Taking Transit To EWR Terminal A? There’s Something You Should Know

NEW YORK CITY – Flying out of Newark’s (EWR) Terminal A and plan to take public transit to the airport? Better block in some extra time.

Newark’s AirTrain, which connects New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) to the airport’s terminals, doesn’t directly connect to Newark’s new Terminal A. And it won't until 2029.

Instead, the current Terminal A station – and AirTrain terminus – deposits passengers near a parking garage (Short-term Parking A) that’s about a 15-minute walk to the actual Terminal A (map here).

Are you confused? It’s confusing.

A bus connection between the current Terminal A station and the actual Terminal A is available (travel time approximately 5-10 minutes), and according to a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, complimentary buses arrive every 5 to 10 minutes between 4 a.m. and midnight.

However, on multiple trips to Terminal A using AirTrain during standard travel windows, Patch found that these buses are not always reliable, meaning travelers may find themselves walking from the AirTrain station to Terminal A. Plan accordingly, as that’s about a 15-minute walk.

Additionally, signage in the area isn’t clear – something the Port Authority told Patch it plans to address.

“We will evaluate wayfinding in this area to identify potential improvements,” a spokesperson said.

Following Patch’s inquiry, the agency also said it plans to update its website.

“We will be updating the airport’s website to make travel information, especially for Terminal A, clearer for travelers,” the spokesperson said. “Currently, this information is posted in various locations throughout the EWR site, and we aim to consolidate it into one easy-to-navigate section.”

20 Minutes?

Newark's website currently lists an optimistic 20 minutes of travel time between NJ Transit Rail Link Station and Terminal A. That information will be updated, airport officials confirmed, to more accurately reflect the complete end-to-end travel time of the journey.

On a recent visit during regular travel hours, Patch found that the total travel time between NJ Transit Rail Link Station – where NJ Transit drops EWR-bound passengers – and Terminal A was actually closer to 40 minutes. That includes making the transfer from NJ Transit to the AirTrain, waiting for the AirTrain, traveling on the AirTrain to the Terminal A station, and walking or busing to Terminal A from this station (Patch waited for a shuttle bus, but got antsy and hoofed it instead).

Officials recommend the Passio Go! app, which provides the location of buses along the Terminal A route in addition to several other airport bus routes. More information about the buses is available here.

Although Airport Customer Experience Specialists (ACES) in red polos/blouses are reportedly available at the Terminal A AirTrain station to assist travelers, Patch did not spot them on multiple recent visits.

A Workaround

Newark is one of United Airlines' major hubs, and the airline operates complimentary inter-terminal buses between Terminal C and Terminal A between 5 a.m. and midnight daily, service which is extended during irregular operations, a spokesperson for the airline told Patch.

These buses are available to passengers who have cleared security, and depart near gates C71 and A28 in Terminals C and A respectively. Look for the escalators, which are marked with fairly visible signage. If you can't find them, ask an airline representative.

Why is this important?

Returning to the AirTrain map (here), you’ll see that AirTrain connects directly to Terminal C – and that Terminal C is AirTrain’s second stop when departing from the NJ Transit Rail Link Station.

That means travelers can easily disembark AirTrain at Terminal C, check bags, clear security, and ride a complimentary shuttle to the harder-to-reach Terminal A.

The ride from Terminal C to Terminal A is about 7 minutes each way, according to United, a travel time that Patch was able to replicate. Including route finding, wait time, traffic on the tarmac (luggage carts and more), budget at least 15 minutes. The buses are fully accessible, United confirmed, with escalators and elevators on both ends of the route.

The plus side? You and your bags will have cleared security.

As of this time, United representatives managing the shuttle buses do not check boarding passes, so it shouldn’t matter whether you’re flying United or not.

Taxi or rideshare fare between Manhattan and EWR – or vice versa – is typically between $90-$120 including tolls, depending on your location.