How quickly can you get to Newark from NYC after a Sunday mat?

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 7:57pm

Have yet to pick my Sunday mat show for my NYC trip the first weekend of May. One of my concerns is making my flight, which leaves at 8:00 p.m. out of Newark (if it's on time). "American Idiot" and "Sondheim on Sondheim" have been on the radar because of their 2:00 curtain times, but have also been considering "A Little Night Music" and "Promises, Promises," both of which start at 3:00. Could I get to Newark for my flight if I saw a mat with a 3:00 curtain and an end time around 5:30 or 6:00?

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 8:01pm

I would stick with American Idiot since it will get out at 3:40ish which will give you enough time with some time just in case to get to the airport.

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 8:05pm

American Idiot might be your only choice, any other would be a very close call, but most likely you won't make it at all.

If you take transit, it would take you over an hour to get there (if we're generous) and a taxi might get stuck in traffic.

If a show ends at 6PM, there's almost no chance for you to make a flight. It's also important to know if you're flying domestic.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 8:07pm

I would see American Idiot also because it's amazing.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 8:10pm

American Idiot all the way to get home.

I had a flight back to London at 10:30pm on Sunday and saw In The Heights, left Times Square at 6:30 to get to JFK via hotel.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 8:11pm

Yes Blaxx I am a domestic flyer. I intially planned on "American Idiot" being my Sunday mat choice. Given my time constraints, it looks like it is the safest choice as well.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 9:24pm

Well I looked it up for you on njtransit.com, and there's a train leaving NY Penn Station at 6:14pm on Sunday, May 2nd, which arrives at Newark Airport at 6:37pm. So, if you think you can push and shove your way out of the theater at 6 and get down to 34th and 7th Ave by 6:14, you'll be set.

http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TripPlannerItineraryFrom

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 9:32pm

That is considering the train has no delays. On top of that, the train gets you to the airport, but not the terminal.

You still need to transfer and wait for the train to get to the terminal, which can certainly make you lose the flight - not a smart move.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 9:36pm

You will NEVER make it from the Walter Kerr to the boarding platform at Penn Station by 6:14.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 9:38pm

I was going to say exactly what blaxx did, about still needing to get from the train station to the terminal. I think you'd be much better off seeing a shorter show.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 11:04pm

you'll have plenty of time....dont worry about it : )

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 11:25pm

I had a similar flight with the closing on Novemeber as my final show...totally made it on time.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 11:57am

See a 2pm show.

The EWR train station isn't at the terminals. You need to get off the train and take the monorail which adds another 5 minutes.

The walk to Penn Station is 15-20 minutes unless you are some sort of world class athlete.

[Ryguy7]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 1:06pm

I've taken the train from Penn to EWR many times. Once you get on the train, and it leaves - you can expect to be in the Terminals 30-40 minutes later. The AirTrain between the station and the terminals leaves every 4 minutes, providing both tracks are in service.

I've never had a delay problem with trains leaving Penn Station. Maybe I'm just lucky.

I think if you give yourself an hour from train departure to check-in, that's more than enough time. If you're not checking luggage, and you check-in online..you've bought yourself more time?

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 1:33pm

Security in Newark has been pretty tight and tedious (as it should be) since the mess they has over the holidays. I'd recommend getting there at least 2 hours before your flight. If you're checking baggage, longer. I was in the security line for well over an hour and people who didn't plan and cut in line weren't the most popular people at the airport. This was on a Monday. I imagine Sunday security will take just as long (if not longer). I'd see Idiot and catch the first train to the airport ASAP.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 3:29pm

I've never had a delay problem with trains leaving Penn Station. Maybe I'm just lucky.

I would say you have been lucky.

It doesn't happen all the time.

But the one time, it does, will be the time you need to get somewhere on time.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 5:40pm

Thanks to all who have offered their opinions. Since I tend to be someone who plays it safe, I will probably stick with "American Idiot." I've also considered "Everyday Rapture" which I believe also has a 2 p.m. curtain on Sunday. I wondered if anyone who saw it off-Broadway knows the approximate run time.