Newark Liberty (EWR) is one of the busiest airports in the country and one of the most awkward to park at, because its terminals are spread out and the on-airport garages are expensive. It is also the only New York-area airport with a direct rail connection to the terminal, which changes the calculation significantly.
The short answer
Newark's on-airport garages sit directly at the terminals and cost the most. The economy lots are cheaper and served by shuttle. Off-airport lots along the Routes 1&9 corridor are usually the cheapest option. But before choosing any of them: EWR has a train — the AirTrain connects every terminal to NJ Transit and Amtrak, and for many trips that beats parking entirely.
The parking options
On-airport garages
Newark has daily and short-term garages directly adjacent to the terminals, connected by the AirTrain. These are the most convenient option and priced accordingly — this is the most expensive way to park at EWR.
They fill early on busy travel days. If you are travelling on a peak weekend and planning to drive up without a reservation, you may find the garages full by mid-morning.
Economy lots
Further from the terminals, served by shuttle, and significantly cheaper than the garages. The trade is a shuttle leg added to both ends of your trip.
Off-airport lots
The largest cluster of private off-airport parking serves EWR from the Routes 1&9 corridor south of the airport, plus some lots along the approach roads. These are usually the cheapest option, with frequent shuttles to all terminals.
Quality varies considerably between operators. Shuttle frequency and reliability are the main differentiators, and both are worth checking in recent reviews rather than taking on trust.
Hotel park-and-fly
There is a large concentration of airport hotels around EWR, and many offer park-and-fly packages. For a trip of a week or more, this is frequently the best value — and it removes the pre-dawn drive.
The alternative that beats parking: the AirTrain
This is the most important thing on this page. Newark is the only New York-area airport with a rail connection that reaches the terminal.
- AirTrain runs between all terminals, the parking garages and the Newark Liberty International Airport station, where you transfer to NJ Transit or Amtrak.
- NJ Transit connects to Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station, with connections across the region.
- Amtrak stops there too, which makes EWR unusually accessible from further afield — Philadelphia, Washington and beyond.
The practical upshot: if you live anywhere on the NJ Transit or Amtrak network, the train is often cheaper than a week of parking and avoids the drive entirely. For a family of four travelling for a week, the comparison is not close.
Note the AirTrain itself is free between terminals but charges a fee when you enter or leave via the rail station. Check the current arrangement, since it has changed.
How to choose
- Price the train first. If NJ Transit or Amtrak reaches your origin, compare that against the full cost of parking. It frequently wins outright.
- If driving, decide garage versus economy versus off-airport. The garage is for short trips and tight schedules; off-airport is for cost.
- Check the shuttle hours if you land late. Not every off-airport lot runs 24 hours.
- Consider a park-and-fly hotel for trips over a week, especially with an early departure.
- Reserve. EWR garages fill, and the online rate at off-airport lots is usually below the gate rate.
- Allow for traffic. The approach to EWR backs up badly at peak times. Build in more time than the distance suggests.
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What to watch for at Newark specifically
- The AirTrain fee on rail entry. The intra-airport AirTrain is free, but passing through the rail station carries a charge. It does not change the maths in most cases, but it is not zero.
- Terminal spread. The terminals are not walkable from one another — the AirTrain is the way between them. If you park in a garage serving a different terminal from your flight, you will be using it.
- Routes 1&9 traffic. The off-airport lots are close in distance but the corridor is congested. Shuttle times are longer at peak than the map suggests.
- Peak weekends. Thanksgiving, Christmas and summer Fridays are the days garages fill. On those, a reservation is close to essential.
- Height restrictions. Standard garage clearance applies — check before assuming a van or roof box fits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I park at Newark Airport?
Options are the on-airport daily garages adjacent to the terminals, the economy lots served by shuttle, off-airport private lots along the Routes 1&9 corridor, and park-and-fly hotel packages. The garages are most convenient and most expensive; off-airport is cheapest.
Is there cheaper parking near Newark Airport?
Yes. Off-airport lots along the Routes 1&9 corridor are typically the cheapest option, and hotel park-and-fly packages often beat them for longer trips. Both are well below the on-airport garage rates.
Can I take the train to Newark Airport instead of parking?
Yes, and it frequently beats parking on cost. The AirTrain connects all terminals to the Newark Liberty International Airport station, where you can transfer to NJ Transit or Amtrak. EWR is the only New York-area airport with a direct rail connection to the terminal.
How does the AirTrain work at Newark?
It runs between all terminals, the parking garages and the rail station. Travel between the terminals and garages is free; entering or leaving via the rail station carries a fee. It is the only practical way to move between terminals, which are not walkable.
How far in advance should I book Newark airport parking?
Two to three weeks ahead is sensible, and longer for peak travel weekends when the on-airport garages fill by mid-morning. Booking ahead also locks a lower rate — the gate price at many lots is higher than the online price.
Do Newark airport hotels offer parking packages?
Many do. Park-and-fly packages usually include one night's accommodation and parking for the duration of your trip, and for stays of a week or more they frequently come in below an economy lot — with the added benefit of avoiding an early drive.
Is Newark airport parking safe?
The airport-operated garages and economy lots are well lit and patrolled. Off-airport lots vary by operator — check recent reviews specifically for security and shuttle reliability before booking one you have not used.
Should I park at Newark or take a rideshare?
For trips of roughly four days or fewer, a rideshare each way often costs less than parking. Beyond about five to seven days, parking usually wins. The train beats both if you are on the NJ Transit or Amtrak network.
Weighing the train against parking — or a park-and-fly package against an off-airport lot — depends on your trip length, party size and where you are starting from. If you would rather have it worked through, our agents can run the comparison with you in one call.
Independent flight booking assistance service. Not affiliated with any airline. This is a toll-free number, free to call from anywhere in the US. Learn more