How to Get From Newark Airport to Brooklyn (ERW to Brooklyn & Brooklyn to ERW)

Trying to find the best way to get from Newark Airport to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark Airport? Our guide has got you covered as well as all the different options from trains, buses, private cars, rideshare apps, and taxis.

Newark Liberty International Airport (ERW) is located between the cities of Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey and sometimes a better option than flying into JFK or LaGuardia airport in New York City as its under 17 miles from Brooklyn and can be as little as a 35-minute drive.

There are multiple public transportation options to get from Newark to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark. Sometimes the quicker option involves a car service or taxi but the most affordable way is by public transportation like the subway and train services.

We will help you decide what the best mode of transportation is for you and your trip to Brooklyn.

The total journey from Newark Airport to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark Airport is around 17 miles and can take anywhere from 35 minutes (on a REALLY good day) to 2 hours typically – traffic, and other circumstances can vary times drastically.

Looking for where to stay in Brooklyn during your visit? See our entire guide by neighborhood and budget to help you pick the best area to stay in.

Newark Airport Travel Tips

If you’re coming from another country, be prepared for the possibility of long immigration lines. So if you’re planning your trip from ERW to Brooklyn precisely the possible immigration queue can make things more complicated.

We don’t recommend ordering a car on a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft until you have your luggage and are ready to leave the airport.

The fastest way from Newark Airport to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark Airport is by pre-arranging a private airport transfer or using a private car via a rideshare app.

The most inexpensive route is via subway and train.

Subway & Train 

This will always be the cheapest way to get from Newark Airport to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark Airport. However, getting from EWR to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark via subway and train will always require you to go through Manhattan to connect to the Newark Air Train which will take you to ERW.

Expect to pay around $15 a person and for this journey from Newark to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark to take close to 2 hours.

Getting a Metro Card at the Subway

If you plan on taking the train from Newark Airport to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark Airport and do not have a MetroCard you simply need to go into the station and use a credit card at the kiosk to buy a MetroCard.

When you get to a kiosk to buy a MetroCard you have two options, to buy a MetroCard with a preloaded amount of money to spend for example $20 worth of rides that you can add value you to when you run out OR you can buy an unlimited MetroCard for x amount of days where you can ride multiple times a day.

Helpful Metrocard Tips:

• A single ride on the subway is $2.75, after swiping you can transfer freely between subways and busses.
• Children under 44 inches tall can travel for free.
• You can pay for busses with exact change if you don’t have a MetroCard, but its easiest to just have a preloaded MetroCard.
• If you plan on riding on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) a separate ticket is needed and you can purchase at a kiosk, ticket office, or on your smartphone using the MTA eTix app. Prices vary between $5-10 one way depending on time of day.
• The NJ Transit is also another ticket that you can buy at the train station or using the NJ Transit App

Getting a NJ Transit Ticket

You will need to buy a NJ Transit Ticket for your exact route that you’re taking including a your starting stop on the NJ Transit and the ending stop on the NJ Transit for part of your journey from Newark Airport to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark Airport.

There are several ticket options, but we recommend just getting a one-way ticket at a time. This ticket will be good for both the Newark AirTrain and the NJ Transit Train.

You can purchase a ticket in person at the train station either at a vending machine or ticket counter. If this is your first time doing this, we recommend planning for a little extra time just in case it takes a few minutes longer and to avoid stress.

Also, if you’re not used to using the vending machine, which takes credit card only, go to the ticket counter so the person behind it can help you get your ticket without problems!

Travelers with disabilities and senior citizens have the option to purchase tickets aboard any train without penalty. But keep in mind, conductors cannot accept bills larger than $20.

The easiest way, in our opinion, is to download the NJ Transit App. Be sure to add your credit card information in first so you can buy tickets quickly. You simply download the app, pick your route, and confirm payment then your ticket will display on your phone, you will need to activate ticket right before boarding. This saves both time and money!

Do not activate before you arrive or too early, as once you activate the ticket it is only good for a period of time!

Once you are on the train, a conductor will check your tickets usually shortly after departing. Note that the train will make several stops so you need to pay attention to make sure you don’t get off too early or at the wrong stop.

ERW to Brooklyn: Subway & Train

This is the cheapest option for you to get from Newark Airport to Brooklyn, and depending on traffic it could be the same amount of time as getting a ride in a car.

While there is no direct train from Newark Airport to Brooklyn, you will have to transfer in Manhattan.

The train from Newark Airport to Brooklyn begins with the AirTrain which you will take to Manhattan. The Newark AirTrain is available from terminals A, B, & C.

The Newark Airtrain runs 365 days of the year and depart every few minutes from 5:00 am to 12:00 am, then after midnight until 5:00 am they run every 15 minutes.

Follow the signs to the AirTrain from your terminal to begin your journey from ERW to Brooklyn. You will have to purchase a ticket at the NJ Transit ticket machine or use the app. This ticket is for both the AirTrain and the NJ Transit Train before transferring over to the subway where you will use your MetroCard.

The easiest route is getting a ticket to New York Penn Station. Be sure not to confuse this with Newark Penn Station as the names are similar. New York Penn Station takes you to Manhattan and the other well stays in Newark, New Jersey.

This ticket will be around $15

The ride on the AirTrain will be pretty quick and depends on which terminal you’re leaving from. Once you get to Newark Liberty Airport Station you will want to get off the train and transfer to your NJ Transit Train heading toward New York Penn Station.

To find which platform you need to go to for from Newark Liberty Airport Station to New York Penn Station you will want to look at the monitors at Newark Liberty Airport Station. They typically show you your platform 10 minutes before boarding. Don’t miss your train!

Double-check you’re getting on the NJ Transit (not Amtrak) train and going to New York Penn Station (not Newark Penn Station)

Once you get to New York Penn Station you can continue your journey from Newark to Brooklyn by transferring from the NJ Transit to the subway. These will require a short walk and you can follow the signs towards the subway line you’re looking for.

Penn Station Subway lines

• 34th Street and 7th Avenue – 1, 2, & 3 lines
• 6th Avenue and 34th Street – N, Q, R or B, D, F, & M lines near Macy’s and Herald Square
• 34th Street and 8th Ave – A, C, & E
• 34th Street – 7 line

Getting from New York Penn Station to Brooklyn will vary depending on where you’re visiting in Brooklyn. We recommend plugging in your address of your final destination in Brooklyn to determine the quickest route on Google Maps.

One popular route to Brooklyn is via Atlantic Avenue Barclays Center Station which you can connect to from New York Penn Station on the 2, 3, B, D, N, Q, & R lines.

Brooklyn to Newark Airport: Subway & Train

This is the cheapest option for you to get from Brooklyn to Newark, and depending on traffic it could be the same amount of time as getting a ride in a car.

While there is no direct train from Brooklyn to Newark, you will have to transfer in Manhattan, for the sake of this guide we are going to have you transfer in Manhattan at New York Penn Station.

The train from Brooklyn to Newark begins with getting to New York Penn Station.

Penn Station Subway lines

• 34th Street and 7th Avenue – 1, 2, & 3 lines
• 6th Avenue and 34th Street – N, Q, R or B, D, F, & M lines near Macy’s and Herald Square
• 34th Street and 8th Ave – A, C, & E
• 34th Street – 7 line

Depending on your starting point this route could vary, so be sure to use your starting destination in Brooklyn and plug it in Google Maps to see which line can get you to Penn Station.

One popular route to Manhattan from Brooklyn is via Atlantic Avenue Barclays Center Station which you can connect to from New York Penn Station on the 2, 3, B, D, N, Q, & R lines.

Once you get to New York Penn Station you will need to buy a ticket for the NJ Transit with a starting point as New York Penn Station (not to be confused with Newark Penn Station) with your final point being Newark Liberty Airport Station.

To find which NJ Transit train platform you need to go to at New York Penn Station to get to Newark Liberty Airport Station you will need to follow the signs for the NJ Transit at Penn Station and use the monitors. They typically show you your platform 10 minutes before boarding, we recommend planning a little extra time to find this and be ready at the screens so you don’t miss your train.

Double-check you’re getting on the NJ Transit (not Amtrak) train and make sure you buy your ticket departing from New York Penn Station (not Newark Penn Station).

Once you get to Newark Liberty Airport Station, you will have to transfer to the AirTrain. Your ticket for the NJ Transit covers your ride on the AirTrain at the airport. The Newark AirTrain will connect you to terminals A, B, & C.

Express Bus & Subway

Another option for getting from Newark Airport to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark Airport is the Newark Airport Express Bus and subway combo.

Note that this option is ONLY AVAILABLE between 5:00 am to 1:00 am as that’s the only time the Newark Airport Express Bus runs.

The Newark Airport Express Bus has buses leaving every 30 minutes from Newark heading to either Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Terminal, and Bryant Park in Manhattan, the bus makes all three stops. Once you get off the Newark Airport Express Bus you can walk to the nearest subway to complete your Newark Airport to Brooklyn journey or vice versa.

The Newark Airport Express Bus has buses leaving every 30 minutes from Manhattan at their bus stops at Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Terminal, and Bryant Park in Manhattan en route to Newark Airport. You’ll have to take the subway from Brooklyn to one of these bus pick ups using the nearest subway stops.

You can buy your ticket for the Newark Airport Express Bus in advance. They are currently $17 for a one-way trip or $30 for round trip.

Via Port Authority Terminal

To find the Newark Airport Express Bus if you’re coming or going from Port Authority Terminal you’ll have to head to 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. This is where you can find the bus.

The nearest subway station is 42 St-Port Authority Subway Station. This subway station operates the 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, W, and S subway lines.

Via Grand Central Terminal

To find the Newark Airport Express Bus if you’re coming or going from Grand Central Terminal you’ll have to head to 41st Street between Park & Lexington Avenues. This is where you can find the bus.

The nearest subway station is 42 St – Grand Central Subway Station. This subway station operates the 4, 5, 6, 7, and S subway lines.

Via Bryant Park

To find the Newark Airport Express Bus if you’re coming or going from Bryant Park you’ll have to head to 42nd Street & 5th Avenue. This is where you can find the bus.

The nearest subway station is 42 St – Bryant Park / Fifth Avenue Station. This subway station operates the B, D, F, M, & 7 subway lines.

Finding the Newark Airport Express Bus at the Airport

• Terminal A (Outside the arrival level, lane 5)
• Terminal B (Outside the arrival level, lane 2)
• Terminal C (Outside the arrival level at bus stop 5 & 6)

Taxi or Rideshare Apps

The driving distance between Newark Airport and Brooklyn is approximately 17 miles. It takes approximately 35 min to drive from  Newark to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark on a perfect day.

Honestly, you’ll only get these times if you’re coming in the middle of the night. Most other times of the day there’s a considerable amount of traffic.

The shortest ride we’ve ever gotten was between 45 minutes and as long as 1.5 hours – just as long as the subway or bus options.

You really need to plan accordingly by the time of day, especially if you’re going from Brooklyn to Newark Airport so you’re not late for your flight.

Newark to Brooklyn: Taxi or Rideshare Apps

Taxis at Newark Airport

You can find taxi stands with taxis ready to take you from Newark to Brooklyn after you exit your terminal. You can follow signs clearly marked for the taxis and you’ll find a line, or if you’re lucky you can walk right up to the front of the line.

Reservations are not necessary for a taxi, the cabs are waiting to pick up passengers who need them. If there is a line, don’t worry they move pretty quickly. Also, double-check with the driver that someone hasn’t claimed the taxi before hopping in.

There will be someone who will give you a taxi fare ticket telling you what your estimated taxi fare will be to your final destination. These are usually very accurate but this quote does not include tolls which can be up to an additional $20 or tip.

If you feel like something’s wrong, ask for a receipt and double-check.

Keep in mind:

During weekday rush hours there is a $5 surcharge to all points in the state of New York, the only exception is Staten Island. These peak hours are M-F 6:00 am – 9:00 am, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Round trip tolls are not included in the quoted fare

There are additional charges for each piece of luggage over 24 inches

The local taxi commission automatically adds a $5.50 surcharge to all credit card transactions

Rideshare App Pickup at Newark Airport

Another great, direct way to get from Newark to Brooklyn is via a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft. We like to check rates between the two before ordering our ride as sometimes our account has discount codes activated.

Ride costs can fluctuate depending on various factors like time of day and demand, whether or not you want to carpool with other riders, or if you need a larger car. There is usually and extra airport fee added too that’s not in the quoted price.

These rates do not include tip either!

We recommend ordering your rideshare car once you have your luggage and you’re headed to the designated pick up area.

If you’re waiting at the arrivals and it says your car has arrived but you can’t find it, call them because there’s a chance they could be at the departure level because they just finished dropping someone else off. Just call the driver and tell him you’re coming to them. If you need the driver to pick you up, they must leave the terminal, loop around and return to the terminal on the arrivals floor.

Always double check your location after you order your car not to cause confusion and never get in a car that doesn’t match the license plate and car matched on your rideshare app.

Private Airport Transfer

The driving distance between Newark Airport and Brooklyn is approximately 17 miles. It takes approximately 35 min to drive from  Newark to Brooklyn or Brooklyn to Newark on a perfect day. Honestly, you’ll only get these times if you’re coming in the middle of the night. Most other times of the day there’s a considerable amount of traffic.

What’s nice about a private airport transfer is that your driver will deal with everything. If you’re going from Newark to Brooklyn you just have to tell them your flight information is and they will be waiting for you with a sign with your name just like in the movies.

Plus, there’s no lugging around your luggage!

From Brooklyn to Newark Airport you can let the driver know what time your flight is and they will know what time to pick you up with variables like traffic in mind and get you to Newark airport on time for your flight.

Book your private car transfer to ease stress and confusion over public transportation as well as have more of a white-glove service during your travels with comfort.

If you need anything, the private car transfers also of 24/7 customer service. The price you pay includes tolls, taxes, and tip!

The private transfers can also accommodate for accessibility, however, they need a 3-day notice so they can arrange for the proper car.

Read Next: 100+ Awesome Things to do in Brooklyn

What to Pack

Whether you’re going from Brooklyn to Newark Airport or Newark Airport to Brooklyn these are essential items to pack for any city trip or trip to the airport. See our full guide for what to pack for Brooklyn for more ideas.

This Pacsafe Shoulder Bag slings over your body and is the perfect size to carry your day essentials while exploring Brooklyn. This lightweight bag has anti-theft features so you can enjoy Brooklyn with ease of mind with Pacsafe’s anti-theft patent products whether you’re in a crowded area or on the subway.

This Pacsafe Anti-theft Backpack is another essential for Brooklyn or any city trip. This backpack has a patented anti-theft design with lockable zippers and slash-proof material in this sleek and comfortable designed backpack.

Avoid high tech thieves with this 15 pack of RFID blocking sleeves that doesn’t require you to buy a special travel wallet, you can carry your favorite purse, wallet, or backpack by simply putting your credit cards and sensitive information in these RFID blocking sleeves.

Upgrade your wallet with this RFID Blocking Wallet by Pacsafe is the perfect pick. Always have your identification, bank cards, and credit cards protected from high tech thieves with this RFID blocking wallet in this sleek and slim design.

One of the best ways to keep valuables safe when you travel is this Portable Safe by Pacsafe. This is ideal when you’re hotel has a safe that is too small for your belongings, with it’s sleek and compact design so it doesn’t take up much space in your luggage offering maximum security with its stainless steel wire mesh covered in a piece of cut-resistant canvas fabric. You simply lock this portable safe to a secure fixture in your hotel room when you leave.

This iPhone crossbody case is perfect for sightseeing as you can easily grab your phone for that perfect photo moment on the fly as well as keep your phone secured to your body and safe from pickpockets!

We recommend Allbirds Women’s Wool Runner as well as the Allbirds Men’s Wool Runner for an everyday walking shoe that’s breathable, comfortable, and feels like you’re walking on clouds. Your back and feet will thank us later, plus they are all the rage in the city at the moment.

A good reusable water bottle is one of the best things you can have in your day bag or on you at all times, plus New York City has some of the best drinking water in the country, cut back on single-use plastic and have a good reusable water bottle for your trip.

Don’t leave the house without a good power bank. Don’t spoil your fun exploring all the fun neighborhoods and things to see in Brooklyn by having your battery die on you. If you’re anything like me you’ll be using your phone to take photos, navigate, and post to social media while you’re exploring.

When it comes to the city, this weather is not forgiving and you don’t want to get caught out and about in the rain without an umbrella. That’s why we recommend this compact wind resistant travel umbrella for what to pack for Brooklyn.

Are you a sensitive sleeper?  A good pair of earplugs are essential for your Brooklyn or city trip, especially if you’re not from a big city.