In this post Show
Advertiser and Editorial Disclosure
If you’re planning on using public transportation to get to or from Newark, you’ll want to pay close attention to some important AirTrain changes.
One of the key milestones of Newark’s massive redevelopment project is the full replacement of the airport’s aging AirTrain system.
But to do that, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), needs to make significant modifications to the existing AirTrain.
Here’s what’s changing, and why taking Amtrak or NJ Transit to Newark won’t be a fun experience over the next few years.
Related: 5 overdue fixes the Port Authority should make at NYC’s biggest airports
AirTrain Newark partial outage
The existing AirTrain will be out of service on weekdays between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a portion of the route.
Specifically, trains will not operate between the airport train station and the P4 station during these hours.
The partial shutdown is expected to take place during the following windows:
- Jan. 15 to May 22
- Sept. 8 to Oct. 30
No closures will be permitted during peak travel periods, which the Port Authority defines as:
- Summer travel season (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Winter holiday period (Oct. 30 through Jan. 15, 2027)
Outside of these weekday daytime outages, the AirTrain will operate normally and make all regularly scheduled stops.
AirTrain Newark bus alternative
During the weekday shutdown periods, the Port Authority will operate a bus network to replace the affected AirTrain segment.
For departing passengers, buses will stop at the following stations in this order.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Get the front-row look at the evolving world of travel, loyalty, tech and lifestyle — delivered directly to your inbox.
- Airport train station
- Terminal B
- Terminal C
- Terminal A rental cars
- Terminal A departures
For arriving passengers, buses will stop at the following stations.
- Terminal A arrivals
- P4 station
- Airport train station
Note that all arriving passengers are being directed to take the AirTrain to P4 in order to catch the bus to the train station.
The Port Authority expects to operate between six and 12 buses, depending on demand, with service every four to five minutes. The agency estimates that it’ll carry just under 6,000 passengers a day in both directions.
AirTrain Newark operations during construction
No matter when you’re traveling, the AirTrain will continue to operate normally between Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and P4.
The only constrained segment is the stretch between the airport train station and P4, which is why travelers arriving by train will feel the biggest impact.
If you’re taking Amtrak or NJ Transit to Newark, expect additional travel time and less seamless connections. The Port Authority is advising travelers to budget up to an hour of additional transit time.
What the new AirTrain will look like
Construction on the replacement AirTrain is already underway. The project began in 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2030, at a cost of approximately $3.5 billion.
The new AirTrain will operate on an entirely new route within the airport. There will be three stations: one for Terminal A, one for Terminal B, and another for Terminal C — all at different locations from the existing AirTrain.
The new AirTrain will share the same corridor between the airport train station and the terminal area, which is why these temporary service disruptions are necessary during construction.
As we’ve seen at other New York-area airports, this is a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.
That said, I’m personally grateful I no longer live in Philadelphia and rely on Amtrak to get to Newark. With these outages in place, that trip is about to get a lot less seamless.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Get the front-row look at the evolving world of travel, loyalty, tech and lifestyle — delivered directly to your inbox.
