What’s the best way to get from the Newark airport to Midtown? I have three adults and two kids. The lowest-cost option would not necessarily be the best.
I have used the bus listed below, its only $15.00 one way and kids under 12 go free with a paying adult
Newark Liberty Airport Express
OK, so you say “the lowest-cost option would not necessarily be the best”, but as a benchmark, the lowest-cost option is a free one if you’re coming in on a weekend.
If you can manage to run across the New Jersey Turnpike to the humongous Ikea off Exit 13A that’s right near the airport, there’s a free shuttle bus from there to the Port Authority, but I think it only runs on weekends.
The simplest way would be to just hop in a taxi. You might all fit in one of the mini-van taxis, or you could take 2. I’m guessing it would be around $50 (per vehicle, not per person). It could take you straight to your hotel or whatever your first stop is.
Next best sounds like the bus that CWN suggested. A similar option is the NJ Transit train (Northeast Corridor line) but you have to take the AirTrain from the airport terminal to the train station, which is an extra step.
I have used this option a time or two and it’s cheap, easy and about as quick as a taxi, though for several people, a cab may be about the same amount of $$$, (but when traveling solo, the shutle bus is the inexpensive way to go)…
Have fun in NYC!!!
You’ll need two taxis. They won’t take 6 of you in one car.
You could take the AirTrain as well.
Here’s the weekday train schedule for the AirTrain from Newark Airport to New York’s Penn Station (which sits between 32nd and 34th Streets, and 7th and 8th Avenues.) If you need the weekend one, click on ‘Train Schedules (Station to Station)’ above the schedule, and change the relevant options. It’s $15 for adults and $11.25 for kids. I’d pick between the train and the shuttle bus based on how irritating it’d be to add the extra step of switching between the monorail to the train, and which will get you closer to your hotel.
I’ll chime in and say Air Train is the way to go. When I have to go to NYC for business I fly into Newark and take the train. I usually go to Newark Pen Station and then take the Path to the WTC station.
There are van/SUV style taxis that can fit six people and some luggage, and I would think many of them hang around airports. But I can’t say for sure.
[Modding]Thread moved to IMHO.[/Modding]
Since you’re in a group of 6 people, it might actually be cheaper to go by car service than it would be to go by train. Taking the train from Newark to Penn Station would come to about $85.00 for three adults and two kids. Car service could be as little as 50 or 60 bucks, plus tip. If you’re exhausted from a flight and the kids are getting cranky, taking the car might also be nicer, too.
If you use a car service, you can call them ahead of time and arrange the ride. Let them know that you have 6 people going, with luggage, and that you need plenty of space. That way, you won’t have to wait on line for a taxi at the airport.
You can use Google maps to find car services, or you can use hopstop. (Ask hopstop how to get from Newark Airport to wherever you want to go. They’ll give you the mass transit route, but they also have an option to check out taxi and car service fares and estimated times. Along with that, they’ll give you a small directory of car services to call.)
Thanks to all for the info. I was unclear in the OP and actually our party totals five (the three adults includes me).
I’m leaning toward the shuttle, but may look into the car service. I don’t know if I want to count on there being a minivan taxi big enough for all five of us available at the right time. Fortunately, our hotel is near Grand Central. (It’s really “Midtown East” - I don’t remember that being a neighborhood the last time I was in NYC).