7 hour layover at Newark - time to go into New York?

alyth

My adorable partner has just come home tonight and said it's not worth him coming back from the States for 3 days, why don't I go out and meet him there! So, I'll have a long weekend in Orlando, and I can get Continental flights really cheaply, with a 7 hour layover in New York. Has anyone gone into the city on as short a timescale as this? I've never been there and wondered whether it would be possible to take a cab ride round for a couple of hours to see the sights, before going back to the airport. Or does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I could do - I'll be on my own and I'm not particularly wanting to go shopping or anything, it just seems such a shame to spent all that time sitting in an airport!

baileysbattlebus

We thought the same thing when we had a stop over in Dallas, but to to be honest we didn't really have the time, much as would liked to have gone into Dallas for a few hours, I was worried we might miss our flight home - traffic etc.

jeanna_2

you can go on the train into nyc from newark. it is quick and easy.it takes about 30 mins if you got off at penn station you could go to the empire state building.it's just around the corner.or you could take the tour bus for a couple of hours.
http://panynj.gov/airtrainnewark/fromNewark_downtownMan.html

http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/

PBA

I'd say you're pushing it, you'll have to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before th flight home to make sure you get through security and to the gate on time, allow another hour each way to get to NYC and then you've only got 3 hours there. Can't you get bumped to a later flight in to Newark, or failing that ask when you fly in if there's any chance of getting bumped to an earlier flight back to the UK?

LittleTinker

You would be pushing it....and it would be risky. Im sure you wouldnt want to miss your flight.

It really wouldnt be worth it by the time you have finished messing about.

duchy

I'd do it-but just for lunch
Bus goes to the Port Authority on W42nd Street almost opposite BB Kings. I wouldn't wander too far or try and pack a lot in but it beats sitting at Newark for that long. The alternative would be the outlet mall near Newark at Elizabeth-name of it escapes me atm but if you're interested I'll look it up. There's a free bus there (but they charge you a couple of bucks for the return leg)

exel1966

If you decide against NYC, how about a little shopping just 5 mins away from EWR !

lily_the_pink

If you have never been to New York then as long as there are no security scares or your plane is late in from Orlando then you really should go. I cannot think of many things that would be worse than 7 hours at an airport terminal - even a large airport with lots of shops.



I would suggest going to the Top of the Rockafella Centre (less queues usually than the Empire State and you can do it in less time) or just a walk in Central Park even. (There is a really good restaurant - The Boat House - not cheap though). The Metropolitan Museum of Art is where I would head - but there is something for everybody.

Go, have fun - just dont miss the plane.

martindow

Yes I would go as well. It will be fine as trains are frequent are quite reliable to give you several hours there As has been said to do the Top of the Rock or a wander around. If the worst happened, as you are using public transport and there was a problem getting back to the airport in time, your travel insurance should cover you as long as you scheduled your return to match the airline's check in times.

duchy

Another vote for the Top of the Rock here.
Only other bit of advice I'd give you is as you are going to be using public transport keep in mind the alternative-ie the train goes into Penn but if there is an incident or some kind of delay you have back up with the bus which goes from Port Authority-short cab ride between the two.

ahall41116

also, you could save a little time by checking your luggage through from orlando to the uk, so you will already have your boarding card, and as long as you dont buy too much...

i am planning a similar trip, but i'll be coming down from St Johns in Canada, via EWR, back home, and i will have 9 hours, so i will deffo skip into 'town'

have fun!