New York City - 7-hour evening EWR Layover - baggage storage & Manhattan visit

I'm arriving at EWR at 5PM and my connecting flight leaves at midnight. I'm planning on taking the train into the city for dinner. My question is, can I leave my bag at the United Club? And how late do they close? If not, any other ideas?

I'm arriving at EWR at 5PM and my connecting flight leaves at midnight. I'm planning on taking the train into the city for dinner. My question is, can I leave my bag at the United Club? And how late do they close? If not, any other ideas?

The club in C3 closes at 10:30pm...that's the latest one open. As long as you're back by then you'll be fine. But you leave your bag at your own risk.

You could leave your bag at the United Club, but, of course, it would be at your own risk, and, who knows, the club staff, seeing a bag unclaimed for so long, might get worried about it (unlikely, but not impossible).

Also, there are two former CO Presidents Clubs at EWR Terminal C. The one by gates C74 (it's on the second floor) closes every night at 10 pm. The other club, right beyond the C3 security, closes at 10:30pm every night, except Friday, when it closes at 11pm.

If you're willing to take a chance on your bag not "walking away," you still have to worry about getting to the city and back in time, and all of the transportation options have their pluses and minuses. Even though seven hours is a long time, you might be surprised how little time you really have in the city, especially if you have to be back by about 10:20 pm to pick up your bag at the club.

Also, another option if you want to go to the city after all, is to take your bag with you (presumably it's a carry-on) and leave it either at a locker at Penn Station or with Schwartz Travel, they have a few locations in Midtown:

www.schwartztravel.com

There are lockers in the C2/3 and A2 clubs. They are big enough to hold a 22" bag. Ask at the front desk for a key. They imprint your CC.

Just make sure to be back in time to collect it before they close.

There are lockers in the C2/3 and A2 clubs. They are big enough to hold a 22" bag. Ask at the front desk for a key. They imprint your CC.

Just make sure to be back in time to collect it before they close.

That's the best option, definitely.

Then the issue is how long the OP can really be in the city. If he/she lands at 5pm, and is out of the terminal by, say 5:45pm, then he/she can take a train (best option at that time of day) which would leave no later than 6:15p, be in Manhattan a little bit before 7p.

Then he/she would have to take a train no later than about 9p in order to get to the club before it closes.

So it's about 2 hours, give or take, in Manhattan. Not bad, but in that two hours he/she would have to walk from Penn Station to a restaurant, have dinner and walk aback to the station...

Not really so leisurely.

You could leave your bag at the United Club, but, of course, it would be at your own risk, and, who knows, the club staff, seeing a bag unclaimed for so long, might get worried about it (unlikely, but not impossible).

Also, there are two former CO Presidents Clubs at EWR Terminal C. The one by gates C74 (it's on the second floor) closes every night at 10 pm. The other club, right beyond the C3 security, closes at 10:30pm every night, except Friday, when it closes at 11pm.

If you're willing to take a chance on your bag not "walking away," you still have to worry about getting to the city and back in time, and all of the transportation options have their pluses and minuses. Even though seven hours is a long time, you might be surprised how little time you really have in the city, especially if you have to be back by about 10:20 pm to pick up your bag at the club.

Also, another option if you want to go to the city after all, is to take your bag with you (presumably it's a carry-on) and leave it either at a locker at Penn Station or with Schwartz Travel, they have a few locationsin Midtown:

www.schwartztravel.com

You have plenty of time to go into the city for a while. Your most reliable way in is to take Airtrain to NJTransit and a train in. Depending on how long you need to wait for a train, you'll be in the city in anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour after stepping on air train. Pick up a schedule for AirTrain on your way or pull it up online and find a train back leaving between between 9 and 9:00. You'll be back in the terminal between approx 9:30 and 10:00.

If you know the city, go wherever you want or meet someone for dinner. If you don't, and its a nice evening, I would suggest dinner in the meatpacking district and a walk on the highline; or just browse the shops around Soho and find a restaurant there.

You have plenty of time to go into the city for a while. Your most reliable way in is to take Airtrain to NJTransit and a train in. Depending on how long you need to wait for a train, you'll be in the city in anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour after stepping on air train. Pick up a schedule for AirTrain on your way or pull it up online and find a train back leaving between between 9 and 9:00. You'll be back in the terminal between approx 9:30 and 10:00.

If you know the city, go wherever you want or meet someone for dinner. If you don't, and its a nice evening, I would suggest dinner in the meatpacking district and a walk on the highline; or just browse the shops around Soho and find a restaurant there.

Not to be paranoid, but the only other variable to consider, on the way back, is the unreliable operation of the AirTrain, especially late at night, especially if this is on a weekend.

That's when one of the AirTrain tracks gets shut down, usually for maintenance, and they make you ride an AirTrain from the EWR Rail Station to P4, get off and wait for an AirTrain to the terminals. Depending on how smoothly, or not, this is going, this can easily add 15-20 minutes to the trip.

Then there is security. At that time of night, it should be a breeze, but they do close down most of the screening stations, and if there have been a lot of delays or cancellations, it could be hellacious and take much longer than anticipated.

None of this is likely to happen, but you need to be aware that it could...

I'm arriving at EWR at 5PM and my connecting flight leaves at midnight. I'm planning on taking the train into the city for dinner. My question is, can I leave my bag at the United Club? And how late do they close? If not, any other ideas?

Another option may be to head to dinner into Newark. There are some awesome restaurants in Newark, ranging from Brazilian steak houses to delicious Portuguese feasts. If you're a fan of red meat, grilled seafood, or robust paella, there's many moderate to upscale options a short taxi away from the airport to try out...that'll get you back to EWR in plenty of time to claim your bags prior to the United Clubs closing.

Another option may be to head to dinner into Newark. There are some awesome restaurants in Newark, ranging from Brazilian steak houses to delicious Portuguese feasts. If you're a fan of red meat, grilled seafood, or robust paella, there's many moderate to upscale options a short taxi away from the airport to try out...that'll get you back to EWR in plenty of time to claim your bags prior to the United Clubs closing.

That's an excellent point. Newark is also revitalizing and is definitely an interesting place to visit.

Of course, on the other hand, it's no Manhattan...

Not to be paranoid, but the only other variable to consider, on the way back, is the unreliable operation of the AirTrain, especially late at night, especially if this is on a weekend.

That's when one of the AirTrain tracks gets shut down, usually for maintenance, and they make you ride an AirTrain from the EWR Rail Station to P4, get off and wait for an AirTrain to the terminals. Depending on how smoothly, or not, this is going, this can easily add 15-20 minutes to the trip.

Then there is security. At that time of night, it should be a breeze, but they do close down most of the screening stations, and if there have been a lot of delays or cancellations, it could be hellacious and take much longer than anticipated.

None of this is likely to happen, but you need to be aware that it could...

+1. Once I left myself 3 hours from Manhattan for a domestic flight (thought I was going to be way early to relax at the UC and do a little work). The AirTrain was screwed up and took two hours to go from the train station @ EWR to Terminal C. I missed my flight.

+1. Once I left myself 3 hours from Manhattan for a domestic flight (thought I was going to be way early to relax at the UC and do a little work). The AirTrain was screwed up and took two hours to go from the train station @ EWR to Terminal C. I missed my flight.

Wow! That's brutal, but to be fair, even for the horrible EWR AirTrain, that's exceptionally poor.

The worst delay I ever had was getting stuck between the EWR Rail Station and P4 for about 45 minutes in the sweltering heat (a/c stopped working).

Every once in a while, the technician would talk on the intercom to give us updates.

Unfortunately, as a combination of the extremely thick NJ accent and the poor quality of the intercom system, the messages sounded something like this:

"Sedfgf Xsdew xddws dfffdd fggff ssddf..."

I also missed my flight, btw.

Wow! That's brutal, but to be fair, even for the horrible EWR AirTrain, that's exceptionally poor.

The worst delay I ever had was getting stuck between the EWR Rail Station and P4 for about 45 minutes in the sweltering heat (a/c stopped working).

Every once in a while, the technician would talk on the intercom to give us updates.

Unfortunately, as a combination of the extremely thick NJ accent and the poor quality of the intercom system, the messages sounded something like this:

"Sedfgf Xsdew xddws dfffdd fggff ssddf..."

I also missed my flight, btw.

Yes -- the train station got really crowded and many people were upset. Once, when I was young (I think 15/16) and flying alone, I was coming home from the airport. Took the airtrain, was told to get off at P4, take the next one on the opposite side, it went back to C, took the one that they pointed out, went to B, came back to C, transferred went to P4, transferred went back to C. I think I did that for 45 minutes and fortunately ran into a kid also my age (thankfully) during the craziness. Fortunately, we thought it was humorous and made a friend that day. However, if I was coming home from a business trip, i'd be PISSED!

I always wonder if / when they would throw out the AirTrain and go with something faster and more efficient.

Yes -- the train station got really crowded and many people were upset. Once, when I was young (I think 15/16) and flying alone, I was coming home from the airport. Took the airtrain, was told to get off at P4, take the next one on the opposite side, it went back to C, took the one that they pointed out, went to B, came back to C, transferred went to P4, transferred went back to C. I think I did that for 45 minutes and fortunately ran into a kid also my age (thankfully) during the craziness. Fortunately, we thought it was humorous and made a friend that day. However, if I was coming home from a business trip, i'd be PISSED!

I always wonder if / when they would throw out the AirTrain and go with something faster and more efficient.

The sad thing is the AirTrain is pretty recent (2001) and the sink-hole at the Port Authority is unlikely to build anything new there for another, I'd say, 40 years.

The technology, brought from Germany, was defective from the start, and the AirTrain had to be shut down for an entire summer (2003 or '04 IRCC), because the contacts were rusting.

But even when it's working, it's a terrible resource, with those tiny, disconnected cabins.

As you're waiting for the AirTrain to arrive, you have no way of knowing which one of the cabins will be filled to the rafters. Once the train arrives, and if you spot an emptier cabin, you have to hightail it pretty quickly or run the risk of the door closing on you...

I'm arriving at EWR at 5PM and my connecting flight leaves at midnight.

Did I miss anything here?

Why not just check you bag through to the connecting flight?

Did I miss anything here?

Why not just check you bag through to the connecting flight?

That is a valid option -- however, I think he wants it as a carry-on (i'm just assuming here). Checking it in might be the best way to go!

The sad thing is the AirTrain is pretty recent (2001) and the sink-hole at the Port Authority is unlikely to build anything new there for another, I'd say, 40 years.

The technology, brought from Germany, was defective from the start, and the AirTrain had to be shut down for an entire summer (2003 or '04 IRCC), because the contacts were rusting.

But even when it's working, it's a terrible resource, with those tiny, disconnected cabins.

As you're waiting for the AirTrain to arrive, you have no way of knowing which one of the cabins will be filled to the rafters. Once the train arrives, and if you spot an emptier cabin, you have to hightail it pretty quickly or run the risk of the door closing on you...

I'm surprised that it wasn't a MTA capital project. :-p.

Hopefully they realize their mistake and throw out that hunk of junk sooner than later (either that or speed up LGA's renovation).

Train into Manhattan Bus back. At 9pm it will take like 25 minutes and to the terminal vs train which takes 20ish minutes and then have to wait for Air Train Roulette.

Train into Manhattan Bus back. At 9pm it will take like 25 minutes and to the terminal vs train which takes 20ish minutes and then have to wait for Air Train Roulette.

I thought of that, too, although even the bus is not without its pitfalls if they close one of the tubes on the Lincoln Tunnel and the back-up becomes deeply nightmarish...

As this is more about what to do with seven hours at EWR than UA-specific, I'm sending this to the NYC forum.

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

Another option for baggage storage (and only if you are departing on United) would be Newark Baggage Service (NBS) in Terminal C, by baggage Claim #1. I believe they are open until 11, and cost is between 5 & 10 dollars per bag.


Bit curious -- what flight are you on that leaves at midnight?

Another option for baggage storage (and only if you are departing on United) would be Newark Baggage Service (NBS) in Terminal C, by baggage Claim #1. I believe they are open until 11, and cost is between 5 & 10 dollars per bag.


Bit curious -- what flight are you on that leaves at midnight?

I'd say the OP should use this option rather than leave a bag in an airline lounge where someone at the lounge might have it sent to lost and found (which would likely be closed when the OP got back to EWR.)

The OP should check njtransit.com and sign up for alerts from the PA to make sure there are no issues with the trains. He should have more than enough time to head into the city, have a bite to eat and walk around a bit (albeit there is not much to see around Penn Station other than traffic and garbage.)

Another option for baggage storage (and only if you are departing on United) would be Newark Baggage Service (NBS) in Terminal C, by baggage Claim #1. I believe they are open until 11, and cost is between 5 & 10 dollars per bag.


Bit curious -- what flight are you on that leaves at midnight?

BON

BON

Ah.


Just FYI, not the end of the world, but you will have to use the C1 security checkpoint at that hour.

If you are looking with the airport roadway to your back, this would be the furthest to the right.


Also, I am assuming that you plan to not check bags, however, the UA counters close at 10:00pm.

Did I miss anything here?

Why not just check you bag through to the connecting flight?

I support this idea. If it's a carry-on bag, try to travel as light as possible so you can carry it on your way to NYC, and no need to worry about lockers or leaving bag at a club.. That gives you a longer time window, cause I agree 7 hours is relatively not that long. Maybe you will have to re arrange some things ou have already planned (baggage check, etc.), but a visit to New York City, even just for dinner, is worth it.

BON? I thought it might be BOM but that flight is much earlier

BON? I thought it might be BOM but that flight is much earlier

Must be the UAL 1422

OP could just take a shuttle bus or cab back to EWR to reduce the risk of the airtrain doing funny things late at night...it's not like the airtrain + njt is that cheap anyway.

and please, why are people even suggesting checking out newark instead of manhattan? i'm sorry but i'd almost suggest just staying in the airport at that point... :p

and please, why are people even suggesting checking out newark instead of manhattan? i'm sorry but i'd almost suggest just staying in the airport at that point... :p

You are right. Dinner in Ironbound is no comparison to the lights/hussle of Manhattan. Just walking Times Sq. or Columbus Circle is more thrilling for a out-of-towner vs. what any of us gives credit for.

Read prior responses and take bus in both directions. I say this because the bus gives you a great view of Manhattan skyline while entering/exiting the Lincoln Tunnel. If you decide on the train inbound sit on the right side.

This thread is talked out but you could also take PATH to Newark then airlink striaght to your terminal. Not easiest but definately most foolproof.

This thread is talked out but you could also take PATH to Newark then airlink striaght to your terminal. Not easiest but definately most foolproof.

I think you still have to go through NJ transit or Amtrak. I don't think there's a direct link to the airlink from the PATH trains.

NYC <-> PATH <-> (NJT/Amtrak <-> EWR Airtrain) OR TAXI <-> EWR

This thread is talked out but you could also take PATH to Newark then airlink striaght to your terminal. Not easiest but definately most foolproof.
This is not at all true. After the PATH you'd still need to get from Newark Penn Station to Newark Airport. That can be done via rail, bus or taxi, but it will need to be done. PATH does not go to the airport.
OP could just take a shuttle bus or cab back to EWR to reduce the risk of the airtrain doing funny things late at night...it's not like the airtrain + njt is that cheap anyway. A taxi from NYC to Newark will cost ~4x the train or bus options. A $12-15 transfer is hardly breaking the bank.

and please, why are people even suggesting checking out newark instead of manhattan? i'm sorry but i'd almost suggest just staying in the airport at that point... :p
Sounds like a rather ignorant suggestion, to be frank. There are a number of good dining options in Newark. No, you won't get to see Times Square, but someone coming in to NYC for a good dinner shouldn't be seeing that anyways.

I think you still have to go through NJ transit or Amtrak. I don't think there's a direct link to the airlink from the PATH trains.

NYC <-> PATH <-> (NJT/Amtrak <-> EWR Airtrain) OR TAXI <-> EWR

The "Cheapest" Option between EWR and NYC is the NJ Transit # 62 Bus to Newark Penn Station (1.50 exact change leaves every 30 minutes from each Terminal)

Transfer to the PATH train towards the World Trade Center (2.00, leaves every 5-30 minutes, depending on the time of day) Transfer across the platform at Journal Square for a train to 33rd, 23rd, 14th, 9th, or Christopher Streets.

Transfer from any of these stations to a MTA NYC Subway or MTA Bus, and with transfers you can get anywhere in the city served by mass transit. (2.25)

Total Cost: 3.50 to Step Foot in NYC -- 4.75 to seemingly "anywhere" in NYC.

The "Cheapest" Option between EWR and NYC is the NJ Transit # 62 Bus to Newark Penn Station (1.50 exact change leaves every 30 minutes from each Terminal)

Transfer to the PATH train towards the World Trade Center (2.00, leaves every 5-30 minutes, depending on the time of day) Transfer across the platform at Journal Square for a train to 33rd, 23rd, 14th, 9th, or Christopher Streets.

Transfer from any of these stations to a MTA NYC Subway or MTA Bus, and with transfers you can get anywhere in the city served by mass transit. (2.25)

Total Cost: 3.50 to Step Foot in NYC -- 4.75 to seemingly "anywhere" in NYC.

I don't recommend that option during rush hour though (nor for a novice who is visiting NYC for the first time). As for me personally, I travel by train (NJT) during busy hours and shuttle via off hours to get to EWR. This is from Manhattan.

I don't recommend that option during rush hour though (nor for a novice who is visiting NYC for the first time). As for me personally, I travel by train (NJT) during busy hours and shuttle via off hours to get to EWR. This is from Manhattan.

Neither do I, I was following up on the person who posted that the PATH connects to the AirTrain.

The two discussed alternatives would be:

NJ Transit Train (12.50 per person) to/from:
Penn Station - 34th St Between 7/8th Av

Newark Airport Express Bus (16.00 per person) to/from:
Port Authority Bus Terminal - 42nd St @ 8th Av
Bryant Park - 42nd St Between 5/6th Av
Grand Central Terminal - 42nd St @ Park Av