When I first landed in Newark, I didn’t expect the city’s light rail and metro-style system to become such an essential part of my journey. Many travelers see Newark merely as a gateway to New York City, but I quickly discovered that the city itself has a vibrant pulse, and the Newark Light Rail makes exploring it both affordable and straightforward. What follows is my own deep dive into the subway-style system here, filled with my experiences, small mistakes I made, and the tricks that eventually helped me move around the city like a local.
1. Start with the Basics: Understanding the Newark Light Rail
Newark doesn’t have a sprawling subway like New York City, but it does boast the Newark Light Rail, which functions as the city’s compact metro system. There are two main lines: the Broad Street Extension, connecting Newark Penn Station with Broad Street Station, and the longer Branch Brook Line, which stretches northward past universities and residential areas.
When I first stepped into the clean, bright station at Penn, I was struck by how easy it felt compared to New York. No loud chaos, no complicated maps—just simple lines to follow. If you’re new to Newark, start by picking up a small paper map at Penn Station or downloading the NJ Transit app, which works flawlessly for schedules and real-time updates.
2. Buy Your Ticket Before Boarding
My first rookie mistake was hopping onto a light rail car assuming I could pay onboard. I had just stepped off an Amtrak train at Penn Station, juggling my backpack and coffee, and thought the light rail would work like a city bus. Within minutes of sitting down, a conductor politely but firmly explained that tickets must be purchased at kiosks inside the station before boarding. Luckily, instead of a hefty fine for fare evasion, I was spared with just a warning and some friendly advice. It was a wake-up call: Newark’s system is simple, but you need to know the rules.
Tickets are inexpensive, usually just a few dollars for a single ride, and machines accept both cards and cash. The kiosks are easy to navigate once you actually stop to use them, with options clearly labeled for single rides, round-trips, and passes. For convenience, I quickly shifted to using NJ Transit’s mobile app, which lets you buy and activate tickets instantly from your phone. No more rushing to find exact change or queuing behind confused travelers—just a tap and I was ready to board.
For visitors staying several days, I strongly recommend purchasing a multi-day pass. It not only saves money—especially if you’re riding multiple times a day—but it also saves time and stress. On one of my trips, I bought a weekly pass and loved the freedom it gave me: I could hop on the light rail whenever I spotted an interesting mural, café, or park without worrying about ticket costs adding up. That pass easily paid for itself in three days of steady exploring.
3. Start Your Journey at Newark Penn Station
Almost every adventure on the Newark Light Rail begins at Penn Station, right in the heart of downtown. This station isn’t just a transit hub—it feels like the beating heart of the city. The main concourse has that old-world grandeur, with high ceilings and echoes of announcements bouncing off marble walls. It’s always buzzing, with travelers heading to Philadelphia on Amtrak, commuters boarding NJ Transit trains to suburban towns, or tourists catching PATH trains straight into Manhattan.
From Penn, navigating the light rail is refreshingly simple. The Broad Street Extension whisks you north in just a few minutes, while the longer Branch Brook Line takes you past universities, museums, and eventually into lush green parks. I loved how accessible it felt; the signage is clear, and even on my first day, I never felt lost.
If you’re planning to stay nearby, the area around Penn Station has some great hotel options. I’ve booked the TRYP by Wyndham for its modern rooms and easy access, and once stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton, where I appreciated the warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in after a long travel day. Both are just a short walk to the platforms. I usually book these hotels through Booking.com or Hotels.com, where I can filter for free breakfast or cancellation policies. On one occasion, I even found a last-minute deal on Expedia that dropped the rate by nearly 25%.
Penn Station is more than just a starting point—it’s where the rhythm of Newark’s travel truly begins. Every ride I took from here felt like opening the door to another side of the city waiting to be discovered.
4. Use the Light Rail to Reach Cultural Hotspots
One of the things I love most about the Newark Light Rail is how directly it connects you to cultural attractions. On the Branch Brook Line, I hopped off at Newark Museum of Art, which is just a short walk from the Washington Street stop. This museum has an incredible range of American and Tibetan art, and even a small planetarium that fascinated me as much as the kids in the audience.
Heading north, I found myself in Branch Brook Park, famous for its cherry blossoms in spring. Riding the light rail here saved me from the stress of parking, and for just a couple of dollars, I had an easy ride straight into one of Newark’s most beautiful spaces. Tickets to museum exhibits I booked through GetYourGuide, which often includes skip-the-line perks.
5. Schedule Around Peak Hours
While the Newark Light Rail is rarely overwhelming, rush hours—typically 7:30 to 9:00 AM and 5:00 to 6:30 PM—do bring crowds, especially with commuters traveling to and from the downtown business district. During one morning ride, I found myself squeezed between office workers clutching coffee cups and university students flipping through notebooks.
For a more relaxed ride, I recommend traveling mid-morning or early afternoon. Not only will you get a seat, but you’ll also have more space to take photos from the windows. Planning your travel times can also save you money on accommodations since staying slightly outside the busiest times and districts often yields cheaper hotel rates. I often check Expedia for package deals combining hotel and transit passes.
6. Pay Attention to Safety and Comfort
I felt safe riding Newark’s light rail, but like any urban transit system, awareness matters. I made sure to keep my bag zipped and stayed near other families or groups when traveling late in the evening. Stations are generally well-lit, and cars have cameras installed.
If you’re traveling with children, consider riding during daylight hours. On one weekend trip, I noticed families heading together to Branch Brook Park, strollers in tow, and the atmosphere was relaxed and community-oriented. Comfortable shoes are a must, as some station exits may require short walks through city blocks.
7. Take Advantage of Cheap Transfers
One of my favorite hacks was discovering that the light rail connects seamlessly with PATH trains and NJ Transit buses. This means you can move from Newark to Hoboken, Jersey City, or even directly into Manhattan with just one or two quick transfers.
For example, I once bought a ticket through the NJ Transit app that covered both my light rail ride and my commuter train to New York Penn Station, costing me significantly less than booking separate fares. Google Maps was my constant companion here, and I highly recommend using it to track exact connections and train times.
8. Explore Beyond Downtown Using the Broad Street Extension
The Broad Street Extension is just a short stretch, but it’s incredibly useful. It connects Newark Penn Station to Broad Street Station, where you can catch trains heading to northern New Jersey and beyond. On one trip, I rode this line specifically to visit the Newark Public Library, an architectural gem with exhibitions on local history.
Nearby, I also discovered small eateries tucked into side streets. I booked one dinner at a Portuguese restaurant through OpenTable, located just a five-minute walk from Broad Street Station. The convenience of stepping off the train and finding authentic cuisine was one of those little joys that made my trip memorable.
9. Combine the Light Rail with Walking Tours
The Newark Light Rail covers a compact footprint, which makes it ideal to combine with walking tours. After riding to Washington Street, I joined a guided walking tour of historic Newark, which I booked on Viator. The tour took me past old churches, art installations, and hidden murals that I might have missed otherwise.
Pairing short light rail rides with on-foot exploration gave me a deeper appreciation for Newark. The distances are manageable, and many districts—like the Ironbound—reward slow exploration with vibrant street life and incredible food options.
10. Save with Multi-Ride Passes and Travel Apps
For travelers spending several days in Newark, a multi-ride or unlimited pass is worth considering. I bought a weekly pass during one extended stay, and it paid for itself after just three days of riding. Not having to think about individual tickets gave me the freedom to hop on and off whenever I wanted.
Using apps like NJ Transit Mobile, Google Flights (to plan my overall trip to Newark), and Booking.com for lodging helped me coordinate everything in one streamlined plan. Platforms like Expedia and Hotels.com often bundle lodging with local transportation tips, which I found especially helpful when trying to stretch my budget without sacrificing convenience.
Riding the Newark Light Rail felt less like tackling a massive subway system and more like discovering a small, efficient key to the city. From cultural hotspots and beautiful parks to convenient connections with New York City, the metro lines here are the thread that ties Newark together. By following these ten tips, I managed to explore Newark comfortably, affordably, and with plenty of time to soak in its unique character.
