Stay in Newark ,commute to manhattan?

September 8, 2009 12:14 PM

Stay in Newark ,commute to manhattan?

Man hotels are pricey in Manhattan,
We are thinking of staying in Newark and commuting daily into the city.
Can anyone offer some advice as to if this is a bad idea or not? We are early risers and not late party people.
Would love to know of some affordable options between the two

posted by citybuddha to travel & transportation (16 comments total)

For what duration of time?

Also, please don't use "in" or "to" as tags.
posted by Spacelegoman at 12:21 PM on September 8

Um, where in Newark? I wouldn't stay there (safety issues), but depends on your feeling.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:25 PM on September 8

That's a hike. Manhattan is expensive.
posted by dfriedman at 12:26 PM on September 8

The PATH train goes into the WTC area (or you can transfer at Journal Square to get on the line that terminates at 33rd st and 6th ave), and runs 24 hours and is relatively safe and cheap. It isn't quite as convenient as being directly in the city (You're probably looking at an addition of 45 minutes each way), but if Newark hotels are that much cheaper, that is an option.

Depending on where in Newark your hotel is situated, the taxis lined up outside Newark Penn Station may be useful to you at night (and depending on your comfort walking through the city in general). I'm not sure how late they operate, for what it's worth (I go through the station daily to get to other destinations, and am only in the area around 9AM and 6PM).

An alternative would be to get a hotel near the PATH station in the Newport Pavonia area, which is generally safer and cleaner than Newark and would be closer, to boot.

http://www.panynj.gov/path/ has more information.
posted by jangie at 12:26 PM on September 8

I live in Newark and commute to Manhattan fairly regularly for work. If you're staying near a train line or near the PATH stations, getting into Manhattan is dead simple and relatively quick. If you have to drive to a train or PATH station and park then take the train in, your costs and time for driving will outweigh the benefit of the lower hotel room rate.

That said, here's a couple of options:

There's a major hotel almost right next to Newark Penn Station. Trains there run to New York Penn Station fairly regularly. You can catch the PATH there, also, and be in Hoboken, Lower Manhattan or 33rd Street area (which is a block or so from the New York Penn Station) easily.

What hotel is that? I wish I knew.

You could, if you're somewhat adventurous and don't mind sharing a room, check out the hostels in Manhattan. I stayed in one in Brooklyn and another in Spanish Harlem for $25/night. It wasn't ideal, but then I was doing it for work reasons not vacation. If you want more info on those hostels, MeMail me.
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 12:28 PM on September 8

I'm going to weigh in once more.

The hotel near the Newark Penn Station is a Hilton.

My commutes into Manhattan have me going into and out of Newark Penn at all sorts of hours. The area is safe so long as you aren't a complete idiot. If you look at the residents the wrong way, i.e., as if you *expect* them to come attack you, then they just might do so. But if you're confident and move like you're going somewhere and know where that somewhere is, you'll be fine. (I'm female and have never had a problem anywhere in Newark; I can't say the same for Manhattan).

Taxis line up outside Newark Penn 24/7, it seems. I've come through there at 2 am, after my bus has stopped running for the night, and found taxis available. They are not regulated like NYC taxis are, though, so be aware of the possibility for fare cheating. Don't get into an unmarked car.

The PATH train from Newark to WTC (Lower Manhattan) takes roughly 22 minutes, depending upon whether they stop to pick up employees. The ride to 33rd Street is about the same. Both PATH routes end up near subway stops that will take you wherever you want to go in NYC.
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 12:36 PM on September 8

My boss' mother always does this. If you're going to be exploring uptown or midtown, it will increase your commute significantly from the time to the WTC.
posted by kathrineg at 12:38 PM on September 8

I am looking at 3 1/2 star hotels near the airport. Good rates. Thank you for the tag advice as well.
posted by citybuddha at 12:40 PM on September 8

Lots of good advice - also NJ Transit runs trains between Newark (both Newark Penn and Newark Broad) and they take from 18 to 22 minutes, and they run quite often. Round trip is $8. PATH is cheaper, like 2 bucks a trip, maybe slightly slower.

I think its actually a good idea; assuming you are exploring Manhattan's touristy parts, every morning you'd be "commuting" in to a very central part of the city for that kind of thing.
posted by RajahKing at 12:53 PM on September 8

nj transit has trains that go from newark penn station to NY Penn Station - about a half hour train ride and ~$6-7 (I don't remember) each way. Depending on how long it would take you to get to and from each station, and what time of day you'll be commuting it could be a good choice. If you'll be in newark during normal business hours and rush hours you're probably safe. If you want to come back late at night after work one day then I have no idea, but I hear it's bad.

And oh yea, the path is a lot cheaper and might be more convenient for you if you have to go into downtown.
posted by KateHasQuestions at 1:52 PM on September 8

Check out the rates for the Sheraton in Weehawken, the W in Hoboken and the various hotels in Jersey City (downtown and Newport only). They are all much closer Manhattan than Newark and may have better rates.

Also check out Secaucus, which is in between in distance, but has many different hotel chains at different price points, all of which have different kinds of shuttle arrangements for people in your situation.
posted by MattD at 2:15 PM on September 8

Former Jersey City resident here. Stay in the Newport/Pavonia area if you'll be going to Times Square and other points north. If you're going strictly to the financial district, consider a hotel near the Exchange Place PATH station in Jersey City; there are hotels nearby and the PATH station is the last one on the NJ side of the river before the WTC station in Manhattan. They're a bit pricier but much more convenient.
posted by immlass at 2:24 PM on September 8

Newark is not the best choice for what you're trying to do, you should look at hotels in Jersey City or Hoboken as mentioned above. Check out the PATH schedule here, you want to stay close to those stations for convenience.
posted by crankylex at 2:39 PM on September 8

If you're staying at the airport, use my patented super-cheap ultra-secret bus route from Newark Airport's North Parking area to get to and from Manhattan. Be advised, however, that it's now $4.40 one-way.
posted by saladin at 3:00 PM on September 8

I'll second those recommending Jersey City -- I stayed at the Candlewood Suites in Jersey City and walked to the Exchange Place PATH station each morning to get to Manhattan. It was not as convenient as staying in Manhattan, but it was about half the price, plus I had a kitchenette and fridge.

If you're commuting to downtown, that's your best bet. If you're going to Midtown, PATH will get you to Penn Station, then you can make your way from there.
posted by armage at 7:10 PM on September 8

Holland Motor Lodge in Jersey City is technically a 2-star, but it is just as clean, if not cleaner, than the 3-stars I've stayed at in Newark (cleanliness is my main criteria, anyway). Rates are very reasonable for around here and not a hostel - less than $100/night. And it will only cost you $1.75 to get into Manhattan, since it is a short walk from 3 different PATH stations.

Also, it's a quick, convenient ride between the airport and Jersey City or Hoboken in a cab or by public transit, if you decide against a hotel in Newark.

I would advise against Newark because those hotels tend to be inconveniently situated in terms of access to Manhattan. There is only one PATH station in Newark, and most hotels are not near it. Most Newark hotels do offer shuttles, but then you are operating on their schedule instead of your schedule.
posted by lesli212 at 7:02 PM on September 9