Amtrak

This «Amtrak» train station is also the place to catch your New Jersey Transit trains to NYC or to Trenton and other destinations. The station is very modern but looks unfinished and very bare. There’s no place to get a coffee, a snack or a magazine.
Independently to the station, the train schedules are not always regular and you can be waiting for over an hour for the next train. This train station is also an exclusive to the airport, meaning that you can’t be picked up by anyone there, yet you are charged an extra fee for the AirTrain in both directions. Make sure you hold on to your ticket, as it is the same for the AirTrain and the NJT train.
Also be aware that most trains stopping at this station are Amtrak and the ticket price is a lot higher.
Safe travel, welcome to Jersey or wherever you go from there is probably better.

This is listed under amtrak but is also shared by NJT trains. In broad strokes the trains run too infrequently and there are no food options at all, not even vending machines. Also no benches on the platforms and limited seating area.

Tickets:
I purchased my round trip tickets online, however the ticket that I printed out does not work with the turnstile scanners. You’ll need to have the guy in the booth open it for you. The tickets I bought were for a train leaving a couple of hours after I’ve arrived at the airport just in case I had any flight delays. The train showed up on time.
The Ride:
I took the Northeast Regional from Newark Liberty International Airport Station over to the Penn Station in Manhattan for a quick approximately 25 min ride with a couple of stops. It was a very smooth ride. I would suggest taking the quiet train if possible. There are outlets on the train for you to recharge your portable devices.
I’ve never taken the NJ Transit train, but it will be cheaper than taking the Amtrak if you’re going into Manhattan.

My recent Amtrak experience at Newark International was among the worst ever. The whole purpose of this train station is to serve the airport. Clearly, one cannot control airline schedules. Planes land early, on-​time, and late. Hence, the train station serving the airport HAS to be flexible. Amtrak at Newark International today was exactly the opposite. No agent, fast trak machines not working, 15 – 20 wait time on the 800 number, unbearably rude and obnoxious conductors. They hit every bad note. I will now endeavor to NEVER fly out of Newark again… all just to avoid Amtrak and their terrible customer service!

Asked and was told u would definitely make the next train (15min out). Totally false… It left 3 min before the air tram transfer arrived and had to wait 50 minutes until next train. Total fail. Will über next time.

One star is for people who helped to exchange ticket, sold for the train left 10 min before purchase (been 20 min late)…
Why it is impossible to know with web what time train will come? Why speed is 46 – 76?
How it is possible arrive 10 min after website map said you are on station? How one can make plans? Amtrak is used just because there is no other choice!
Traveling from Newark airport to new Haven… Came from Lisbon, just had the same length of time trip from Porto to Lisbon– with twice distance covered, with train up to minute and price 30 euro vs 75 $!
Just tell me why?!

Worst possible service. After boarding the train with paid ticket and sitting diwn, I was asked to move to another car as that one was reserved. Instead of locking the car about 50 people were asked to move. Worst customer service experience ever. They also called the cops to help them move us. Terrible. Fly if you can don’t use Amtrack. And you know what the kicker is? The car was neatly empty all the way to Washington, DC. I wish there was Amtrack competitor.

Summary: Rating is for the mode of transport into NYC more then station experience. Take this only if arriving during rush hour. Otherwise, try the Olympus bus.
The Station: It’s actually fairly clean and modern. The issue is that if you are coming in the winter, you should be prepared for an 70% chance of freezing your tail off for a train that will be between 15 – 30 min late and very sparse trains unless you’re arriving during rush hour.
The Train: The Newark train is fine for a train. It can sometimes get dirty, but it’s mass transit. You’ll need to get your tickets in advance of the train. If you hear it though, just get on the train and pay the extra bump. You’d think this would run more often, but i have waited 1 hour for a train before. It’s that bad, especially on weekends. TERRIBLE!!!
If you’re considering it, then make sure you check the train schedule and that you are coming during a high time for trains. If they say it comes every ½ hour, be ready to miss your train and wait closer to 1 hour, i.e. one train early the other train late.
That said, during rush hour, you’re slightly better taking the train to Penn station vs. waiting in traffic. Slightly only and only if you are headed to a specific east or downtown area. Slightly…

This was very convenient for me when I was visiting the East Coast since I landed and departed from Newark airport. It’s not the prettiest train station but it’s not the worst. It’s only a 20 minute train ride from Newark Airport to New York Penn Station. There were a few stops but it went by really fast.
The big issue is that you’re not a guaranteed a seat even though you bought a ticket for a seat. It’s first come first serve, so minus 2 stars.
The train is pretty old but it gives it character. It reminded me of an old black and white movie because of the arrangement and color of the seats. That upped it 1* back.
However, there were no cowboys riding horses trying to hijack the cargo, which is why I took away another star. I was looking for some excitement and there was none. Overall, Amtrak gets 3*.

Just got in from a 10hr flight that came in early and you would rather have empty seats on the 12:56 train than switch my 2:34 ticket (at the price that I paid, not at your last minute price gauging rate). Excellent customer service! I will be sure to take NJT instead from now on.

Not very happy that on a train that I paid for a seat, there were no seats available. I guess it’s better than the airlines where I probably would have been bumped. But really, don’t they know how many seats they’re selling? Would it have been possible to add 1 more car?

It was about 15 minutes late every time I tried to catch it, but it got me where I was going, and that was lovely.