EWR for Commuters

[NavinRJohnson]

I had a couple of questions for those who commute to Newark, as I might be getting based there fairly soon...

Is it feasable to fly to JFK (or other airports) and take public transportation to EWR? With the subway and airtrain, it looks good on paper, but was wondering how it worked out in reality. Obviously a direct flight to EWR would be better, but it's nice to have options.

Is having a vehicle up there nice to have on reserve, or a waste of $$$? I was thinking of buying a beater car, but would like to be dissuaded if I don't need it.

Any other comments on the area? I know, I know-- don't commute, but I've heard not so great things about living there, and I've a family to think about. (Plus my spouse has a killer job in another state to support my airline bum habit).

Thanks for the advice...

The Navin

 

[EWR_FO]

JFK-EWR via Airtrain, LIRR, and NJ Transit train is about $23.00 and anywhere from 45-90 minutes. Princeton Airporter ground transportation is about the same price, usually always takes longer, and only leaves once an hour. I do it all the time and always go by train.

 

[JB Bus Drvr]

I've done it a couple of times. I've found the bus to be OK and pretty cheap (around $23 or so). Van service is a little more at about $40. For both of those, you've got to watch hours of operation. Forget cab and car service. You're talking over $100 plus tolls. I've never used the train and it appears to be the best fro the hours it operates. Just the bag drag around could get old real fast.

It's a viable alternative for JFK or LGA, but give yourself at least 1 1/2 hours as a backup time.

 

[NavinRJohnson]

Thanks for the info... Sounds like if you don't make it into EWR it definitely adds up the commuting time.

How 'bout having a car up there while on reserve? Worth it?

 

[rattler]

I commute to EWR, and have used LGA as a backup a couple times. One time I took a bus directly to EWR (approx $20), the other time I took the train. The train is a pain because you first have to take the city bus (M60) to Jackson Square, then take the (F?) train to the WTC, where you grab the PATH to EWR Penn, from there either take the North Corridor NJ Train ($4) or the 62 bus.

There are many areas around EWR with crashpads. I would recommend Hoboken or the Newport/Pavonia section of Jersey City. Both areas are nice and safe. Hoboken is probably the best, there is alot of night life and Manhatten is one stop away on the PATH.

If you choose to get a crashpad in one of these two places you will probably want to have a car. You can take the train (many do), but it is a pain because you have to make 3 transferes. The car ride is only about 15 mins.

 

[NavinRJohnson]

Thx Rattler and everyone else. Just what I was looking for.

Time to look for an AMC Hornet, perhaps a Pacer or the good ol' El Camino.

Hasta, Navin

 

[Ex737Driver]

Get the rusted out s**t box. Reserve with no car leaves you very close to the airport. With a car you can get a decent place for a lot less money.