Car Rental at Newark Airport

Airport travel guide

Situated just across the river from Manhattan, Newark is more than just the location of one of the three international airports serving New York City. Despite its industrial roots and rough reputation, there are a number of places to enjoy in Newark itself and the surrounding towns of New Jersey. Here are three suggestions:

• The Newark Museum of Art. Previously known simply as the Newark Museum, this is perhaps Newark’s most notable cultural institution. In addition to various exhibitions of American, Japanese, and Tibetan art (which includes an altar consecrated by the Dalai Lama), and a sculpture garden, the museum is also home to the Dreyfuss Planetarium, a hall of science, and a memorial garden. Visit the museum’s official website to learn more. 
• New Jersey Historical Society. Also in Newark is the New Jersey Historical Society, an institution dedicated to preserving the important heritage and culture of the Garden State. The society dates back to 1845 and has been in its present downtown location, listed on the national register of historic buildings, since the 1990s. In addition to its two exhibition floors, the society also organizes walking tours of Newark. Visit its official website to learn more. 
• Montclair. Green, well-off, and sophisticated, Montclair, located about a 20-minute drive northwest of Newark,  is the other notable settlement of Essex County. The town is known for its many historical mansions, most of which can be found in Upper Montclair, as well as cultural institutions like the Montclair Art Museum (or MAM), Watchung bookshop, Wellmont Theater, and Montclair Operetta Company. Fans of The Sopranos will also recognize many real-life streets and locations featured in the series.

Top international routes

• London-Heathrow, United Kingdom
• Montreal, Canada
• Ottawa, Canada
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion, Israel
• Toronto-Pearson, Canada
• Toronto-Billy Bishop, Canada
• Cancun, Mexico
• Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Santiago, Dominican Republic

Main airlines

Newark is a major hub for United Airlines which, along with its United Express, serves a number of destinations from the airport out of Terminal C. In fact, United carries more than 30 million passengers a year to and from Newark. JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, and Alaska airlines also serve more than one million passengers each year at Newark Liberty. As Newark is also the second international gateway for New York City, foreign airlines such as Air Canada, SAS, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air India also provide service to and from the airport.

Terminals

The airport has three terminals. International flights arrive at Terminal B, though they may depart from any of the terminals. Terminal C is used exclusively by United Airlines. The AirTrain is free and connects the terminals along with the parking lots and the nearby train station. Note that interterminal transfer requires going through security again.

Location

Newark Liberty is located roughly 4 miles (6km) south of Downtown Newark, New Jersey. Though located in New Jersey, it takes roughly the same amount of time to reach Manhattan as it would from JFK International Airport. As the airport is located at the interchange of I-78 and I-95 (the New Jersey Turnpike) it is easy to reach Manhattan. I-78 is the best route to use to reach the Holland Tunnel and Downtown. I-95 is better to reach the Lincoln Tunnel for Midtown or the George Washington Bridge for Harlem and the Bronx. Be prepared to pay a toll no matter which route into Manhattan you choose. The traffic along the route is notoriously bad and it may take an hour to make the 18-mile drive.

The central and southern parts of New Jersey along with Philadelphia can easily be reached by heading south on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Most popular types of rental car

• Large cars - from $47 per day
• Small cars - from $69 per day
• Medium cars - from $46 per day
• SUVs - from $71 per day
• Premium cars - from $79 per day
• Vans - from $93 per day
• Convertibles - from $159 per day

Car rental desks

All car rental desks at the airport are located outside the terminals and require taking the AirTrain to reach. Avis, Enterprise, Hertz and National are located near the P3 station and Alamo, Dollar, and Budget, and Advantage (where Europcar’s customers can pick up their cars) are located near the P2 station.

Services and facilities

Newark Liberty has all of the services and facilities one would expect of a major international airport.

There are multiple currency exchanges in all terminals. Though, as usual, it is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport. Many ATMs are located throughout the terminal and your back will usually give you a better exchange rate than the currency exchanges.

There is a Marriott hotel located at the airport, though it isn’t connected to the AirTrain and you have to take a shuttle to reach it. Many others are located just outside the airport, almost all of which offer free shuttles to and from the airport.

All of the terminals have lounges of the airlines which serve them. You can pay for entrance to many of them even if flying economy class. There will also be a Centurion Lounge, accessible for American Express cardholders, near Terminal A (estimated to open in August 2023).

Every terminal has a large selection of dining and shopping options. The dining options range from fast-food chains to sit-down restaurants. Duty-Free shopping is available in every terminal that has international flights.

Nearest gas station

The most convenient gas station for those looking to fill up before returning a rental car in is an Exxon station that is located at the airport on Lindbergh Road, right next to the car rental drop off points. Given its location, it’s no surprise that prices at this station are significantly higher than the average in the rest of the city. The station may be useful for those with almost full tanks seeking to just top up.

Alternatively, a cluster of gas stations can be found just south of the airport on Highway 9 called Spring Street (which requires a little out of the way circle coming from almost any direction). There are Speedway, Delta, and Wawa stations. There is also a Shell station that has significantly higher prices.

Keep in mind that in New Jersey by law, you are not allowed to pump your own gas. All gas stations are full-service, so wait for an attendant to come pump for you.