Quick Summary:
- Follow ‘Ground Transportation’ signs, then find the marked rental shuttle stop.
- Confirm your terminal and rental company, some use a shared shuttle.
- Allow 20 to 35 minutes from arrivals to keys, longer at peaks.
- If you land late, use on-airport help points and backup transport.
Landing at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and heading into New York often starts with one practical question, how do you get from arrivals to the rental car pick-up? At EWR, most car hire pick-ups are not inside the arrivals hall. Instead, you exit the terminal, follow ground transport signage, and take a dedicated rental shuttle to the consolidated rental facilities. The exact walk to the shuttle stop varies slightly by terminal, but the process is consistent and well signposted.
This guide walks you step by step from the moment you enter arrivals, to finding the correct shuttle bay, to what happens when you reach the rental facility. It also covers what to do if your flight lands late, the desk is closed, or you miss the last shuttle.
If you are comparing providers in advance, Hola Car Rentals has a Newark landing page that helps you review options for EWR car hire: car hire at Newark Airport.
Before you leave arrivals: do these three checks
1) Confirm your terminal. EWR has three passenger terminals, A, B, and C. Your airline and gate determine your terminal, but international arrivals can sometimes involve a transfer. Look at airport screens, your boarding pass, or your baggage reclaim carousel information.
2) Confirm whether your rental is “on-airport” via shuttle. Most major brands use the airport’s rental shuttle system to reach their desks and car parks. If your confirmation mentions “shuttle to car rental facility” or similar wording, you will follow the steps below.
3) Keep key details handy. Have your driving licence, payment card, and booking reference accessible before you reach the desk. This reduces time at pick-up, which matters if you land late.
Step-by-step: Newark arrivals to rental car shuttle
Step 1: Exit into the public arrivals area. After landing, follow signs for Arrivals / Baggage Claim. Collect your luggage, then proceed to the public arrivals hall. If you are arriving internationally, complete immigration and customs first, then you will come out into arrivals.
Step 2: Follow signs for Ground Transportation. In every terminal, you will see overhead signage for Ground Transportation. Follow these rather than general “Exit” signage, because it directs you towards the correct kerbside zones for buses and shuttles.
Step 3: Go to the designated shuttle pick-up kerb. Once outside, stay on the departures or arrivals roadway level indicated by the signs for shuttles. Look specifically for “Rental Car Shuttle” signs or boards listing rental companies. The shuttle stops are typically grouped with other airport buses, so take a moment to read the bay numbers and the shuttle identifiers.
Step 4: Check the shuttle branding and ask if unsure. Some shuttles are clearly branded by rental company, while others are shared. If you are not certain, ask the kerbside attendant or the driver before boarding. Say the company name and ask whether it stops at your rental desk.
Step 5: Board the correct shuttle and keep your luggage close. Shuttles have luggage racks. Keep essentials in a smaller bag with you. The ride time is usually short, but traffic on the airport loop can add minutes.
Step 6: Arrive at the rental facility and locate your desk. At the rental centre, follow indoor signs to your company’s counter or self-service kiosk. If you have a loyalty number or online check-in, use the dedicated queue if available.
Step 7: Get your vehicle and do a two-minute check. Before leaving the car park, adjust mirrors, confirm fuel type, and take quick photos of existing marks. If you are driving to New York, set your navigation before moving off to avoid wrong turns inside the airport roads.
Terminal-by-terminal guidance: where to go outside
The airport signage is the main tool, but it helps to know what to expect in each terminal. The key idea is always the same, exit arrivals, follow Ground Transportation, then find the rental shuttle stop on the kerb.
Terminal A: After baggage claim, follow Ground Transportation to the kerbside. Terminal A can feel more spread out than others, so allow a few extra minutes to reach the shuttle bay. Look for the dedicated shuttle signage, and verify the company name on the bus before boarding.
Terminal B: Terminal B serves many international flights. After customs, you exit into the public arrivals area. Ground Transportation signs guide you to the kerbside. Because Terminal B can be busy at peak arrival banks, it is worth stepping back, reading the bay signage carefully, and joining the right queue rather than the nearest one.
Terminal C: Terminal C is heavily used by United. Follow Ground Transportation from arrivals and look for the rental shuttle stop along the kerb. Terminal C’s kerb can be crowded, so stand where the rental shuttle sign is posted rather than where traffic happens to be slow.
How long it usually takes from arrivals to driving away
For planning, a realistic estimate helps. For most travellers, the total time from stepping into the arrivals hall to leaving the rental facility is typically 20 to 35 minutes. Add time if you have checked luggage, arrive during a busy wave, or need extra documentation checks.
Breakdown as a guide:
Walk from baggage claim to shuttle stop: 5 to 10 minutes, depending on terminal and crowds.
Waiting for the shuttle: often 5 to 15 minutes, longer late at night.
Shuttle ride: commonly 5 to 10 minutes.
Desk, paperwork, and car handover: 10 to 25 minutes depending on queues.
If you want to compare options by brand for Newark, these Hola Car Rentals pages can help you narrow down the type of car hire you need: Budget car rental Newark and Dollar car rental Newark.
What to do if you land late or miss the last shuttle
Late arrivals happen due to delays, long taxi times, or slow immigration queues. The right response depends on what is closed, the shuttle, the rental desk, or both. Work through these steps in order.
1) Check whether shuttles are still running. Some airports run rental shuttles with reduced frequency overnight rather than stopping entirely. If you do not see a shuttle after a reasonable wait, check posted notices at the bay or ask an airport staff member.
2) Call the rental company using the number on your confirmation. Do this while you are still in the terminal or at the kerb, not after you have waited a long time outside. Ask two things, whether they can hold the vehicle, and whether there is a late pick-up process. Some locations can leave keys with security, or move you to a 24-hour desk, but only if you notify them.
3) Use airport help points and information desks. If you cannot reach the company, ask at the terminal information desk or a kerbside attendant. They can confirm where the rental shuttles stop and whether service is operating. If you feel uncertain about where to stand, this is the fastest way to avoid missing the correct bay.
4) If the desk is closed, choose a safe, practical fallback. If it is genuinely too late to collect the car, the safest plan is to travel onwards by an alternate method and collect the car the next day. Consider staying near the airport or travelling into New York by other transport, then returning when desks reopen. Keep receipts if your rental terms allow reimbursement for specific disruption scenarios, but do not assume this without checking.
5) If you already paid, ask about re-timing rather than cancelling. Many issues are solved by updating the pick-up time to the next morning. The key is to communicate before the booking is marked as a no-show.
If you are travelling with a larger group, more luggage, or equipment that makes late-night transfers harder, you may prefer a larger vehicle class. This page can help you compare options: van hire at Newark EWR.
Tips to make the shuttle and pick-up smoother
Pack your essentials for the desk. Keep your licence, card used for deposit, and reservation details in an easy-to-reach place. If additional drivers are joining, they should have their licences ready too.
Set expectations for New York driving. From EWR into New York you may face tolls, heavy traffic, and complex junctions. Confirm whether your car hire includes toll coverage options, and plan your route before you leave the rental facility.
Watch for similarly named shuttles. The kerb may host hotel, employee, and parking shuttles. Always confirm you are boarding a rental car shuttle, and preferably the one serving your company.
Allow extra time during peak periods. Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and holiday peaks can increase shuttle waits and counter queues. If you have a time-sensitive plan in New York, build in buffer time.
Newark vs New York airports: avoid a common mix-up
Many travellers landing at Newark are heading to New York City, but Newark Airport is in New Jersey. That matters mainly for pick-up logistics and your onward route, not for the simplicity of finding the shuttle. Just make sure your reservation is for EWR, not JFK or another New York airport.
If you are comparing airports, Hola Car Rentals also has pages for New York’s JFK: car rental at JFK. Keeping the airport code aligned with your flight avoids arriving at the wrong pick-up location.
FAQ
Q: Where do I go from arrivals to reach the rental car shuttle at Newark? A: After baggage claim, follow Ground Transportation signs to the kerbside, then stand at the marked Rental Car Shuttle stop and confirm the company name with the driver.
Q: Is the rental car pick-up inside the terminal at EWR? A: Usually not. Most car hire desks and vehicles are reached by a short shuttle ride from the terminal to the rental facility.
Q: How long should I allow from arrivals to picking up the car? A: Plan for 20 to 35 minutes in normal conditions, and longer if you have checked luggage, arrive at a busy time, or face immigration queues.
Q: What if my flight arrives late and the rental desk is closed? A: Call the number on your confirmation as soon as you can, ask about late pick-up or key collection, and if unavailable, arrange safe onward travel and collect the next day.
Q: What should I do if I miss the last rental shuttle? A: Confirm whether shuttles are still running on reduced frequency, speak to airport staff at the kerb or information desk, and if service has ended, use alternative transport and re-time your pick-up.
