EWR: the code for Newark Liberty International Airport, New York

EWR is the IATA code for Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the three main airports serving New York City. The code often confuses first-time visitors because it does not spell "Newark", but EWR, Newark Airport and Newark Liberty all mean the same place. Pilots and air traffic control use the ICAO code KEWR.

So is EWR in New York? Not quite. The airport is in the state of New Jersey, on land shared by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. It is still sold and searched as a New York airport, alongside JFK and LaGuardia, because it serves the same metropolitan area. It is run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the same agency that operates JFK and LaGuardia.

Newark opened in 1928 and has grown into a large international gateway. It is also a major base for United Airlines. This guide covers where it sits, the three terminals, the airlines, the best ways into Manhattan and some practical tips.

Where Newark Airport (EWR) is located

If you search "EWR to Newark", the short answer is that the airport already sits inside the city limits of Newark, a few kilometres south of downtown Newark. Newark Penn Station, the city's main rail hub, is a short train ride away.

Midtown Manhattan lies to the north-east, on the other side of the Hudson River. By train, New York Penn Station is roughly 30 minutes away. By road, the journey depends heavily on traffic and the tunnels into Manhattan, so it can take anything from about half an hour to well over an hour.

For many travellers, EWR is the most convenient New York airport for New Jersey, the west side of Manhattan and the Financial District, which is why so many choose it over JFK.

Newark Airport terminals A, B and C

Newark has three passenger terminals. They are not linked by walkways, so it pays to know which one you need before you set off.

Terminal A

Terminal A serves mainly North American flights, with airlines such as Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue. It is the terminal most travellers use if they are flying one of the big US carriers other than United.

Terminal B

Terminal B handles most international airlines that are not part of United's operation. Carriers such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and many others fly from here. It has customs and immigration facilities for arriving international passengers, as well as a currency exchange and a baggage storage facility.

Terminal C

Terminal C is used by United Airlines for its domestic and international flights. If you are flying United from Newark, you will almost always depart from Terminal C, which is divided into several concourses.

Facilities across the terminals

All three terminals have free Wi-Fi, ATMs, restaurants, cafes and shops, including duty-free for international departures. Because the terminals are separate buildings, plan to eat and shop in the one you fly from rather than moving between them.

Airlines and flights from Newark EWR

More than 30 airlines fly from Newark, linking the New York area with cities across the United States and around the world.

• United Airlines uses EWR as a major hub, with flights across North America and to Europe, Asia, Latin America and beyond.
• American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue connect Newark with their own hubs and many US cities.
• Air Canada links Newark with Canadian cities.
• International airlines in Terminal B, including British Airways, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, offer direct flights to their home bases.

For travellers from Southeast Asia, Newark is reachable nonstop with Singapore Airlines from Singapore, or with one stop via Europe, the Middle East or East Asia.

Getting from Newark Airport to Manhattan and New Jersey

AirTrain Newark

The AirTrain is a monorail that runs around the clock. It links Terminals A, B and C with the car parks, the car rental centre and Newark Liberty International Airport Station. Rides between terminals and to parking are free. The ride to the rail station requires a ticket.

Train to New York Penn Station

At Newark Liberty International Airport Station, you can change to NJ Transit trains on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines, or to Amtrak services. NJ Transit trains reach New York Penn Station in Midtown in roughly 30 minutes, and they also run south into New Jersey. This is usually the fastest and most predictable way into Manhattan.

Buses, taxis and rideshare

• Express coaches: buses run from the terminals to Midtown Manhattan, with stops near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park and Grand Central.
• Taxis: official taxi stands sit outside each terminal. Travel time to Manhattan depends on tunnel traffic and can exceed an hour at rush hour.
• Rideshare: app-based ride services also operate at the airport.
• Car rental: several major rental companies operate at Newark.

Tips for flying through Newark Airport (EWR)

• Check your terminal first. Terminals are not linked on foot, so confirm A, B or C on your booking before you travel.
• Give yourself time. Arrive about two hours before a domestic flight and about three hours before an international one. Security queues can be long at busy times.
• Allow for connections. Changing terminals means taking the AirTrain or a shuttle bus. If you have to clear security again, leave plenty of time.
• Watch the weather. Winter snow and summer thunderstorms can cause delays across all New York airports. Keep your airline's app handy for updates.
• Mind the time of day. Road traffic into Manhattan is heaviest on weekday mornings and evenings. The train avoids most of it.
• Entry paperwork. International visitors must meet US entry rules, such as a visa or approved travel authorisation, before they fly.

Exploring New York and Newark from EWR

Newark Airport puts the whole New York area within easy reach.

• Manhattan: Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building and Broadway theatres are a train ride from EWR via Penn Station.
• Lower Manhattan: the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Wall Street and ferries to the Statue of Liberty.
• Newark: the Ironbound district, known for Portuguese and Brazilian food, sits close to Newark Penn Station. The Newark Museum of Art and the Prudential Center arena are also in the city.
• New Jersey: the Jersey Shore beaches and towns such as Hoboken and Jersey City, with views back across the river to the Manhattan skyline.

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