Getting from Newark Airport to Lower Manhattan can feel a bit daunting when you first start looking into it – especially after a long flight, with luggage, and a teenager who just wants to get there already. We spent a fair bit of time weighing up the options before our Christmas trip, so I thought I’d share what worked for us.
How to Get to Lower Manhattan from Newark Airport
The main options
There are a few ways to do this, and which one suits you best really depends on your priorities – time, cost, comfort and how much energy you have after travelling.
Taxi or Uber
This is the simplest option. You’ll find official taxis at Newark, and Uber pick-up is straightforward too.
Time: around 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic, Cost: usually higher, especially at peak times and Best for: late arrivals, lots of luggage, or if you just want zero thinking.
It’s definitely the least stressful, but also the most expensive. It is worth noting that taxi’s at Newark Airport are not on a fixed rate.
Public transport (AirTrain + NJ Transit + Subway/Taxi)
This is the most budget-friendly option and actually very doable – even with a teen. It sounds complicated written down, but it’s well signposted and runs smoothly.
The route looks like this: AirTrain (free) from your terminal to Newark Airport Rail Station, NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station ($3 each, 1 stop), PATH train to The World Trade Centre ($3 each, 30 minutes) and a taxi down to Lower Manhattan. Time: around 45–60 minutes, Cost: significantly cheaper than a taxi (roughly $50 in total).
The research we did suggested this route was best for: confident travellers, lighter luggage however I don’t think you need to worry. The New Yorkers and train staff were super helpful and very friendly.
What we did (and why)
We chose public transport, and I’m really glad we did. After a long flight, it was actually quite nice to be up on our feet navigating and then, watch the city come into view, and ease into New York rather than jumping straight into traffic. Taxi’s from Newark are ‘not’ on a fixed rate like JFK, due to us arriving at peak time, a taxi was estimated at $250.
George loved it too — navigating the stations, reading the signs, and feeling like a proper New Yorker from the start. It set the tone for the whole trip.
That said, if we’d landed very late or had more bags, we’d probably have opted for a taxi without hesitation (we had 2 large suitcases and 1 small).
A few tips that helped
Follow the airport signs, not the crowd — Newark is well signposted for AirTrain and rail, even when it feels busy.
Sit near the luggage racks on NJ Transit/PATH Trains — it makes the journey far more comfortable and keeps bags out of the way.
Don’t rush — give yourself a buffer, especially if it’s your first time, everything takes longer than you think.
Have your hotel address saved offline — useful once you switch to the subway and signal dips underground.
Final thoughts
There’s no right or wrong way to get into the city, just the one that suits you best. For us, public transport was faster, affordable, easy, and part of the adventure. But after a long journey, convenience is king, and a taxi might be worth every penny.
If you’re staying in Lower Manhattan like we were, both options work well — it’s just about choosing what fits your travel style.
If you’ve found this post helpful in your planning, take a look at my New York Travel Guide and our favourite places to eat with a teen in NYC.
How to Get to Lower Manhattan from Newark Airport
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
