Newark Airport uses 3 terminals, which are arranged in a horseshoe shape near the highway and railroad tracks. The airport is large but clearly signposted.
The individual terminals are not connected to each other through the transit zone and you always have to use the automated train to move between them AirTrain running free 24/7. The train only runs through the public area.
The frequency of the train is about 4-8 minutes, 10-15 minutes at night and the journey between terminals takes 2-5 minutes.
The terminals are divided according to the airlines that check in.
- Terminal A: Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, United (small portion of flights)
- Terminal B: Aer Lingus, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Premia, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, Austrian, British Airways, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Frenchbee, Icelandair, La Compagnie, LOT, Lufthansa, Porter, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Sun Country, Spirit, Swiss, TAP, Turkish Airlines
- Terminal C: United
Airport Map
An interactive map of the entire airport and each terminal can be found on the airport's official website: maps.newarkairport.com.
Transfer between flights
New York is very often the first point of contact with the American mainland. If you have purchased a transfer through an airline as part of a single booking, in the vast majority of cases it will only take place within one terminal.
View hotels near Newark Airport
Do I need to apply for ESTA?
Every time you transfer from an international flight, you must collect your baggage and exit the transit area.
Therefore, you must have an electronic ESTA cleared to enter the United States (per 21 usd to process online at the official website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
Do I have to pick up my luggage?
If you are arriving at Newark from abroad, you must always pick up your luggage and resubmit it at the check-in counter.
If you are flying from a destination within the U.S. and have a layover of no more than 8 hours, your bag will be automatically rechecked. It does not matter whether you continue on an international or domestic flight.
How long does the immigration check take?
If you arrive during off-peak hours, you can be in the public section in 20 minutes, but especially during the afternoon peak for arrivals from Europe, the immigration line can be as long as 2 hours.
If you have less than 1.5 hours to transfer, it is advisable to tell the informants that you have a tight transfer before you get in the queue. In this case, you may be sent to the priority queue.
If you do not make your guaranteed connection due to the length of the immigration check, the airline will arrange your next flight free of charge. However, accommodation at the airline's expense will not be provided in these cases.
What checks do I go through when I change planes?
What are the exact procedures for each type of transfer?
- International -> International: immigration and security check
- International -> domestic: immigration and security check
- Domestic -> International: security check only if you are transferring to another terminal
- National -> national: security check only if you are moving to another terminal
Do I have to leave the transit zone when transferring between terminals?
Yes, always for international transfers. Follow the "AirTrain" signs that will lead you to the automatic train that circles between all terminals free of charge 24 hours a day.
If you are transferring between domestic flights or from a domestic flight to an international flight, there is no need to leave the transit area and you do not go through security or passport control again.
You don't have to leave transit even if you are transferring between terminals.
United operates free of charge for all passengers shuttle bus between all terminals on the tarmac.
- Terminal A (gate A26) <-> Terminal C (gate C70) - buses run from 4:00 a.m. to midnight
- Terminal A (gate A26) -> Terminal B (gate B67) - buses run from 13:00 to 23:00 in the direction indicated only
- Terminal C (gate C70) -> Terminal B (gate B67) - buses run from 13:00 to 23:00 in the direction indicated only
Do you go through passport control on departure?
No. There is no immigration check on departure from the USA.
Will I be able to visit New York during my transfer?
If you have 8 or more hours of free time, take the opportunity to see Manhattan. You need to have your ESTA clearance anyway, so there are no formalities preventing you from entering New York.
See the Transportation section for options for getting downtown.
