Here’s part two of my trip to NYC. Part one was my United flight from LAX to Newark (EWR). When I landed at EWR, I planned to take the AirTrain and NJ Transit train ($16 total) into the city, but it was freezing out (22°F), and the Port Authority is doing construction on the AirTrain, which means shuttle buses are used for part of the journey. You can find the details here.
So instead, I tried something new (at least to me): Uber Shuttle. An UberX was $79.99, but an Uber Shuttle was just $19.99, and since I was traveling solo, it was worth trying. I’m glad I did.
Here’s what you need to know: Open the app, enter your destination, scroll down, and find Uber Shuttle. They were departing every 25 minutes from Terminal C, and it was a short walk.
I booked a seat and followed the signs to ground transportation. Uber Shuttle departs from Zone 7, which is outside on the center island. It’s across the street from Zone 6, which is right outside the terminal doors (most people wait inside when it’s cold).
The app includes directions, including walking directions to and from pickup and drop-off. I was headed to the Hyatt Place Times Square.
Here’s what my app showed once I ordered my ride:
Shuttle ride details
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 4:46 p.m.
Number of seats: 1
EWR Terminal C (Zone 7)
Exit door 6 and proceed to outer lane, Zone 7
Pickup: 4:46 p.m.
Drop-off: Port Authority (42nd St. & 8th Ave.)
234 W. 42nd St. (in front of AMC)
$19.29
There were just three of us in a Sprinter van that holds 15 passengers, so it was very comfortable. If there hadn’t been traffic in the Lincoln Tunnel, it would’ve been a breeze, but it took about 30 minutes to go roughly three miles. Painful—but the price made it bearable.
What was also painful was this radio commercial that came on, which made both the other passengers and me gasp. What an embarrassment to our country.
Our driver was cool, and when I told him where I was going, he dropped me off at the curb a block or two away from the Port Authority (42nd St. and 8th Ave.). The couple behind me jumped out too since it was closer to their hotel as well.
I grabbed my bags and walked the five blocks to my hotel.
Uber Shuttle – Pros
- Much cheaper than UberX or taxi
- Easy booking inside the Uber app
- Comfortable vans with plenty of space
- Scheduled departures (no guessing)
- Clear pickup instructions and navigation
Uber Shuttle – Cons
- Subject to traffic (especially tunnels and bridges)
- Limited routes and drop-off points
- Not ideal if you’re in a big hurry
Who Uber Shuttle Is Best For
- Solo travelers or couples
- Budget-conscious travelers
- Anyone with light luggage
- Travelers comfortable walking a few blocks
- People who prefer simplicity over juggling multiple trains
Bottom line: If you’re flying into Newark and don’t want to deal with trains, transfers, or surge pricing, Uber Shuttle is a solid, inexpensive alternative—especially when the weather is brutal.