Originally Posted by
bmwe92fan
...I think the best option - since this is clearly a concern for you - us to call UA and explain the situation - and asked to be put on an earlier flight - ...
This is ABSOLUTELY the best option. It's the ONLY thing you can do now. The saying of "$&!+ flows downhill" absolutely applies in transportation. The morning is as close to a fresh start as one can get. The later in the day you fly, the more things can go wrong to cause flight cancelations. Thunderstorms, mechanical issues, late arriving crew or aircraft due to similar situations at another location.
If you get to EWR too early, take a cab over to the Ironbound and walk around and have a real dinner at one of the Spanish restaurants over there.
Originally Posted by
dkc192
Everyone else has already provided sound advice above. But a couple of minor additions/corrections...
You'll want to try to get an Amtrak train from Union Station to Newark Airport, not Newark Penn, if possible. The Airtrain runs from the airport station, not Newark Penn, to the terminals. The catch is that no Acela trains and not all NE Regional trains stop at the airport, so you might still be better off catching a train to Newark Penn at a better time and taking a taxi/Uber to the airport.
While maybe 30% of all Amtrak trains stop at EWR Rail Station, NJ Transit has very frequent service between the two, as in at least 3X every hour throughout the day. It's a 4 minute ride from Newark Penn station to EWR Rail station. Also, while more expensive, Amtrak will prioritize the movement of the Acela Express trains over all other trains. In fact, I rate an Acela with a connection to NJT in Newark Penn over a direct train (Non-Acela) that stops at the rail station. If a train is option 2, make an Acela with a connection to NJT in Newerk Penn option 2A, a direct train to EWR Rail Station option 2B and a Non-Acela train with a connection 2C.