Ok my American friends, advice needed on Newark Airport

[mergatroid]

Hi there, I wonder if anyone has any advice or suggestions. My wife and I fly to Orlando in October from England via Newark. When originally booked 5 months ago there was a 3 hour wait in Newark between flights. We've had an email informing us that the internal flight has changed and we now have a 6 hour wait from landing in Newark and taking off for Orlando . We land at 12.15 (local time) and depart at 18.20 (local time) and I'm wondering taking into account time lost at immigration and security etc, what to do to kill time? Is the airport big and comfortable, should we go into town locally for a meal or movie or have we enough time to pop into New York?

Any help is appreciated, I don't fancy flying for 7 hours and then just sitting there for 6 and waiting :shrug:

 

[DrummerAlly]

Personally, If you can't change that second flight, I would just meander around the airport and have a decent meal there. The airport is quite big with some good shopping and dining, but its nothing special. I say this because I'm not a huge fan of New York City, but I am definitely in the minority.

I would NOT go into Newark. There's nothing around the airport except an IKEA (furniture store). The city of Newark is one to be avoided at all costs.

If you're feeling adventurous and don't have carry on luggage, you could hop on the NJTransit trains for a brief trip to NYC. The trains leave the airport and will drop you right in the center of NYC. The train ride from Newark to NYC is no longer than 20 minutes. Knowing the area well, I wouldn't hesitate to do it especially if you've never seen NYC. I'm not sure if the headache of going back through security is worth seeing NYC for you. :wave:

Edit:
If you do take the NJTransit train from Newark airport to NYC, be sure you buy your ticket carefully. There are two Penn Stations - one in Newark, one stop away from the airport, (No! No! No!) and one in New York City, two stops from the airport. Make sure you buy the right ticket and exit at the right station.

 

[mergatroid]

Personally, If you can't change that second flight, I would just meander around the airport and have a decent meal there. The airport is quite big with some good shopping and dining, but its nothing special. I say this because I'm not a huge fan of New York City, but I am definitely in the minority.

I would NOT go into Newark. There's nothing around the airport except an IKEA (furniture store). The city of Newark is one to be avoided at all costs.

If you're feeling adventurous and don't have carry on luggage, you could hop on the NJTransit trains for a brief trip to NYC. The trains leave the airport and will drop you right in the center of NYC. The train ride from Newark to NYC is no longer than 20 minutes. Knowing the area well, I wouldn't hesitate to do it especially if you've never seen NYC. I'm not sure if the headache of going back through security is worth seeing NYC for you. :wave:

Edit:
If you do take the NJTransit train from Newark airport to NYC, be sure you buy your ticket carefully. There are two Penn Stations - one in Newark, one stop away from the airport, (No! No! No!) and one in New York City, two stops from the airport. Make sure you buy the right ticket and exit at the right station.

Thanks for replying and the advice. For the first time ever I'm hoping for a few hours delayed flight from England. :wave:

 

[Zummi Gummi]

There are some decent restaurants at EWR, and it's a fairly comfortable airport, but it's not, like, the best airport ever.

Personally, I don't think you have a lot of time for a visit to NY. Realistically, when you factor in travel time and all the time it takes to go through security, you're looking at maybe a couple of hours.

If you wanted to leave the airport and do a bit of shopping, the Jersey Gardens mall (a couple of miles away) is an option. A cab (go downstairs to ground transportation) can take you there for a few bucks. It's a HUGE outlet mall, and there are always great bargains to be had.

 

[tigsmom]

Under no circumstances should you leave the airport and head into Newark as it's too dangerous, it is not one our our best cities . It's a very short ride into NYC via NJT (New Jersey Transit) and you would get a few hours free time.
There is shopping and restaurants in the airport, but it does get boring.

 

[Crush Dude!]

Hi there, I wonder if anyone has any advice or suggestions. My wife and I fly to Orlando in October from England via Newark. When originally booked 5 months ago there was a 3 hour wait in Newark between flights. We've had an email informing us that the internal flight has changed and we now have a 6 hour wait from landing in Newark and taking off for Orlando . We land at 12.15 (local time) and depart at 18.20 (local time) and I'm wondering taking into account time lost at immigration and security etc, what to do to kill time? Is the airport big and comfortable, should we go into town locally for a meal or movie or have we enough time to pop into New York?

Any help is appreciated, I don't fancy flying for 7 hours and then just sitting there for 6 and waiting :shrug:

Quick question, why didnt you fly direct???

 

[mergatroid]

There are some decent restaurants at EWR, and it's a fairly comfortable airport, but it's not, like, the best airport ever.

Personally, I don't think you have a lot of time for a visit to NY. Realistically, when you factor in travel time and all the time it takes to go through security, you're looking at maybe a couple of hours.

If you wanted to leave the airport and do a bit of shopping, the Jersey Gardens mall (a couple of miles away) is an option. A cab (go downstairs to ground transportation) can take you there for a few bucks. It's a HUGE outlet mall, and there are always great bargains to be had.

Thanks

Under no circumstances should you leave the airport and head into Newark as it's too dangerous, it is not one our our best cities . It's a very short ride into NYC via NJT (New Jersey Transit) and you would get a few hours free time.
There is shopping and restaurants in the airport, but it does get boring.

Second person to say that in this thread . Was 'The Sopranos' based on Newark?

Quick question, why didnt you fly direct???

Money, the difference in prices equals the price of two annual passes. Couldn't turn that down really.

 

[Alexx]

Two annual passes? That's $1000 pretty much? so like £600? who do you fly with?! We only paid a bit more than £600 for 3 adults to fly direct.

 

[mergatroid]

Two annual passes? That's $1000 pretty much? so like £600? who do you fly with?! We only paid a bit more than £600 for 3 adults to fly direct.

Would love to know where you got direct flights from Manchester to Orlando for £200 direct each from . We are flying with Continental Airlines and it was £800 for 2 return tickets. The cheapest direct flight on the dates we could travel was over £1,450 for 2 and has since gone up. We have a house in Florida so if your trip includes accommodation and car then it probably wouldn't suit us. There was only a certain window in October we could go for and because of work we had to book 5 months or so in advance. Would like to know the details of your trip if possible for the future please :shrug:

 

[Alexx]

Would love to know where you got direct flights from Manchester to Orlando for £200 direct each from . We are flying with Continental Airlines and it was £800 for 2 return tickets. The cheapest direct flight on the dates we could travel was over £1,450 for 2 and has since gone up. We have a house in Florida so if your trip includes accommodation and car then it probably wouldn't suit us. There was only a certain window in October we could go for and because of work we had to book 5 months or so in advance. Would like to know the details of your trip if possible for the future please :shrug:

Oh Manchester, we're flying from gatwick, and they were about £300 each (I miscalculated:hammer And we book everything seperately, we don't like package holidays much too expensive.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

I have the same situation in reverse. DD & I are flying to the UK on the 5th. Pittsburgh, Newark then Glasgow. Have a 7 hour layover in Newark, but I took that as opposed to a stop in London. Still arriving in Scotland in the same time frame. I'll just pack a couple good books and hope for a comfortable chair in the airport. I've never seen NYC either, but I'm not going through the hassle of leaving the airport and doing security again.

BTW, our round trip tickets were $1000 each - don't know what transfers into in pounds.

 

[Magical Dreamer]

I too would stay put in the airport.....I've often heard of travelers at Newark being robbery targets just outside the airport.

Much better safe tan sorry.

 

[DrummerAlly]

Second person to say that in this thread . Was 'The Sopranos' based on Newark?

I'm pretty sure The Sopranos was based in Newark. Newark is the all of the gang violence of New York City, without the tourist attractions and the wonderful NYPD.

....Proud to live in New Jersey......

 

[LuLaSue]

Please do NOT go into Newark! We fly out of Newark regularly the airport is nice enough, nothing special but, you can certainly get a decent meal. I don't think you will have enough time to go into NYC...to stressful to keep watching the clock...

Have a safe trip and hope you have a blast!

 

[mergatroid]

Well thanks for all the advice from each of you. Newark is definately off the cards for a visit after the warnings . Looks like a leisurely meal at the airport and a sleep on a chair is the plan though it's going to be a long day.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I'm pretty sure The Sopranos was based in Newark. Newark is the all of the gang violence of New York City, without the tourist attractions and the wonderful NYPD.

....Proud to live in New Jersey......

The Sopranos was set in the suburban town of Caldwell, NJ. You can still drive by the house that was used for the exterior shots of Tony's house. The show was about the Italian mafia, who don't operate out of Newark.

 

[MickeyMind]

As a fellow new jerseyan ( born and raised, lived about 15 minutes north of newark airport by the hudson river) I can honestly tell you:

stay in the airport!

Newark isnt all bad. but the majority is horrible! And you dont have enough time to go to nyc and come back with security/baggage etc. I mean theoretically it can be done. But It would just be too much of a hassle to try and do so.


Its only 6 hours, really that can be killed fairly easily, they have restaurants there, and a couple of stores. Go eat, Bring enough hand-held entertainment and those 6 hours will fly right by.

 

[Jobe422]

Im from NYC and I just got back from Orlando Tuesday via Newark. I have flown out of Newark many times, but I don't recommend leaving the airport to go to the City. Newark is like a city basically, and it has its "rush hour" times. You would prob. be stuck at security and it wont be nice. Also take into consideration, that majority of the flights at Newark are always delayed. My flight down to Orlando was delayed 4 hours and it wasn't even weather problems. It is also a very cramped airport. There aren't a lot of nice places to eat. Newark is more of a business/on-the-go airport, other then orlando where is is spacious and and more family oriented. I would seriously look over your pro's and con's and think about flying direct or flying into another airport.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi there, I agree with almost everyone on this thread. I wouldnt chance trying to come into NYC for the 6 hours which would probably be more like 2 to 3 by the time you factor in security & Customs etc. Newark isnt the best area in NJ either as many have said. Jersey Gardens has some great stores, but the clientele again isnt the best. I much prefer some of the other outlet malls in NJ and Florida over this one. There are several food courts in the airport as well as a few sit down restaurants. I'd just wait it out. Best of luck and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!! Marie

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Hi there, I agree with almost everyone on this thread. I wouldnt chance trying to come into NYC for the 6 hours which would probably be more like 2 to 3 by the time you factor in security & Customs etc. Newark isnt the best area in NJ either as many have said. Jersey Gardens has some great stores, but the clientele again isnt the best. I much prefer some of the other outlet malls in NJ and Florida over this one. There are several food courts in the airport as well as a few sit down restaurants. I'd just wait it out. Best of luck and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!! Marie

There's nothing wrong with the clientele at the Jersey Gardens mall.