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Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

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#1

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 7:23pm

I'm seriously contemplating going to NYC this coming December (27-29). I've read about the nightmarish traffic eminating from La Guardia (an airport I'm familiar with). I am not familiar with the airport in Newark. I'd have to take some sort of train from Newark Airport and get into Manhattan. (I could always take SuperShuttle.) Thoughts?

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#4

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 7:46pm

I've taken the train and shuttle from Jersey. Depending on the day of the week and the time, the shuttle has never taken more than an hour (usually its less) to get into the city. The shuttle, I took, (nonhotel drops) stops at the Port Authority and Grand Central. It is convenient to catch. After picking up your luggage, there is a ticket office right there. Then you go outside and stand for the correct bus. It is a little confusing going back to Jersey from the Port Authority. The shuttles to LGA and JFK are in the front. The shuttle for EWR is kind of in the middle of the block, behind Port Authority. The train I remember being more nervewrecking, for me, then the shuttle. The cost I think about the same.

#5

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 7:58pm

on any given day any of the airports can be a disaster. I also prefer LGA and having flown in and out several times since things got bad I have had no trouble to a lot of trouble (by which I mean getting out of a ride on the opposite side and sprinting across). I think the subway to the bus from jackson heights is the least problematic way to get there nowadays. EWR is fine but inherently slower and more subject to major delays if you take the bus. The train is pretty easy. no clue where all these stairs are..

#6

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 8:18pm

We've done both and prefer LGA. We usually try to arrange flights around non-rush hour times, and usually have no problems. Of course, even that is no guarantee of a problem-free commute.

#7

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 8:23pm

I'm taking Southwest, so the airfare is definitely more reasonable via EWR than LGA. Also, I've read reports on how the traffic into and out of LGA is horrific. I'm thinking of staying at the Mayfair (on the same block as my favorite show). I stayed there last time in Dec. 2015. I better act quickly. Does anyone know if Supershuttle takes people from EWR to Midtown Manhattan?

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#9

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 8:35pm

I take the train to and From Trenton often. Looks like you can take that airport tram to NJ Transit and hop on a train into NY Penn Station. The northeast corridor line.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#10

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 9:02pm

Go to LGA. The extra money you save in airfare isn't worth the headache of getting from Newark.

#11

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 9:06pm

I travel to NYC frequently and I have a lot of experience with all 3 airports. The in-airport lines/delays/walking distances are much more manageable at LGA than EWR or JFK. There can be issues traveling to/from any of the airports via subway/train/taxi/car service etc. but I would take my chances with LGA before EWR any day. As the last poster said, I am usually willing to pay a little more in airfare just to use LGA over the others, it is definitely worth it in the end.

Updated On: 10/10/16 at 09:06 PM

#12

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 9:28pm

HogansHero said: "EWR is fine but inherently slower and more subject to major delays if you take the bus. The train is pretty easy. no clue where all these stairs are.. "

Last time I got in EWR and had to go back to the city with luggage, I definitely noticed the stairs given some escalators weren't working! My memory may be failing me but from what I recall on taking the EWR airtrain and NJTransit to NYC:

1) You have to find the airtrain station and from there pick the right train towards NJTransit stop (the other train will go the wrong direction towards the EWR parking lots.)

2) You'll have to find a vending machine to pay for airtrain & NJ Transit ticket. Note you will be waiting outside and though we've had warm Decembers as of late, it might be freezing at night.

3) The Newark Penn Station stop comes before New York Penn Station so make sure to get off at the right stop!

4) Upon arrival at NY Penn station, everyone will be going towards this narrow escalator or stairs. If you don't have luggage or if you only have a backpack, that's fine.... but with luggage this might be a pain.

5) NY Penn station is HUGE and for someone not familiar with the station, there are tons of exits everywhere and people walking everywhere that it can be intimidating.

In other words, if you do choose to go to EWR and have luggage, either take a taxi, take the Newark Airport express bus to Manhattan, or take the supershuttle directly to your hotel! :) If you only bring a backpack then taking the train route will be fine.

#13

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 9:29pm

The only good thing EWR has going for it is that you can take the airtrain to NjTransit right into penn Station New York. LGA, you are at the mercy of the roads and traffic no matter what. That said, I far prefer LGA because I find the M60 bus to the N train far easier and convenient than the pure train combo of EWR. It's cheaper and faster too.



Now with LGA's construction, I have also heard horror stories of people getting out of their cabs far away from the airport and just walking the rest of the way in a desperate attempt to make their flights since the traffic is so choked around the airport. I have not heard that it is still so bad recently though. However, you are asking about the week between Christmas and New Years, a week in which all of New York is bursting at the seams with people everywhere.

I already have my tickets to fly into LGA at 7am on Dec 26. I hope the early hour will ease the traffic concerns. I'm also leaving at 6am the following Friday to avoid traffic. I suggest you do something similar. Chicago has LOTS of added matinees that week!

#14

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 10:07pm

I've honestly never had a major hassle with traffic with LGA, to or from. Just be cautious of when your flights are- never schedule anything within morning or afternoon rush hours or peak travel days (i.e. Christmas Eve etc).

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#16

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 10:56pm

that news story from August does not represent the current state of affairs at LGA. They have taken steps to ameliorate the situation (which is not to say there are not times it's still really bad, but as I said above that is true at all 3 airports). But if you go to EWR by bus you are spinning a roulette wheel.

#17

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 11:13pm

PThespian, I agree with your two cents. Of the times i traveled via EWR (free trips on United) I never had a problem. I now go via JFK through Jetblue, only because it is a direct flight and usually cheaper. (no more free flights at this time) It was very easy to get luggage and get through security. I found that the flights took off from EWR more timely, than the other two. Maybe it was luck .I also have taken the shuttle many times and it was relaxing to me. The one or two times i took the train, it was very crowded and I had to stand the entire time. I would take the shuttle that does NOT do hotel to hotel. It takes too long. I always took the shuttle that dropped me off at the Port Authority.

Updated On: 10/10/16 at 11:13 PM

#18

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/10/16 at 11:16pm

I decided on LGA for my trip for Dec. 25--28.

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#19

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/11/16 at 12:38am

I seem to be flying into Newark more often than not because there's a direct flight from my home town. In order to go to LGA I have to change planes.

That being said the airtrans and NJ Transit to Penn Station is easy and super fast. You can't miss the air tran sign and you take it to the end and you're at the NJ train station. You can prebuy your pass if you go into Newark website and follow the instructions. You'll have it on our smart phone or I believe you can print out

you'll be in to Penn Station within a 1/2 HR and then grab cab or Uber to hotel.

I've never done it in winter but I do believe you are under cover for the most part with escalators to help with bags.

If I cud get a direct flight to LGA I'd do it every time.

#20

Is It Best To Avoid LGA and Take EWR?

Posted: 10/11/16 at 11:21am

My local commuter airline flies into EWR and I've never found it to be a problem. I used to take the AirTrain and connect to NJTransit into NYC Penn Station but since I usually travel outside of rush hours, I started taking the Airport Express bus to 42nd St. (stops at Port Authority, Bryant Park and Grand Central). It's relaxed, there's a place for luggage and I connect to the subway once in Manhattan.

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