Newark Airport to Jersey City:
The Complete
Getting-Around Guide
One flight lands you closer to your stay than almost anywhere else in the NYC metro. Here's exactly how to get from EWR to Jersey City, and how to get around once you're here.
"Most people flying into the NYC area spend 45 minutes to an hour just getting from the airport to their hotel. From Newark to Jersey City, that number is closer to 20."
Every StayJC guest eventually asks the same two questions: how do I get here from the airport, and how do I get around once I've dropped my bags? Both answers are simpler than people expect — Jersey City sits closer to Newark Liberty International Airport than any Manhattan neighborhood does, and once you're here, the PATH, the light rail, and a short list of bus routes cover almost everywhere you'd want to go.
What This Guide Covers
Getting From Newark Airport to Jersey City
Newark Liberty International (EWR) is roughly 10–15 minutes from most StayJC properties by car, and depending on traffic, that's often faster than getting from JFK or LaGuardia to a Manhattan hotel. You've got three practical ways to make the trip:
AirTrain + NJ Transit: The free AirTrain connects every terminal to Newark Liberty International Airport Station, where you can catch an NJ Transit Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line train toward Newark Penn Station — about a 10-minute ride. From Newark Penn, it's a short PATH or light rail connection into Jersey City. Total time door-to-door is usually 35–45 minutes, and it's the cheapest option if you're not carrying much luggage.
Rideshare or taxi: Uber, Lyft, and taxi stands are available at every terminal. This is the simplest option for most travelers — no transfers, no stairs with luggage, and typically a 15–20 minute ride depending on which Jersey City neighborhood you're headed to.
Airport shuttle or car service: Pre-booked shuttles and car services offer a fixed price and guaranteed pickup, which some travelers prefer over rideshare surge pricing, especially late at night.
Flying in from somewhere else first? search flights into Newark, JFK, or LaGuardia on Booking.com and compare fares before you book.
The PATH Train
Once you're in Jersey City, the PATH train is the backbone of getting into Manhattan. It runs from Journal Square and Grove Street directly to 33rd Street or the World Trade Center, with trains running frequently — every few minutes during peak hours, and reliably through the night on weekends. A ride costs the same as an NYC subway swipe, and the trip to the World Trade Center from Journal Square takes about 25 minutes.
If you're staying near Journal Square, McGinley Square, or Bergen-Lafayette, you're typically a short walk or quick bus ride from a PATH station. It's the single fastest way into Lower Manhattan from Jersey City, full stop.
The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
The light rail is Jersey City's above-ground connector, running along the waterfront and up into the Heights, with stops that link neighborhoods the PATH doesn't reach directly. It's especially useful if you're staying in Jersey City Heights — the 9th Street/Congress Street station connects you down to the PATH system, the waterfront, and Liberty State Park without needing a car or rideshare. It's slower than the PATH for a straight shot into Manhattan, but far more useful for getting around Jersey City itself.
Local Buses
NJ Transit buses fill in the gaps between the PATH and light rail, and a couple of routes are worth knowing regardless of which neighborhood you're staying in. The 119 and 123 run directly from Jersey City Heights into the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown — a no-transfer option into the city that's often faster than a PATH-plus-subway combination, especially outside rush hour. Local routes also connect neighborhoods like McGinley Square and West Side to the nearest PATH or light rail station in about 10–15 minutes.
Rideshare & Driving
Uber and Lyft are reliable throughout Jersey City, with wait times typically under 10 minutes. It's the easiest way to get to Newark Airport, to a neighborhood without direct transit access, or to carry luggage without navigating stairs. If you're renting a car for day trips beyond Jersey City — the Jersey Shore, the Poconos, or Philadelphia — search car rentals on Booking.com before you land to lock in a better rate.
Which Option Fits Your Trip
| PATH Train | Light Rail | Rideshare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Manhattan trips | Getting around JC | Airport runs, luggage |
| Cost | Subway-equivalent fare | Subway-equivalent fare | Varies with demand |
| Speed to WTC | ~25 min from Journal Sq | Transfer to PATH needed | Traffic-dependent |
| Runs | Frequent, 24/7 weekends | Frequent daytime/evening | On demand |
Which Option Fits Your Trip
For most first-time visitors, the simplest plan is: rideshare from Newark Airport straight to your StayJC property, then PATH or light rail for everything else once you're settled in. If you're traveling light and want to save on the airport transfer, the AirTrain-to-NJ-Transit route works well and costs a fraction of a rideshare fare. And if your stay includes day trips beyond Jersey City itself, a rental car for just those days — rather than the whole trip — is usually the most cost-effective approach.
Whichever neighborhood you land in, you're rarely more than a short walk or bus ride from a PATH or light rail stop — which is a big part of why Jersey City works so well as a base for exploring the whole region.
Browse StayJC properties and book direct →Locking in your flight before you plan the rest of the trip? Search Flights on Booking.com →
Need a rental car for day trips beyond Jersey City? Search Car Rentals on Booking.com →
Booking Tours & Experiences
Once you've got transportation sorted, Jersey City puts you close to everything else worth seeing in the region — Statue of Liberty tours, NYC sightseeing, Hudson River cruises, and more. We partner with the following platform to help you make the most of your stay:
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you book through them, StayJC may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Transit times, fares, and routes are subject to change — check current NJ Transit and PATH schedules before you travel. We only recommend platforms and services we'd genuinely suggest to a friend visiting Jersey City.