The cheapest way from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) to Midtown Manhattan, in central New York City, is the NJ Transit Route 62 bus from your terminal curb to Newark Penn Station ($1.80), then an NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station ($6.15) — about $8 total in roughly 55–70 minutes. Skip the AirTrain: it only shuttles between terminals and the airport rail station, so the one 'AirTrain + train' ticket to Penn Station costs $17.25, and a taxi or Uber runs $70–90 plus tolls. If you want fewer transfers, that $17.25 AirTrain-and-rail combo is faster at about 40 minutes.
How to find it
- AIRPORTNewark Liberty International Airport
- 01At the arrivals level of your terminal (A, B or C), collect your bags and go to the ground-transportation curb. Look for the NJ Transit bus sign for Route 62 — the bus stops right at the terminal, so you skip the AirTrain entirely.
- 02Board the Route 62 bus toward Newark Penn Station and pay the $1.80 fare (NJ Transit app or exact change). It runs 24 hours, about every 15 minutes on weekdays, and takes roughly 20–30 minutes as it loops through the airport area.
- 03At Newark Penn Station, buy a $6.15 NJ Transit rail ticket to New York Penn Station, then board any Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line train toward New York. The ride to New York Penn Station (Midtown Manhattan) takes about 18–22 minutes.
- CITY CENTRENew York City
Ticket
NJ Transit Route 62 local bus fare + NJ Transit rail ticket (Newark Penn Station → New York Penn Station)
Where to buy: Pay the $1.80 bus fare on the NJ Transit app or with exact change onboard; buy the $6.15 rail ticket at the NJ Transit ticket machines or ticket office inside Newark Penn Station, or on the app.
How to pay: The bus takes the app or exact cash (drivers give no change); the rail machines and office take cash and cards, and the app takes cards. No AirTrain ticket is needed on this route.
All ways to downtown, compared
| Option | Price | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| CombinationCheapest route | $7.95 | 1 h 5 min | NJ Transit Route 62 local bus fare + NJ Transit rail ticket (Newark Penn Station → New York Penn Station) |
| Combination | $17.25 | 40 min | Combined AirTrain + NJ Transit rail ticket to New York Penn Station |
Frequently asked
- What is the cheapest way from Newark Airport to Manhattan?
- The NJ Transit Route 62 bus from the terminal curb to Newark Penn Station ($1.80), then an NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station ($6.15) — about $8 total in roughly 55–70 minutes. It skips the AirTrain fee entirely.
- Do I have to take the AirTrain to get to New York?
- No. The AirTrain only connects the terminals to the airport's own rail station; the Route 62 bus stops right at the terminal and goes straight to Newark Penn Station, so you can avoid the AirTrain and its fee.
- How much is the AirTrain plus NJ Transit train to Penn Station?
- One combined ticket to New York Penn Station is $17.25 and includes the AirTrain fare. It is faster (about 40 minutes) but more than double the $8 Route 62 bus route.
- How do I get to Manhattan from Newark Airport late at night?
- NJ Transit trains stop around 1 a.m. After that, take the 24-hour Route 62 bus to Newark Penn Station and the 24-hour PATH train ($3.00) to World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.
- How much is a taxi from Newark Liberty International Airport to the city?
- A taxi or Uber to Midtown runs about $70–90 plus tolls and surge pricing — roughly ten times the ~$8 Route 62 bus-and-train fare for the same trip.
- What is the best way from EWR to downtown New York City?
- For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the NJ Transit Route 62 bus to Newark Penn Station ($1.80), then an NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station in Manhattan's city center ($6.15) — about $8 total in roughly 55–70 minutes.
Last verified: . Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.