barbecue CaféTerminal A, near gate A26
Barbecue and sandwiches, quick and filling.
RivieraTerminal C, near gate C74
An Italian sit-down with a menu by a celebrated New York chef, the best table in Terminal C.
Mélange Bakery CaféTerminal C, near gate C74
Pastries and chocolate for the morning departures.
Tsukiji FishroomTerminal C, near gate C74
Sushi and Japanese plates, light enough before a red-eye.
Proof Whiskey BarTerminal C, near gate C101
A whiskey list worth sitting down for.
Garden State DinerTerminal C, near gate C107
New Jersey diner classics, the home state's own comfort food.
Vino VoloTerminal B, near gate B60
Wine flights and small plates, the pick before a European departure from B.
The hotel at Newark
Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott
For an early flight, a late landing or a long wait: the one we would book.
Newark's only on-airport hotel, and the answer for a dawn departure: the shuttle runs all night, every 15 minutes, to all three terminals. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows onto the airfield, and day-use rooms cover a long layover.
While the AirTrain is replaced, the Terminal A pick-up is at Zone 13, so check the sign before you wait.
Getting to the terminal
On the airport, with a free shuttle to Terminals A, B and C every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day
- Free terminal shuttle every 15 minutes, around the clock
- 24-hour fitness centre
- Day-use rooms and gym passes for layovers
- Aviation Grill for breakfast, lunch and dinner
The catch: the AirTrain is old
Yes, but the airport warns of disruption while it is modernised, with replacement buses at times, stopping at the rail station, each terminal and car park P4. A new system has been under construction since 2025, with service expected in 2030. Check the airport's AirTrain page before you rely on a tight train connection.
The other quirk is Terminal A: the new terminal has no AirTrain stop of its own, so the train is about 20 minutes from A against 7 minutes from C.
The taxi fares, in detail
Newark taxis charge by Manhattan zone, before tips, tolls and fees: Battery Park to West 13th Street $60, West 14th to West 50th $65, West 51st to West 96th $70, West 97th to West 185th $75, and above West 185th $80. The East Side between the Battery and 145th Street adds $5. Tolls, congestion pricing and other fees add $6.75–15.75.
A rush-hour surcharge of $10 applies on weekdays 6–10am and 3–8pm and at weekends noon to 9pm. Seniors get 10% off. Cars take up to four passengers, five in a minivan.
- Battery to W 13th St
- $60
- W 14th to W 50th St
- $65
- W 51st to W 96th St
- $70
- East Side supplement
- $5
- Rush-hour surcharge
- $10
Insider notes
Up to three children under 5 travel free on NJ Transit with each paying adult, children aged 5–11 pay half, and at weekends and on holidays up to two 5–11s go free. Amtrak serves the same airport station, and an Amtrak ticket includes the AirTrain.
For our downtown hotels, Newark is quicker by road than JFK: The Beekman and citizenM Bowery are about 38 minutes.
Travelling with children
Terminal A has play areas near gates A6, A19 and A29 and a lending library at A32; Terminal B has one on the way to gates B40–B49, and Terminal C a lending library at C104. With car seats and bags, the dispatcher's taxi or a pre-booked driver is simpler than the AirTrain and train.
Step-free and assistance
Arrange wheelchair help with your airline before you fly. Terminal A has sensory rooms and Sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities, and TSA Cares (+1 855 787 2227) arranges help through security. Pet relief areas are in every terminal, indoors and out.
Delays and your rights
There is no fixed delay compensation in the US. Under the Department of Transportation's 2024 rule, if your airline cancels or makes a significant change (3 hours or more on a domestic flight, 6 hours or more on an international one) and you decline the alternative, you are owed an automatic cash refund, within 7 business days for card payments. Flights that left from an EU or UK airport may also be covered by EU261 or UK261.
A long wait or an early flight
The Newark Airport Marriott is the only hotel on the airport, with a free shuttle to all three terminals. Other airport hotels' shuttles leave from the P3 AirTrain station, zones 1–3. Airside, Minute Suites in Terminal C rents private rooms 24 hours a day, and the AirTrain keeps running overnight every 15 minutes.
Getting to our ten hotels
Our Manhattan and Brooklyn hotels are typically 38–54 minutes from Newark by road; the TWA Hotel at JFK is about 80 minutes. The transfers page has every option, timed and priced, and the way we would reach each hotel.
Questions people ask
Good questions about Newark
How do I get from Newark Airport to Manhattan?
The AirTrain to the airport railway station, then NJ Transit to New York Penn Station: about 30 minutes and $17.25, AirTrain included. A taxi is $60–80 by zone plus tolls, fees and tip.
How much is a taxi from Newark to Manhattan?
$60 to downtown, $65 to West 14th–50th Street and $70 to West 51st–96th Street, plus $5 for the East Side, tolls and fees of $6.75–15.75, and tip. A $10 surcharge applies at rush hour.
How much is the NJ Transit train from Newark Airport to Penn Station?
$17.25 one way for adults, including the AirTrain, about 30 minutes. Children 5–11 pay half, and buying on board adds $5.
How early should I get to Newark Airport?
Check-in usually opens 3–4 hours before departure and closes 45–60 minutes before. Allow 3 hours for an international flight.
Which terminal is British Airways at Newark?
Terminal B, with Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, SAS and most other international airlines. United uses Terminals A and C.
Is there a Priority Pass lounge at Newark?
Not a lounge as such: Priority Pass covers an hour in Minute Suites in Terminal C and treatments at the Be Relax spa in Terminal A.
Does the AirTrain go to Terminal A?
No. Terminal A is about a 15-minute covered walk or a 5-minute shuttle from the AirTrain, and about 20 minutes from the airport railway station.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Newark?
Terminal A across the road on the arrivals level, Terminal B in front of arrivals, and Terminal C on Floor 3 of the Terminal C garage.
Is there a hotel at Newark Airport?
The Newark Airport Marriott is the only on-airport hotel, with a free shuttle to all terminals.
Image credits: Sam Shrestha (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Quintin Soloviev (CC BY 4.0) · Famartin (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Benoît Prieur (CC0)