New York City Travel Forum

I've taken the one-seat ride CoachUSA bus, from Port Authority to Newark, 2 times already, and I enjoyed it. Yep, I'm a native New Yawka! But is there any advantage in taking the rail to Newark? [no] Maybe I'm missing something here. The website is not crystal clear. Does the PATH take me directly into Newark/Penn? [yes] Does NJT also take me to the same Newark/Penn? [yes] From there, is there alot of stairs and long walking to the AirTrain platform? As this will be Thursday afternoon rush hour, should I expect heavy commuter crowds, and alot of "hurly-burly"? [I love that phrase.] and what would my overall costs be? The smell test tells me that I'm better off on the CoachUSA bus. Thanks again for your help.

I suggest you pay a visit to http://www.panynj.gov/airtrainnewark/

No personal experience here (yet), but I do know that EWR's AirTrain departs from Newark Airport station, not Newark Penn (I've been on Amtrak trains that have stopped at both stations). You can get there directly from New York Penn Station via NJT (I also know the trains that stop at the airport station are annotated by an "EWR" in the remarks on the Penn Station sign boards). The Amtrak station code for the airport station is EWR. According to the website, if you buy an NJT or Amtrak ticket to Newark Airport rail station, the ticket will also get you to the transfer onto AirTrain (the $5 for the train is included in the ticket price).

As far as advantages over the bus... the only one I can think of is traffic. If you're headed to/from the airport during rush hour, it would seem to me the train might get you there a bit quicker.

travelfrosch, thanks for taking the time to supply a detailed, informative, and well thought-out reply. That really does help me. Thanks again!

Yeah, I guess it takes too much of an effort to actually read a webpage that someone points you to, huh? Unable to comprehend what was written on the webpage, huh?

Your mean-spirited remark has already been reported.

Hi, John,

How are you, buddy? How was Paris?

I'd stick to the bus shuttle to Newark. I take this all the time and never had once a problem with it. The train could/might be speedier at times but remember that they as well can experience delays on the tracks...and then, the scene at Penn Station is always chaotic it stresses me out so much before even starting my vacation.

Where are you off to now?

Hey Stool,

There are stairs at Newark but there is also an escalator. I swear by the NJ Transit ride to EWR. I always try to fly from there.

Thanks, John

Stool,

If you live in Manhattan it is a breeze to take the NJ Transit from Penn Station for $15.00. It takes 20 mins. Otherwise the coach seems the best idea. The PATH train does not go to EWR it terminates at Newark Penn Station. Then you catch the NT Transit from there.

Keep in mind that if you take the train, you need to go to Newark Liberty Airport Station, which is after "Newark Penn". I much prefer the train, since it avoids traffic.

Thanks, Intrepid and John. i think I'll take the bus, as it's a 1 seat ride, and always street level. After all, trains can be delayed, too.

i agree with footstool on this one. i've taken the coach from port authority, the train from penn station and the last option and the cheapest was taking the path and the taking the public bus to newark airport (this was the only way to get there at 4 am!).

i prefer the bus from port authority since it is practically door to door. it takes you right to your terminal. the train option you still have to take the rail from the station to the terminal. i've had moments where it was not faster than the bus.

Penpoison, spoken like a true Brooklynite -- like myself! WIth the CoachUSA bus, everything is street level.
Thanks for your well-rounded opinion.

Boo to the provincial Brooklyites -- joking. I live 5 blocks from Penn Station, so it is very easy for me to reach JFK and EWR.

Stool,

Where are you heading to?

going to Paris, my dear John. Leaving tomorrow night. Taking my wife there for her birthday and Valentine's Day--I can't lose! As for getting to Newark, I do appreciate your advice. But you see the arthritis in my right knee has been acting up, so avoiding staircases is my top priority.

Confucius says "Getting old is a ***"

D'accord. Vieillir c'est la poisse.