AirTrain Newark closure, August 26 to 27: what to know
AirTrain Newark is fully closed from August 26 to 27 for a systemwide maintenance shutdown at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Transfers between terminals, parking, the rental car center, and the NJ Transit, Amtrak Rail Link will take longer as riders shift to free shuttle buses. The Port Authority advises allowing 20 to 30 extra minutes for connections, with rideshare or taxis a smart fallback for tight schedules. Expect curbside crowding and longer headways than normal during the outage.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Terminal, parking, and Rail Link transfers at EWR will be slower during the AirTrain Newark closure.
- Travel impact: Free buses bridge terminals, P4, and the Rail Link, add 20 to 30 minutes.
- What's next: Rolling maintenance continues as the replacement AirTrain targets passenger service later this decade.
- Consider rideshare or taxis if your rail connection is tight.
- Watch signage and staff for shuttle pickup points at each terminal.
Snapshot
From Tuesday, August 26, 900 p.m., to Wednesday, August 27, 730 a.m., and again during posted windows on August 27, AirTrain Newark will not operate, pausing all train movements between Terminals A, B, and C, parking areas, the rental car center, and the Rail Link Station for NJ Transit and Amtrak. The airport is substituting free shuttle buses linking the Rail Link and terminals, plus P4 for parking and hotel shuttles. Travelers should budget 20 to 30 extra minutes for transfers, particularly at bag claim and curbside where lines can build. If you typically ride NJ Transit or Amtrak to the airport, consider going directly to your departure terminal by taxi or rideshare to avoid an extra transfer.
Background
The shutdown is part of ongoing maintenance and early works for the AirTrain Newark replacement, a multiyear Port Authority program that will swap the 1996-era system for a modern, 2.5-mile automated train. The project adds new stations, guideway, and a maintenance facility sized for current and future demand, with passenger service expected around 2030. Until then, periodic overnight or multi-day service reductions will continue to appear on the airport's construction advisories, often with bus bridging and wayfinding support. AirTrain Newark ties together EWR's terminals, the consolidated rental car facility, parking, and the Rail Link, where riders connect to NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line, and to Amtrak's Northeast Regional and Keystone Service.
Latest Developments
Free buses replace trains during the AirTrain Newark closure
During the August 26 to 27 shutdown, trains will not operate between any stations. Shuttle buses are replacing service between the Rail Link Station, Terminals A, B, and C, and Parking P4, with posted pickup zones at each terminal curb. Expect longer door-to-door times than the train, plus occasional queues at the curbs during banked flight periods. If you are retrieving a rental car at the consolidated facility, add extra time for the bus transfer from your terminal. For rail arrivals, check NJ Transit or Amtrak estimated times before you commit to the shuttle, and consider a direct taxi or rideshare from Newark Liberty International Airport Station if your connection is under 45 minutes. For broader day-of flying conditions, see our FAA Daily Air Traffic Report, August 25, 2025 and our pre-brief, Newark AirTrain cuts Aug 24 to 25, shutdown Aug 26 to 27.
Analysis
For departing travelers, the biggest pinch points will be Terminal A curb space and the rental car center, where bus headways and luggage loading slow the flow. If you are checking bags or traveling with family, shift your airport arrival 30 minutes earlier than usual. United's Terminal C sees large bank waves, so expect peaks at C curbside and at the shared Rail Link shuttle stop. If you normally connect from NJ Transit or Amtrak, weigh the time tradeoff of the free bus against a taxi or rideshare from the Rail Link to your terminal, especially during late afternoon and evening push periods. Arriving travelers should factor in the shuttle ride before committing to tight dinner or event reservations in Manhattan or North Jersey. Ride-hail pickups may surge in price during the heaviest windows; yellow or local taxis can be competitive for short hops to Newark, Elizabeth, or hotels near the airport. Finally, keep an eye on signage; the Port Authority typically adjusts pickup zones during construction to ease congestion.
Final Thoughts
EWR will move, but not fast, during the AirTrain Newark closure on August 26 to 27. Free buses keep terminals, parking, the rental car center, and the Rail Link connected, yet each transfer adds time and uncertainty. Shift your schedule earlier, travel with bags consolidated, and consider a direct street-side option if your rail link is tight. With awareness and an extra buffer, you can sidestep the worst of the slowdown during the AirTrain Newark closure.