Car Rental at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Renting a car at Newark Airport is one of the most convenient ways to explore New York, New Jersey, and surrounding areas. The airport offers a wide range of rental companies, vehicle types, and pricing options, making it suitable for both short city trips and long-distance travel.

All rental car companies are located at the Rental Car Center (Station P3), which is easily accessible via the AirTrain from all terminals. The AirTrain runs frequently and connects Terminals A, B, and C in just a few minutes.

Allow at least 30–60 minutes from landing to reaching the rental counter, especially during peak hours.


Prices and Most Rented Cars

Car rental prices at Newark Airport vary depending on demand, vehicle type, and booking time:

  • Economy cars: from $30–$60/day
  • Average price: $65–$85/day 
  • SUVs and premium vehicles: $80–$130/day

Booking at least 1–2 days in advance can significantly reduce prices. 

Most Popular Car Types

  • Intermediate cars (most popular – ~44%) 
  • Compact cars for city driving
  • SUVs for families and road trips

Popular models include Toyota Corolla and Toyota RAV4. 

Insurance Explained

Main Types of Coverage

  • CDW / LDW: Covers damage to the rental vehicle
  • Liability Insurance: Covers damage to third parties
  • Personal Accident Insurance: Medical coverage
  • Theft Protection: Covers vehicle theft

Many credit cards already include basic coverage, so you may not need to purchase extra insurance.

Additional insurance can cost between $13–$30 per day

Best Destinations by Car from Newark

  • New York City (30–45 min)
  • Jersey City & Hoboken (20 min)
  • Philadelphia (1h 30m)
  • Atlantic City (2h)
  • Upstate New York (2–4h)

Be aware of toll roads around NYC — ask your rental company about toll payment systems.

Car Rental Comparison

Company Avg Price / Day Customer Rating Best For
Enterprise $65–$90 9.1 Best overall service
National $70–$95 8.8 Business travelers
Alamo $60–$85 8.7 Families
Hertz $65–$100 8.5 Premium vehicles
Avis $60–$95 7.8 Wide availability
Thrifty $50–$75 8.0 Budget travelers

Estimated Waiting Times by Company

Company Type Average Wait Time Notes
Major brands (Hertz, Avis) 10–25 min Faster with online check-in
Mid-range (Alamo, National) 15–30 min Good balance
Budget companies 20–45 min Longer queues possible
Peak times 30–90 min Fridays, holidays

Rental Car Process Timeline

Step Estimated Time
Arrival → AirTrain 10–15 min
AirTrain to P3 5–10 min
Queue at counter 10–40 min
Car pickup 10–15 min
Total 45–90 min

 Join loyalty programs (Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club, etc.) to skip queues and go directly to your car — this can save up to 30–60 minutes at busy times.

Car rental companies

In Newark Airport you can find the following car rental companies:

ACE

ACE

Contact: +1 866-551-8267
Website: www.acerentacar.com
Location: Out of the airport
Alamo

Alamo

Contact: +1 844-727-2984
Website: www.alamo.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
Avis

Avis

Contact: +1 973-961-4300
Website: www.avis.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
Budget

Budget

Contact: +1 973-961-2990
Website: www.budget.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
Dollar

Dollar

Contact: +1 866-434-2226
Website: www.dollar.com
Location: The Rental Car Center

Drivo

Contact: +1 855-550-0008
Website: drivo.com
Location: Out of the airport
Enterprise

Enterprise

Contact: +1 844-727-2982
Website: www.enterprise.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
Hertz

Hertz

Contact: +1 973-621-2000
Website: www.hertz.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
National

National

Contact: +1 844-727-2983
Website: www.nationalcar.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
Payless

Payless

Contact: +1 973-242-2124
Website: www.paylesscar.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
Rent A Wreck

Rent A Wreck

Contact: +1 908-288-7663
Website: www.rentawreck.com
Location: Out of the airport
Sixt

Sixt

Contact: +1 888-749-8227
Website: www.sixt.com
Location: The Rental Car Center
Thrifty

Thrifty

Contact: +1 973-824-2003
Website: www.thrifty.com
Location: The Rental Car Center

Location and Pick-up Process

Where to Pick Up Your Car

  • Follow signs for AirTrain after baggage claim
  • Take AirTrain to Station P3 (Rental Car Center)
  • Walk to your company counter and vehicle lot

The total time from plane to driving away is usually 45–90 minutes depending on queues and arrival time. 

Return Process

Returning a rental car can take 45–60 minutes, including inspection and transfer back to the terminal.

Car Rental Newark Airport
Car rental offices location at EWR.