I made a spontaneous decision to meet someone in NYC tonight. I have never been there before and will be traveling alone. I arrive at Newark at 9:30 pm (if on schedule) and need to get to W 34th Street and 8th Ave. Is taking AirTrain Newark to Penn Station and then walk to the hotel the best option? Would I need to switch trains at any point or does it go straight to Penn Station from the airport? Is it safe for a female alone at night with a suitcase (pretty good indication I am not from there.) I appreciate any quick responses I can get since I am leaving for the airport in a few hours.
Thank you.
Very easy, I did it recently. NJ Transit’s airtrain goes right to Penn Station, once you get out of the airport portion of the train. (note there is also a Penn Station in NJ…confusing right? But they say “Newark Penn Station” when they stop there, in any case NYC Penn is the last stop).
I’d say it is perfectly safe, and wheeling a suitcase at Penn is what all the NYers are also doing, as they are heading out of town or back or to the beach or whatever.
You can exit Penn Station pretty much right at 8th and 33rd, watch the signs inside for where on the street they come out.
You can put in your arrival time and it will tell you everything here: http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TripPlannerTo
Google Maps/Nav will do it for you also.
Thank you OHMomof2. Do you just purchase a ticket where you board the train?
I think you need to be careful with the terminology. The AirTrain is the train that goes around Newark Liberty airport. It doesn’t go to NY Penn Station. NJ Transit trains go to Penn Station. And yes, it’s confusing that there is a Newark Penn Station and the NY Penn Station! I haven’t taken this route myself, but I think you need to use AirTrain to the Airport Station where you will get on a NJ Transit train to Penn Station. Be aware that some NJ Transit trains go to Hoboken rather than Penn, so check the map or ask at the station.
See these maps and info:
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/ewr-to-from.html
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/ewr-airtrain-brochure-english.pdf
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/rail-connections.pdf
I’m sure there will be ticket machines at the Airport station. Or you can download the NJTransit app on your phone and get an electronic ticket.
I meant, once you take the airtrain from your terminal and arrive at the Newark International Airport station where you pick up the NJ Transit train to the city. I hope that was clearer 
Yes there are machines for tickets. They accept credit cards.The whole ride is, I think, $13.
If your flight is delayed then you might have to change trains at Newark’s Penn - like I think at midnight that happens. That’s where that link I posted is useful (or the app) - it tells you what to do depending on the time and date you put in.
It’s very easy to take the train from Newark to Penn Station. My D did it many times alone when living in NYC.
You could also take Amtrak, correct? It stops at Newark Liberty airport and goes to Penn station in NYC. I would choose based on a convenient time and on prices.
Last time I was at Newark Airport doing a pickup at arrivals I noticed a bus service into midtown Manhattan (the bus stop was clearly labelled for it)- I cannot however find that information on the internet to help you out because their links are broken!
Amtrak would be a hassle - NJ transit is easier
I’m not sure it’s more of a “hassle” to take Amtrak, since both Amtrak and NJ Transit trains pick you up and drop you off at the same places, and you can buy tickets from a machine before you get on the train in either case. But NJ Transit is much cheaper, $13 for a one-way fare between the Newark Airport station and New York Penn Station, v. $35 on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service.
We did it a few weeks ago with luggage. The stairs are a minor hassle. Just take the airport light rail to the NJ Train station and then to Penn Station (NOT the first one lol!)
The same taxi ride will cost you $80.00 :((
Just be aware that there is Newark Penn Station and NYC Penn Station-34th Street. Avoid the $35 Amtrak fare and wait for the New Jersey Transit train to NYC-34th Street. Buy your ticket by means of the vending machines and you will avoid the on-board surcharge.
If there are service problems with NJ Transit…
If you can get to Newark Penn Station, transfer to the PATH rail service, which will take you to 33rd Street-6th Avenue in Manhattan, with a few stops in lower Manhattan along 6th Avenue, OR…
Take the ‘second’ PATH train route, which terminates at the World Trade Center at the tip of Manhattan.
The escalators and elevators at PATH World Trade Center are quite easily accessible, as is the walk from PATH to the ‘E Line’ NYC Subway for travel further uptown.
@mom2010grad how did it go?