Newark runs on two systems that don’t talk to each other: NJ TRANSIT, which covers nearly everything inside and around the city, and PATH, the separate rapid-transit line that tunnels under the Hudson to Jersey City and Manhattan. Knowing which one you need — and that you’ll need a different fare for each — is most of what there is to learn.
The basics
NJ TRANSIT is the workhorse. Its commuter trains run through Newark Penn Station, the city’s main hub, on lines including the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line — both of which also stop at Newark Liberty International Airport. NJ TRANSIT buses cover city streets and the wider region, and Newark Light Rail, a small proof-of-payment line, connects Newark Penn Station with Newark Broad Street Station.
PATH is a different animal: a 24-hour rapid-transit railroad run by the Port Authority, not NJ TRANSIT. From Newark Penn Station, PATH trains run straight to the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, with other PATH lines reaching Jersey City, Hoboken, and Midtown. It’s the fastest way into the city if you’re not headed to Penn Station in Manhattan.
How to pay
For NJ TRANSIT:
- NJ TRANSIT App (recommended) — create an account, add a card, and buy tickets for bus, rail, or light rail. Activate the ticket right before you board.
- Tap a contactless bank card or phone — works on buses and light rail only, not on commuter trains.
- Ticket vending machines at stations, or pay cash on the bus.
Rail tickets must be bought (app or machine) before boarding — buying one from the conductor adds a $5 surcharge. Light rail has no gates or conductors checking everyone: it’s proof-of-payment, so you buy a ticket, time-stamp it at the platform validator, and keep it until you’ve left the station — fare inspectors do random checks, and riding without a valid ticket risks a fine of up to $100.
For PATH, it’s simpler but separate: tap a contactless bank card, phone, or a TAPP card at the turnstile. As of September 1, 2026, PATH no longer accepts SmartLink cards or MetroCards — TAPP is the only way in.
Fares
NJ TRANSIT prices bus and rail by distance, and light rail by route:
| One-way | |
|---|---|
| Newark Light Rail | from $1.90 |
| Bus | $1.90–$59.10, by zone |
| Rail | $1.80–$23.85, by origin and destination |
Riders 62 and older, people with disabilities, and military personnel save 50% or more on any of the above. Kids 5–11 ride half price, and up to three kids 4 and under ride free with a paying adult. An on-board bus transfer costs $0.85 (North Jersey) or $0.80 (South Jersey) and is good for two hours.
PATH is a flat fare no matter how far you go:
| Fare | |
|---|---|
| Single ride | $3.25 |
| Reduced (65+, disability) | $1.60 |
| 10 / 20 / 40-trip TAPP bundle | $31 / $62 / $124 ($3.10 a ride) |
| TAPP Unlimited | $12.50 (1-day) · $42.75 (7-day) · $131.50 (30-day) |
Kids 5 and under ride PATH free.
Getting from the airport
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) sits right on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line, which makes it one of the easier major airports to reach by train.
- From your terminal, take AirTrain Newark to the Airport Train Station. It’s included in your NJ TRANSIT ticket — no separate fare.
- Board any NJ TRANSIT (or Amtrak) train toward your destination.
From there:
- To New York Penn Station (Midtown Manhattan): about 30 minutes, $17.25 — a direct ride on the Northeast Corridor, no transfer.
- To Newark Penn Station (downtown Newark) or onward to Lower Manhattan: one stop to Newark Penn, then transfer to PATH for the World Trade Center. NJ TRANSIT fare to Newark Penn is $12.30, plus PATH’s separate $3.25 — altogether about 45–55 minutes.
A handful of NJ TRANSIT buses (GO28, 37, 62, 67, and 107) also run directly to the terminals without the AirTrain, useful if you’re starting from a stop along one of those routes.
Buy your NJ TRANSIT ticket in the app before boarding to skip the $5 on-board surcharge.
Apps to download
- NJ TRANSIT Mobile App — the official app for buying, storing, and scanning every NJ TRANSIT ticket.
- RidePATH — PATH’s official app for real-time arrivals and service alerts (iPhone only).
- Transit — real-time arrivals and trip planning across both NJ TRANSIT and PATH in one place.
- Google Maps — solid for planning, with live data from both systems.
When it runs
PATH is the one true 24-hour line here: the Newark–World Trade Center train runs around the clock, every day. It’s most frequent on weekday mornings and evenings — about every 5 minutes at rush hour — and spaces out to roughly every 40 minutes overnight. The ride to the World Trade Center takes about 25 minutes.
NJ TRANSIT bus, rail, and light rail schedules vary a lot by route and station — check the NJ TRANSIT app or trip planner for exact departure times wherever you’re headed.
Accessibility
Newark Penn Station, New York Penn Station, and the Newark Liberty Airport Rail Station are all fully accessible. NJ TRANSIT buses are fully accessible, and Access Link provides door-to-door paratransit for riders who can’t use regular bus, rail, or light rail service.
Etiquette & local quirks
- Keep your light rail ticket on you. It’s proof-of-payment, not a gate system — fare inspectors check at random, and you’ll need to show a time-stamped ticket until you’ve left the station.
- The “Underground Fare” is a cheaper light rail ticket, but it’s only good between Warren St, Washington St, Military Park, and Newark Penn Station — and it isn’t valid for outbound trips from Penn Station on weekday evenings between 4 and 6pm.
- PATH and NJ TRANSIT don’t share fares or cards. A NJ TRANSIT ticket doesn’t work on PATH and vice versa — budget for both if your trip uses each.
- Buy your rail ticket before boarding. Conductors do sell tickets on board, but it costs an extra $5.
Good to know
- NJ TRANSIT Police patrol trains, buses, and stations, and riders can send tips directly through the NJ TRANSIT app.
- Reduced Fare ID now requires a photo. If you have an older, photo-less Reduced Fare ID card, NJ TRANSIT requires you to apply for a new one to keep using it.
- AirTrain Newark is mid-replacement. The Port Authority is building a new, higher-capacity system to replace the one that opened in 1996, expected to open in 2030.