How can I travel from Manhattan to Newark by bus? Head to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue and catch an NJ Transit bus — routes 107 and 108 run to Newark, and the 107 serves the airport terminals A, B, and C. It is the cheapest direct option.
How Can I Travel From Manhattan to Newark by Bus? Your Options
The workhorse is NJ Transit’s 107, which runs from Port Authority through Newark with some trips routed via the airport terminals A, B, and C — check the destination sign and pick a “Via Term A-B-C” departure if you are airport-bound. The 108 also connects Port Authority with Newark via a slightly different corridor. Both are regular NJ Transit local buses: buy your ticket in the NJ Transit app or at a vending machine before boarding, since onboard purchases are not always available.
The dedicated Newark Airport Express bus also departs from Port Authority, running nonstop-style service to the airport terminals — faster than the local 107 when traffic cooperates, and built for travelers with luggage. If you are headed to downtown Newark rather than the airport, the 107 and 108 drop you within walking distance of Newark Penn Station and the downtown core. Double-check which option answers how can i travel from manhattan to newark by bus at your hour — the local 107 runs latest.
Catching the Bus at Port Authority
Port Authority Bus Terminal sits at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue — reachable on the A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, and S subway lines, so getting there is the easy part. NJ Transit buses depart from gates on the terminal’s upper levels; follow the signs for your route number and check the departure boards, since gate assignments shift. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure — these buses leave on schedule and will not wait.
Late-night travelers should know the 107 runs very late (some trips run past midnight), which makes it one of the few budget options after the trains thin out. But schedules vary by day of the week, so verify your return trip in the NJ Transit app before you leave Manhattan — especially on Sundays and holidays.
If you are traveling with a bike, note that NJ Transit buses have limited bike capacity — generally two bikes per bus on a first-come basis — so have a backup plan during rush hours. Strollers must be folded, and large luggage should go in the under-floor compartments where available. Drivers can refuse boarding if the bus is at capacity, which happens on Friday afternoons; an earlier departure is cheap insurance.
If the departure board confuses you, look for the printed NJ Transit timetables near the gates — or just ask any uniformed NJ Transit employee. The 107 to Newark is one of the most-asked routes, and they’ll point you to the right gate in seconds.
Bus vs. Train vs. Private Car to Newark
Here is the honest comparison. The bus is cheapest — a few dollars each way — but slowest, typically 45 to 75 minutes depending on Lincoln Tunnel traffic. NJ Transit trains from Penn Station to Newark Penn Station (or the airport rail station via AirTrain) cost more but run 25 to 35 minutes and ignore traffic entirely. A taxi or pre-booked private car runs 30 to 60 minutes and wins on comfort and luggage space, especially for groups.
For a solo traveler with a backpack, the bus is hard to argue with. For a family of four with suitcases heading to EWR, compare the total: four bus or train fares plus the hassle often approaches the price of one fixed-rate car service. Anyone still asking how can I travel from Manhattan to Newark by bus with lots of luggage should know the local buses have limited luggage space — the Airport Express is the better bus pick in that case.
