Newark Liberty International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Newark Liberty is on the New Jersey side of the Hudson, not in Manhattan: anyone with an overnight layover, a dawn departure, or no wish to cross the river twice finds it convenient to stay on the airport grounds or a few minutes away by shuttle. Those visiting New York, working in the city, or with more time to spare choose Manhattan, from which a direct train reaches the airport's station: here the area depends on what you need to do in the city, not the distance, which stays similar everywhere. Times Square for the theaters, Herald Square for those catching a train, Lower Manhattan for the September 11 memorial and Wall Street.

At the airport

free AirTrain connection to Terminals A, B and C in a few minutes, the only hotel on the airport grounds

Best for: those with an overnight layover or a dawn flight who prefer to stay on the airport grounds

Pros

the only hotel directly connected to the terminals by free AirTrain
useful for those departing very early in the morning

Cons

no evening life around, just the hotel's own restaurant and bar
rates higher than average compared with the nearby airport area

Recommended hotels in this area

Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott: the only hotel located on the airport grounds, reachable on foot or by the free AirTrain to the terminals

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Newark Airport area

Airport area · the hotel's free shuttle to all terminals in a few minutes

Best for: those who want to sleep near the terminal while spending less than the hotel on the airport grounds

Pros

free shuttle to all terminals, running round-the-clock
lower rates than the hotel on the airport grounds

Cons

you have to wait for the shuttle, it's not within walking distance
an area of highway interchanges, nothing to do on foot in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Courtyard Newark Liberty International Airport: free shuttle to all terminals and made-to-order breakfast at the Bistro
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Newark Liberty International Airport: simple rooms with a free shuttle and buffet breakfast included

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Penn Station and Herald Square

Neighbourhood · a direct NJ Transit or Amtrak train from Penn Station to Newark Liberty Airport Station in about 30 minutes, then the AirTrain to the terminal

Best for: those with an early or late flight who want the most direct connection to the airport

Pros

the only area with a direct train to the terminal with no changes
also close to the Empire State Building and the big department stores

Cons

an office district, less lively in the evening than Times Square
crowded sidewalks at rush hour near the station

Recommended hotels in this area

Hampton Inn Manhattan-35th St/Empire State Bldg: a few minutes on foot from Penn Station, useful for anyone catching the train to the airport
Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street: rooms close to the station, practical for anyone arriving late and leaving on the first train

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Times Square and Midtown

Neighbourhood · the direct Newark Airport Express bus to Midtown in 40-60 minutes depending on traffic

Best for: first-time visitors to New York who want theaters, shops and evening life right outside the door

Pros

theaters, restaurants and shops open late just steps away
a direct bus stop to the airport with no changes

Cons

the most touristy and noisiest part of Manhattan
less predictable travel time to the airport due to traffic

Recommended hotels in this area

New York Marriott Marquis: in the heart of Times Square, with panoramic restaurants for anyone wanting to experience the area without going out
Hilton New York Times Square: on 42nd Street among the theaters, in the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for 5 years for its consistent reviews

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World Trade Center and Lower Manhattan

Neighbourhood · a direct PATH train to Newark Penn Station, then the AirTrain to the terminal, a bit over an hour in total

Best for: those working on Wall Street or wanting to visit the September 11 memorial and the Brooklyn Bridge

Pros

the September 11 memorial, Wall Street and the river just steps away
a quieter neighborhood in the evening than Midtown

Cons

fewer theaters and nightspots than Times Square
the PATH connection requires one more change than the train from Penn Station

Recommended hotels in this area

World Center Hotel: three minutes on foot from the September 11 memorial, handy for anyone visiting that area
New York Marriott Downtown: close to the Rector Street subway station, practical for anyone working on Wall Street

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