Thanks to some bad timing, I managed to land myself a flight arriving in EWR tomorrow evening at 9pm, and don't take off again until 7:30am. I've considered going to an airport hotel, but given the time zone changes I won't be able to fall sleep until 1am, and would have to probably wake up at 4:30-5am to get back into security in time (international flight).

The presidents clubs close at 9pm and 11pm, and don't open again until 5am. I'm content to just stay up all night on my laptop until I board my next flight, and get my sleep then, but I don't know about sitting at the gate for 9 hours. Are there any restaurants or bars open late?

I fly a lot of overnight flights and it's frustrating how the airport can be so busy in the middle of the night yet nothing is open.

No. Priceline a hotel. You will be significantly more comfortable and will probably be thankful for any sleep you can get.

+1

Just get yourself a cheap room. You don't want to be homeless in EWR overnight. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair near a gate is gonna be about it.

Hrm. If the flight takes off at 7:30am, what time at the latest should I clear security? I'll have already checked in and have my boarding pass, luggage will already be checked, and I'll have access to the Elite security line...

Just wondering how much sleep I'll really get

I've stayed at Hilton next to Newark Penn Station. Short ride from EWR via train.

Hotel is good and rate was reasonable. Decent restaurants nearby as well. Plus if you want you can go to NYC from Penn Station as well.

I would say by 5:30am is pleanty of time. Just check what time int't flights need to be checked in by. But going through security at 5:30 is fine and then you can sit in the PC and sock down some Bloody Mary's before the flight

You could go into NYC and have a late dinner and a few night caps and then take a taxi back to EWR. I am not sure what time the last train/bus runs from NYC to EWR, but the taxi's are available 24 hrs.

+1 to those who have suggested getting a hotel, even for only a few hours.

I did a similar overnight a few weeks ago. Stay at the Marriott at the airport. It was not absurdly priced, reasonably night, and they serve food until midnight at least.

Get yourself to the Four Points or a Hampton Inn and surf the internet from there. You don't want to be in the airport that long and being unable to shower.

You guys convinced me. My chances of getting upgraded for the second leg look low, so I think I'll appreciate getting a few hours of sleep.

Wirelessly posted (XYZZYfone: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.231 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

A hotel is a great idea. You will be MISERABLE otherwise. If you get to security before 6:00am you will be fine.

meh i have overnighted a number of times at ewr. typically sleep near the end of the concourse with the international flights, i think it's around gate 130 or something like that. i just sleep on the floor in some corner where i'm not easily visible, and nobody has ever bothered me.

it's ok, not particularly comfortable, but i would feel absurd getting a hotel for 3 hours or whatever.

I am not confident or comfortable to have luggage connecting properly from a 9P flight to a 7:30A flight, especially in EWR. If you want luggage at your destination, I would claim upon arrival at 9P and recheck in the AM.

The OP did say they would have 10 1/2 hrs between flights 9pm arrival , 7:30am departure.

No way would I spend that amount of time in EWR, as others have suggested PL a Hotel room or cash in some pts