Taking the Train to the Plane – Newark (EWR)

….efficient – not fancy

The regional (NJ Transit) train connection from New York’s Pennsylvania Station to Newark Liberty Int’l Airport Station, where you connect with the Airtrain which drops travelers and airport workers to the respective terminals, provides an easy and rather quick train to plane connection – just don’t expect a luxurious trip or a place for your large luggage.

The summary

A surprising number of US cities provide train/subway connections between airports and the cities they serve. As most would expect, these connections exist in most major northeast cities from DC north to Boston (NYC LaGuardia a notable exception). But there are rail/rapid transit connections out west (SFO), in Texas (DFW), in the Rockies (DEN), Chicago (both airports), and the South (ATL and MIA).  I had a chance to connect from New York’s Pennsylvania Station (NYP) to EWR, to catch a flight on United. 

Rail service to the airport is provided by New Jersey Transit (NJT) via its Northeast Corridor Line and its North Jersey Coast Line. Round trip from EWR to NYP is $34. Some but not all Amtrak Northeast Regional Trains also stop at the airport – but it costs more.

NYP is well-connected to the entire NYC transit network via both the 7^th Avenue and 8^th Avenue subway lines, which both stop at the station. NYP serves NJ Transit, Amtrak, as well as the Long Island Railroad. Although the train tracks are generally accessible from all parts of the station, each rail network has their own “main” part of the station: Amtrak is mainly centered at the beautiful Moynihan Train Hall between 8^th and 9^th Ave; the LIRR along a lengthy (and recently revamped) corridor that runs between 7^th and 8^th along the 33^rd St. side of the station; NJT is mainly centered in the southeast corner of the station by 31^st St. and 7^th Ave. This is a station designed for commuters not travelers – it isn’t fancy. However, you will not go hungry – as there are several fast-food places and some bars not far from the tracks. I appreciate there is a departure board that shows which trains stop at the airport.

I purchased my ticket via the NJ Transit app – easy to do. The conductor scans the ticket and you scan it again when you exit at the EWR Airtrain station. There were plenty of seats on the double decker train. There are two intermediate stops: Secaucus (which has many NJT connections) and Newark Penn Station (the city’s main commuter and intercity station). My train ran pretty much on time. Once you arrive at EWR Rail Station, signs clearly point you to the Airtrain, which runs every few minutes or so and takes you to your terminal. The EWR/Rail/Airtrain station is not impressive: there is a Dunkin Donuts outpost and some washrooms but not much else.  

The Airtrain itself can get very crowded. The cars are rather small. A replacement Airtrain has just started to be built – it will take several years. But as it exists now, the trip is reliable (although I hear NJT often has delays), intuitive (it really is easy to navigate), and reasonably priced (for NYC).

The wrap

…The details. Start at 2:47 PM – Arrive at 3:12 PM

…What I like. Easy connection, not a lot of intermediate stops, plenty of seats on NJT

….What I don’t like. No luggage racks, Airtrain is crowded, stations at either end are not impressive