Newark Airport (EWR) Flights & Information

It may not even be in the state of New York, but Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) was the first airport to service the New York City metro area when it opened in 1928. It remains one of the city’s three major airports. It’s not a particularly large airport, but it is one of the busiest in the country, so it helps to have the inside scoop. Use these expert tips for flying through EWR to streamline your next journey.

Getting to and from EWR by public transportation

Traveling between Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City is not the cheapest endeavor, but taking public transportation will still help you save over private car options.

To travel by train to New York Penn Station, take the AirTrain to Airport Station and transfer to a NJ Transit train to Penn. When buying your ticket, be sure to choose New York Penn Station, not Newark Penn Station. I’ve made this journey in just under 45 minutes, but your travel time will depend on how long you need to wait to connect between trains at Airport Station.

While not common, this is a rare case where express bus service is a bit more expensive than the train, but not by much. Provided I only have one suitcase, I find this to be the better option, because no transfers are needed and it stops at both the East and West sides of the city, in addition to the center. It’s subject to NYC traffic, but typically reaches the city within an hour.

Getting to and from EWR by car

Both taxis and rideshare services operate from Newark for trips into the city or elsewhere. Because rates for rideshares can vary dramatically based on surge pricing at this very busy airport, either option can be cheaper at any moment. Taxi rates are predetermined by the dispatcher at EWR and you can check samples for many destinations online in advance, so it’s easy to compare costs on arrival before making a final call.

Even if the line for taxis seems long, I recommend this option when rideshares are surging, because surges here can be extraordinary, easily soaring into triple digit costs. Taxis tend to drive faster and more aggressively than regulated rideshares in the New York area, so you may arrive quicker too. Then again, if you don’t have the stomach for authentic New York driving, rideshares may be more your speed.

Security lines

Newark’s three terminals each have their own security checkpoints, and Terminal B has three of its own. Security wait times vary dramatically, not just between checkpoints but at each checkpoint individually. Fortunately, EWR offers live wait time updates, so you can attempt to estimate your wait shortly in advance – but be aware that these can change rapidly.

Because the terminals are not connected airside, you need to enter at your designated checkpoint rather than opting for the shortest line. Even within Terminal B, not all gates are connected post-security, so it’s just as important to enter the correct security line for your gate here. Because the wait at EWR is so unpredictable, plan for a long wait and arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.

I also urge you not to rely on expediting programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to rush your way through security here. While Newark Liberty International Airport does honor both programs, the waits for these can also stretch far beyond what you may be used to. With both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, I’ve waited more than 20 minutes to pass security at Terminal A, even after the recent billion-dollar update.

Connections at Newark Liberty Airport

Disconnected terminals mean you may need to pass through security again when making connections at EWR. For domestic connections, I recommend booking tickets with at least one hour of connection time here, in case your gates are in separate terminals. United Airlines does operate an airside shuttle that connects Terminals A and C, and also delivers to some gates in Terminal B (no pickups allowed here), but this takes time too.

If you’re connecting at EWR from an international destination, I strongly recommend leaving at least two hours for your transfer. Wait times for immigration and customs are not unusually long, but you can expect to wait at least 20 minutes on average and sometimes more. You’ll also have to collect your luggage and re-check it, per US law. This means you’re at the mercy of baggage claim, and delays here are common.

Airline lounges at EWR and alternatives

Newark Liberty International Airport is a major hub for United Airlines, especially since the airline withdrew completely from nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in 2022. As such, it’s no surprise that United Club members have the most options at EWR, including the luxurious Polaris lounge. This one is only available to passengers flying Polaris (United’s long-haul business class cabin), but it’s a real treat if you can get in.

Not to be outdone, Delta Airlines also unveiled an epic new Sky Club experience in Terminal A in 2023, and I’ve found it to be one of the most intriguing, with its heavy emphasis on indoor-outdoor architecture and design. American Airlines also operates an Admiral’s Club in Terminal A.

All told, there are 11 airline lounges at Newark airport, including several from international airlines, but surprisingly no lounges for Priority Pass members. If you do hold this membership, you can still snag some serious discounts at the day spa in Terminal A instead.

While not quite an airline lounge, United operates a speakeasy restaurant in Terminal C at EWR. Though hardly advertised at all, Classified is billed as an invite-only restaurant for United elites, seating just 70 people daily. But this isn’t strictly true. United MileagePlus members can express interest online the day before a flight and often score an invite. It’s not cheap, but it’s certainly elegant and offers great runway views.

Things to do during a layover

EWR was home to the first passenger airline terminal, inaugurated by Amelia Earhart in 1935, and you can explore this and other tidbits of aviation history at exhibits throughout the airport. There’s also a Yoga Room in Terminal C and plenty of shopping throughout, but some of the restaurants and bars here are the most noteworthy attractions.

Between the three terminals, you’ll find more than 60 places to eat and drink, so options are far from limited. If you couldn’t score a reservation at that exclusive United restaurant, you can still have an upscale dining experience at EWR. In Terminal C, Saison serves an adapted steakhouse menu originally opened by legendary chef Alain Ducasse. It’s among the chicer dining experiences you’ll have at an airport.

Personally, I prefer my airport food on the grab-and-go side, so I usually head to Tony + Benny’s for the local Brooklyn pizzeria experience in Terminal B. Or, to acknowledge that you’re not really in New York, you can go in another direction and head to Garden State Diner in Terminal C. This is New Jersey nostalgia all the way, with a complete classic diner menu, and I highly recommend the milkshakes here.

Free Wi-Fi at EWR

EWR offers free W-Fi throughout the airport concourses and I’ve found it steady enough for casual internet and app usage, but it’s not always strong enough for streaming or video calls on your laptop in every area. If you need to take an important video call, you have a couple of options for more reliable signal.

My primary recommendation for US-based flyers is to launch a hotspot from your cell phone and connect your laptop to this rather than the airport Wi-Fi. Cell service tends to be more reliably strong than the Wi-Fi here, so you’re less likely to freeze or drop out of the call.

If you don’t have free cell service in the US but really need a reliable connection, you can pay for a day pass at the United lounges, where dedicated Wi-Fi is much stronger and you’ll even find desk set-ups for your work needs. This is not a cheap option, but it’s reliable and comes with unlimited food and beverages, plus a guaranteed place to keep your laptop charged throughout your call.