How to Get from Brooklyn to Newark Airport

Getting to EWR from Brooklyn takes 35 minutes in ideal conditions and over 90 minutes on a Friday afternoon. The route, the time of day, and the mode of transport each affect the outcome. This guide covers every option for the trip from Brooklyn to Newark: driving routes, public transit, rideshare, and pre-booked car. Includes real times by neighborhood and a note on the 2026 AirTrain disruption that adds 15 to 30 minutes to the transit option.

How to Get from Brooklyn to Newark Airport: Your Options at a Glance

Four main options exist for getting to EWR from Brooklyn. Here is how they compare before the full breakdown.

Times reflect central Brooklyn origins. Bay Ridge runs 5–10 min faster; Greenpoint runs 15–20 min slower. See neighborhood breakdown below.

Each mode has a specific use case. Driving is fastest if you know the route and leave at the right time, though parking costs make this less attractive for trips over a few days (see our Newark Airport parking vs car service comparison for the multi-day math). Pre-booked car removes the logistics entirely. Rideshare is flexible but inconsistent on the Newark run. NJ Transit is cheapest but takes nearly twice as long and gets complicated with luggage.

Driving Routes: Belt Parkway vs Battery Tunnel

Two main driving corridors connect Brooklyn to EWR. Which one you use depends on where in Brooklyn you are starting. For the full routing decision by neighborhood, see our Battery Tunnel vs Belt Parkway route guide.

Route 1: Belt Parkway and Verrazzano Bridge (South Brooklyn)

This is the standard route for most of Brooklyn. From Atlantic Avenue or south, take the Belt Parkway west to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, cross into Staten Island on I-278, continue to the Goethals Bridge into New Jersey, then take the NJ Turnpike Extension to Exit 13A for EWR.

Distance from central Brooklyn (Flatbush): 31 miles. Normal conditions: 40 to 50 minutes.

Tolls: Verrazzano Bridge: $19.00 E-ZPass / $22.00 cash. Goethals Bridge: $16.00 E-ZPass, cashless only. NJ Turnpike Extension (Goethals to EWR): approximately $2.20. Total: $37 to $40 one way.

When the Goethals backs up (common between 4 and 7 PM on weekdays), the Bayonne Bridge (Route 440 North off I-278, then Route 1&9 South) is the best alternate. It adds one mile but avoids the worst of the Goethals congestion.

Route 2: Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and Holland Tunnel (North Brooklyn)

For pickups in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, DUMBO, and Brooklyn Heights, the Battery Tunnel (I-478) through lower Manhattan and then the Holland Tunnel (I-78 West) into New Jersey is sometimes faster than running down to the Verrazzano. From the Holland Tunnel, take the NJ Turnpike North to Exit 14 and follow signs to EWR via Route 1&9 South.

This route avoids the Belt Parkway entirely but trades one bottleneck for another: Holland Tunnel traffic between 7 and 9 AM and 4 and 7 PM can be worse than the Verrazzano approach. Use it on weekends and off-peak weekdays from North Brooklyn only.

Tolls: Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel: $9.75 E-ZPass. Holland Tunnel: $17.00 E-ZPass. NJ Turnpike (Exit 14 to EWR): approximately $3.00. Total: $30 to $33 one way.

Which Route Is Faster?

Belt Parkway/Verrazzano is faster for Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Carroll Gardens, Bed-Stuy, and Sunset Park (the majority of Brooklyn by area and population. The Battery Tunnel route is competitive only for Williamsburg, Greenpoint, DUMBO, and Brooklyn Heights, and only outside peak hours). On Friday afternoons, both routes are slow.

Drive Times by Brooklyn Neighborhood

The Brooklyn-to-Newark route has a 20 to 25 minute spread depending on origin neighborhood. Times below are early morning (4–6 AM) and weekday afternoon (2–5 PM). Add 20 to 30 minutes to the PM column for Friday departures.

• Bay Ridge: 30–35 min (AM) / 55–70 min (PM). Closest to the Verrazzano on-ramp. Fastest in Brooklyn for EWR transfers.
• Sunset Park / Dyker Heights: 33–40 min (AM) / 60–75 min (PM). Near the Belt Parkway via 65th Street.
• Park Slope / Carroll Gardens: 38–45 min (AM) / 65–80 min (PM). BQE south merge near Atlantic Ave adds variability.
• Flatbush / Crown Heights: 40–48 min (AM) / 65–85 min (PM). Belt Parkway access via Flatbush Avenue.
• Bed-Stuy: 42–50 min (AM) / 70–88 min (PM). BQE south via Atlantic Avenue is the standard path.
• DUMBO / Downtown Brooklyn: 40–50 min (AM) / 65–85 min (PM). BQE near Atlantic Ave is a consistent chokepoint.
• Williamsburg: 45–55 min (AM) / 75–95 min (PM). Battery Tunnel or BQE south. Both add distance vs southern Brooklyn.
• Greenpoint: 50–60 min (AM) / 85–105 min (PM). Furthest from both primary routes. Plan 3 hours before any EWR flight.

If you need a confirmed pickup time regardless of traffic, door-to-door pickup from Brooklyn can be arranged with multiple stops at booking. The dispatcher handles routing and timing for each address.

NJ Transit + AirTrain from Brooklyn

Public transit is the cheapest way to get to EWR from Brooklyn. The full route: subway to Penn Station, NJ Transit train to Newark Penn Station, AirTrain Newark to your terminal.

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Subway to Penn Station (34th Street, 8th Avenue). From South Brooklyn, use the D, N, R, or B train to 34th Street. From Williamsburg, use the J/M/Z or L to connect. Subway time: 25 to 45 minutes depending on origin neighborhood.

Step 2: NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station. Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line trains run every 15 to 30 minutes. Ride time: 20 minutes. Fare: $4.25 off-peak to $8.50 peak. Buy in the NJ Transit app before boarding. Ticket machines at Penn Station are often slow.

Step 3: AirTrain Newark to your terminal. Departs from ground level at Newark Penn. Terminal A: 6 minutes. Terminals B or C: 8 to 10 minutes. Fare: $8.25 one way (included with some NJ Transit through-tickets).

Total cost: approximately $16 to $20 all-in. Total time from central Brooklyn: 75 to 105 minutes under normal conditions.

The Luggage Problem

The transit route works well for a single carry-on. With a checked-size rolling bag, the experience degrades quickly. Not all subway platforms are elevator-accessible. Penn Station during morning rush is crowded enough that large bags create friction at every turn. If you are traveling with one checked bag and comfortable managing stairs, the route is fine. Two checked bags plus a carry-on is a different calculation. Most business travelers and families skip transit for this reason.

The 2026 AirTrain Disruption

The P4-Airport Train Station leg of AirTrain Newark is suspended on weekdays from 5 AM to 3 PM due to ongoing infrastructure replacement work. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is running a shuttle bus between Newark Penn Station and Terminals A, B, and C during this window.

The shuttle adds 15 to 30 minutes to the standard transit connection time. Budget 90 to 120 minutes door to door from central Brooklyn instead of 75 to 105. The shuttle stop at Newark Penn is outside the main station building. Follow Port Authority signage to the designated pickup zone. Weekend and overnight AirTrain service is not affected. Check panynj.gov before your trip, as the construction schedule may shift as work progresses.

Rideshare from Brooklyn to EWR

Uber and Lyft are available for the Brooklyn-to-Newark run. A few characteristics of this specific route are worth knowing before you rely on it for a flight.

Pricing Variability

The Brooklyn-to-EWR route crosses state lines. Drivers returning from Newark often have no immediate follow-on fare, which affects availability during peak hours. Base estimates typically run $55 to $68 in low-demand conditions. During weekday rush hours and periods of high demand, prices can reach $110 to $140 or higher. Travelers with fixed departure windows may find it useful to check pricing before the day of travel to get a realistic estimate.

Driver Availability and Scheduling

Rideshare apps allow advance scheduling, but driver assignment occurs approximately 30 minutes before the requested pickup time. During overnight hours (roughly 2 AM to 6 AM), driver supply in Brooklyn is lower than during daytime. Passengers with very early departures sometimes find it useful to have a backup plan or book further in advance.

Toll Route Variation

The two main routes from Brooklyn to EWR use different tunnels and carry different toll costs for drivers. Some drivers use the Holland Tunnel rather than the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge based on their own routing preferences. Depending on traffic conditions, the two routes can differ by 15 to 25 minutes. Passengers who prefer a specific route can note it in the app’s instructions field.

Return Trip Pickup at EWR

EWR’s rideshare pickup area is in the cell phone lot off Brewster Road. After landing, passengers request a car, and the driver moves from the lot to the arrivals curb once notified. On busy evenings, particularly when multiple flights arrive close together, wait times from request to pickup can run 20 to 45 minutes. International arrivals at Terminal B add customs clearance time on top of that. For the full surge-pricing breakdown and reliability comparison by hour, see our Uber vs black car service comparison.

Pre-Booked Car Service

Pre-booked car service is a fixed-rate option where the driver is assigned in advance, dispatched at a confirmed time, and tracks your flight number. Pickup time adjusts automatically if your departure changes.

Pre-booked flat rates run roughly $175 to $390 depending on vehicle class. See current rates on our Brooklyn to EWR car service page, or the complete rate sheet for First Class and Sprinter Van options. Tolls and tip are included. No surge pricing. This option is most practical for early morning flights, international departures, groups with full luggage, and any trip where missing the flight is not an option.

The Return Trip: EWR Back to Brooklyn

Driving Out of EWR

After exiting the terminal, follow signs for NJ Turnpike North (I-95) toward New York. From the Turnpike, pick up I-278 East via the Goethals Bridge into Staten Island, then cross the Verrazzano into Brooklyn. The route is well-signed and straightforward.

The biggest return-trip risk is the Staten Island Expressway backup near the Verrazzano approach on the Staten Island side. During peak hours (4 to 7 PM), this backup stretches toward the Goethals exit. If you land between 3 and 5 PM on a weekday, account for this in your schedule.

NJ Transit Return

Take the AirTrain (or shuttle bus if the 5 AM to 3 PM disruption is in effect) to Newark Penn Station. Board NJ Transit to New York Penn Station. Subway to your Brooklyn neighborhood. Total time: 75 to 105 minutes under normal conditions, 90 to 120 minutes during the weekday disruption window. One detail: late-night NJ Transit frequency drops to one train per hour on most lines after 1 AM. Check the schedule before you need it.

Car Service Return

A pre-booked car for the return means your driver is tracking your inbound flight from the departure airport. If the flight is delayed, the driver adjusts before you land. When you clear baggage claim, your driver is at the arrivals curb. No app refresh, no wait, no surge pricing after a long flight. For pricing detail, see our car service to Newark airport cost breakdown.

For travelers who prefer a fixed pickup time with no transit transfers or pricing variability, book a flat-rate transfer from Brooklyn on our service page, or see EWR car service for rates from other origins. Tolls and tip are included. Your driver tracks your flight number automatically.