The short answer: The best way to travel from EWR to JFK: the train combination — AirTrain Newark to NJ Transit, then LIRR to Jamaica and AirTrain JFK — is the most predictable at roughly 75 to 100 minutes, while a private car service is the most comfortable door-to-door choice at 45 to 75 minutes in normal traffic.
New York’s two big international airports sit on opposite sides of the metro area, about 25 to 30 miles apart as the crow flies and considerably farther by road. There is no direct train or nonstop shuttle linking them, so every option involves at least one connection. There is no single best way to travel from EWR to JFK for everyone — the right pick depends on your schedule, budget, and luggage. Here is how the realistic choices stack up.
The train route: most reliable way to get from EWR to JFK
If your connection is tight, the train is the best way to travel from EWR to JFK. Start at Newark Liberty International Airport station: ride AirTrain Newark to the rail station, catch an NJ Transit Northeast Corridor train to New York Penn Station (about 30 minutes), walk to the LIRR concourse, ride to Jamaica, and finish on AirTrain JFK to your terminal. Budget 75 to 100 minutes door to terminal, plus transfer time.
The big advantage is immunity to traffic. The Van Wyck and the New Jersey Turnpike can both seize up without warning, but the rails keep moving. A one-way NJ Transit ticket from the airport station to Penn Station typically costs in the mid-teens — confirm the current fare on NJ Transit before you travel — plus the LIRR fare to Jamaica ($5.25 off-peak, $7.25 peak) and the $8.75 AirTrain JFK fare. Buy a through ticket where offered so you are not fumbling with machines mid-transfer.
Private car service: the most comfortable EWR to JFK transfer
For groups, heavy luggage, or late-night arrivals, a private car service is the best way to travel from EWR to JFK in comfort. You get curbside pickup at EWR, a direct run across New Jersey and Queens, and drop-off at your JFK terminal — no stairs, no transfers, no hauling bags through Penn Station. In normal traffic the drive takes 45 to 75 minutes; at rush hour it can stretch past 90.
Book at least a day ahead and share both flight numbers so dispatch can track delays. Reputable NYC operators run TLC-licensed vehicles with professional chauffeurs — our guide to traveling between EWR and LGA covers what licensed inter-airport service looks like. Expect a quoted fare well above a Manhattan airport run, since you are crossing two states; ask whether the quote includes tolls and tip before you confirm. For pricing context on the Newark side, see car service Newark airport transfers.
Taxis and shared shuttles between the airports
A yellow cab will take you from EWR to JFK, but there is no flat rate for this trip — the meter runs the whole way, and the fare typically lands between $90 and $130 before tolls and tip in normal traffic. It is simple and available curbside at both airports, but it is rarely the best way to travel from EWR to JFK on a budget. If you are heading into Manhattan instead, note the typical taxi cost between NYC and Newark Airport for comparison.
Shared-ride shuttles and scheduled buses are the budget pick, usually well under $30 per person. The trade-off is time: multiple hotel and terminal stops can push the trip past two hours, and schedules thin out late at night. They make sense if your layover is long and your budget is tight.
How to choose (and how much time to allow)
When your connection is under three hours, the train is the best way to travel from EWR to JFK — it is the only option with a dependable timetable. Pick a private car when you have bags, kids, or a late arrival, and book it ahead. Pick a taxi when you want curbside simplicity and are willing to pay meter rates. Whatever you choose, allow at least three hours between a scheduled EWR arrival and a JFK departure: deplaning, baggage claim, the transfer itself, and JFK security each eat into the buffer. For the last leg into Queens, our best way to get to JFK from NYC guide covers the Manhattan-to-JFK options in detail.
How long does it take to get from EWR to JFK?
By train via Manhattan, allow 75 to 100 minutes. By car or taxi, 45 to 75 minutes in normal traffic u2014 longer at rush hour. Shared shuttles can take two hours or more with multiple stops.
Is there a direct train from EWR to JFK?
No. You must connect through Manhattan: AirTrain Newark to NJ Transit, NJ Transit to Penn Station, LIRR to Jamaica, then AirTrain JFK to your terminal.
How much does a taxi cost from EWR to JFK?
There is no flat rate. The metered fare typically lands between $90 and $130 before tolls and tip in normal traffic.
Should I book a car service between the airports?
For groups, heavy luggage, or tight schedules, yes u2014 book at least a day ahead, share both flight numbers, and confirm whether the quote includes tolls and tip.
How much time should I allow between flights at different airports?
At least three hours between a scheduled EWR arrival and a JFK departure, covering deplaning, baggage claim, the transfer, and JFK security.
