One of three major airports serving the New York City area, EWR currently serves more than 30 airlines.

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling Through Newark Airport

New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which first opened its doors way back on October 1, 1928, is located just 15 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan. One of three major airports serving the NY metro area, EWR currently serves more than 30 airlines.

EWR lays claim to many aviation firsts, including the first paved runway, the first air traffic control tower in the United States, the first airport weather station and the first airport post office.

Today, EWR handles more than 42 million domestic and international passengers a year and, like New York’s LaGuardia Airport and JFK International Airport, is undergoing major redevelopment and upgrades. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling through Newark Liberty International Airport.

EWR Terminals

Newark Liberty International has three standalone terminals: A, B, and C.

Passengers can travel between terminals, parking lots, hotel shuttles and rental car facilities on the AirTrain monorail, which operates 24-hours a day and is free to ride within the airport.

Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest are among the airlines that operate out of Terminal A. Allegiant Air, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Spirit, and several international airlines fly from Terminal B.

United Airlines occupies all of Terminal C, with some flights operating out of Terminal A (United Express) and Terminal B as well.

Terminal A, EWR’s oldest terminal, is scheduled to be replaced by the three-concourse, 33-gate Terminal One beginning in 2021.

Image zoom David Moore/Alamy

Amenities and Services at Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport provides free Wi-Fi and free charging stations throughout the terminals. Nursing suites and pet relief areas are available in each terminal. The AtYourGate in-airport order and delivery app allows passengers to have meals delivered anywhere in Terminals A and B (including post-security) and to the pre-security area of Terminal C.

Newark Airport Terminal A

Dining in Newark Liberty Airport Terminal A

Dining options in Newark Airport Terminal A include a pre-security food court with Cheeburger Cheeburger, Jamba Juice, Jersey Mike’s, Manchu Wok and Qdoba Grill. Travelers can also find Currito Cantina and Tony Roma’s pre-security.

Post-security in Terminal A, the A1 Rotunda has Ben & Jerry’s and Boar’s Head (deli); the A2 Rotunda options include Earl of Sandwich and Villa Pizza, and the A3 Rotunda outlets include Java Moon Express and Philips Seafood.

Shopping in Newark Liberty Airport Terminal A

Pre-security retail in Terminal A includes America! (with some New Jersey-themed souvenirs), Creative Kid Stuff, Hudson Booksellers, Touch of Color (clothing, accessories) and duty-free shops. Post-security, there are newsstands and an InMotion Entertainment (Rotunda 1). SouveNEAR vending machines filled with hand-made gifts and art by New Jersey artists live in both pre and post-security areas.

Image zoom Bruce Yuanyue Bi/Getty Images

Newark Liberty Airport Terminal B

Dining in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport

Pre-security food court options in Terminal B include the full-service Currito’s Burritos, Famous Famiglia, Subway and Wendy’s. Additional pre-security options include the Belgian Beer Café, the City Point Bar and the Garden State Diner (near the entrance to the B3 concourse).

Post-security, Champp’s American and Sora Sushi are in the B1 Rotunda; Sandella’s Flatbread Grill and The Unusual Times pub are in B2; and Vino Volo, Mediterranean Bistro and McGinley’s Irish Pub are in B3.

Shopping in Terminal B

Pre-security, there are newsstands, a Duty-Free shop (Near B3 entrance), and America! (gifts). Post-security options include Duty-Free shops, newsstands, and a Lick candy stand in B3.

Newark Liberty Airport Terminal C

The remodeled Terminal C at Newark Liberty Airport is as much a dining and shopping destination as it is airport passenger terminal.

Image zoom David Moore/Alamy

Dining in Newark Liberty Airport Terminal C

There are dozens of great choices for grab and go, fast casual, sit-down dining, and cocktails in United Airlines’ three-concourse, 68-gate Terminal C. This guide includes some highlights, but we suggest a walk-through to consider all the options.

Check-out is self-serve in the pre and post-security CIBO Express Gourmet Markets and in the central Global Bazaar. In restaurants and gate lounges, orders are taken via iPad and delivered by a server. Insider tip: Guests who scan their United Airlines boarding pass sometimes receive special offers or vouchers. And anyone who pays with a Chase United Mileage Plus credit cards gets 20 percent off their bills in the iPad-enhanced full-service Terminal C restaurants.

Fast-Casual/Grab and Go

In the Global Bazaar food hall (Gates 70-99) the Melange Bakery Café bakes croissants, bagels, muffins, and other fresh treats on-site, around the clock; Kaedama noodle bar serves ramen, soups, and dumplings with fresh-pulled noodles; and Tsukiji Fishroom serves up well-priced fresh sushi, nigiri, and poke bowls with fish flown in daily from Tokyo.

And, no, it’s not the jet-lag: many venues in the food hall change their names, their overhead signage and their menus mid-day.

Sit-down Dining

Best bets for sit-down dining on C1 (Gates 70-99) are Abruzzo Italian Steakhouse, Surf (seafood rolls, fresh sushi, fried clams), Wanderlust Burger and Daily, which has a farm-to-terminal menu that does indeed change daily.

On C2 (Gates 101-115), Vanguard Kitchen (seafood, roasted meats), Happy Clam, and Little Purse Dumpling Den are enticing; while on C3 (Gates 120-129) you’ll find Nonna’s Meatball Kitchen, Forno Magico (Neapolitan pizza) and the feels-like-you’re-in France bistro, Saison.

Tucked behind Saison is United Airlines’ invitation-only restaurant called Classified. If you get an invite, go.

Bars

Oeneo Wine Bar (C1) has more than 60 world-class wines by the glass and the bottle. Proof Whiskey Bar (C2) carries more than 150 types of whiskeys. Caps Beer Garden (C3) stocks almost 50 different domestic and international brews. And there are more than 200 different tequilas at Tacquila (C3).

Shopping and Amenities at Newark Liberty Terminal C

The eco-friendly D_parture Spa (C1; Gate 92) offers manicures and pedicures, chair and foot massages, shampoo and haircuts, facials and facial waxing.

CIBO Express Gourmet Markets (all concourses) stock unique gifts and gourmet food items. Other shopping options include Coach, Johnston & Murphy, L’Occitane, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Miles Shop, where passengers can trade United Airlines frequent flyer miles for electronics, toys and other items or earn bonus points for dollars spent.

Newark Airport Club Lounges

United Airlines has multiple lounges at EWR. In addition to the United Club in Terminal A, there’s a Polaris lounge in Terminal C with rainfall shower suites, workspaces, day beds, and a table-service dining area. There’s also a full-service United Club by Gate C74 and pop-up lounges by Gates C93 and124.

Getting to and from Newark Airport, Car Rentals, and Parking

Travel is possible between EWR and Newark or Manhattan by taxi, van, car, or ride-hailing services or on an express bus. A less expensive option is to hop on AirTrain Newark, which connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak stations.

Travelers can reach EWR on-airport car rental companies via the AirTrain (Station P2 or P3, depending on which the company).

Parking at EWR ranges from $18 a day (economy lots) to $39 a day in the short-term lots.

Newark Airport Hotels