Getting Around Elizabeth: A Visitor's Guide
Elizabeth sits in the heart of northern New Jersey, close to Newark and within easy reach of New York City. That location shapes how visitors move around: the city is well served by regional rail and local buses, and its biggest airport is practically on its doorstep. Here's what you need to know about each way of getting around.
Arriving by Air: Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the main airport for central and northern New Jersey, and part of the airport actually lies within Elizabeth's city limits. That makes it the natural gateway for anyone flying in.
- By train: Most NJ Transit trains stop at Newark Airport. Note that reaching the airport station costs an additional fee on top of your regular fare. If you're heading onward to New York City, the train is one of the easiest options.
- By bus: NJ Transit's 62 bus runs between Newark Airport and Elizabeth, and it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week — a useful option if you're arriving late or early.
- By taxi: Cabs are available from the airport, but this is the costly option compared with bus or train.
From Newark Airport, New York City is easily accessible by cab, bus, or train, so the airport works well as a base for exploring the wider region as well as Elizabeth itself.
Rail: NJ Transit and Amtrak Connections
Elizabeth has two train stations: Elizabeth Station, on W Grand Street, and North Elizabeth Station, at 1180 North Avenue. Both are served by New Jersey Transit.
- NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line both stop at the Elizabeth and North Elizabeth stations.
- Amtrak does not stop at Elizabeth. Most Amtrak trains stop nearby in Newark, where you can connect to an NJ Transit train to reach Elizabeth.
- Traveling by train is, by far, one of the best ways to get around other than driving or taking buses, thanks to the wide variety of destinations it puts within reach.
Buses and Local Public Transport
NJ Transit runs buses around Elizabeth, and Coach USA's ONE Bus also serves the area. This makes buses a practical way to move within the city and connect to neighboring communities.
- Not all buses run at night or on Sundays, so check schedules in advance if you're traveling late or on a weekend.
- The NJ Transit 62 bus links Elizabeth with Newark Airport around the clock.
Long-Distance Bus Travel
If you're arriving from farther afield, Greyhound Buslines is the best choice for long-distance bus travel. You may need to arrive in Newark first, but that's not a problem: Newark's close proximity to Elizabeth means you can easily board another bus or train to complete your journey. The New Jersey Transit bus system and Coach USA are also described as very reliable options.
By Car
Driving is a straightforward way to reach Elizabeth, and the city is a hub of several major roads.
- From the south: Take I-95 up the east coast, then the New Jersey Turnpike directly into Elizabeth, using Exits 13 or 13A.
- From Staten Island: Elizabeth can be accessed via the Goethals Bridge.
- Major roads serving the city: the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 95, Interstate 78, U.S. Route 1&9, U.S. Route 22, Route 27, Route 28, Route 82, and Route 439.
By Boat
At present there is no way for passengers to arrive in or depart from Elizabeth by ship — only marine and cargo ships can enter the Elizabeth port. Plans exist to develop a ferry system connecting Elizabeth with New York, but it is not yet in operation, so don't count on it for your trip.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- If you're flying in, the 62 bus is your round-the-clock link between the airport and Elizabeth; the train is a good alternative, just remember the extra airport station fee.
- Use Elizabeth or North Elizabeth station for NJ Transit rail connections; for Amtrak, head to Newark and transfer.
- Plan around bus schedules if you're traveling at night or on a Sunday, since not all routes run then.
- Drivers should aim for Turnpike Exits 13 or 13A when approaching from the south.