Connecting at Newark airport: changing terminals, customs and security again

Newark has three terminals, A, B and C, and a connection that changes terminals usually means leaving security, taking the free airport train and going through TSA again. The airport tells connecting passengers to allow extra time for that. Arriving from another country, you also clear customs and recheck your bags first.

How much time does the airport say you need?

Newark doesn't publish a minimum connection time. What it publishes:

• Airport train between terminals: under 20 minutes.
• Terminal A isn't on the train line directly. From the Terminal A train station it's a 15-minute covered walk, or a 5-minute shuttle that runs every 5 to 10 minutes from 4:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Late at night, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., the train serves Terminals B and C every 15 minutes.

On one ticket, the airline sold you a connection that meets its minimum and must rebook you if you miss it. Read is a 1-hour layover enough?

Changing terminals

1. Check your departure terminal on your boarding pass or airline app. Terminals are assigned by airline.
2. Take the free airport train, plus the walk or shuttle if you're going to or from Terminal A.
3. Go through TSA security at your departure terminal.

Some airlines run their own airside bus between terminals for their connecting passengers, so you don't go through security again. Ask your airline whether that applies to you.

Arriving from another country

The airport's steps:

1. Immigration and customs. Show your passport and answer a few questions.
2. Collect your checked bags at the carousels inside the customs area.
3. Recheck them. In Terminal B, at the baggage recheck station right after you exit. In Terminal C, at the check-in counters on Level 2 or Level 3.
4. Go through TSA security at your departing flight's terminal.

Read international to domestic connections.

Changes in 2026

From July 27 to November 13, 2026, the airport train doesn't run to the airport rail station on weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Service between terminals continues, so connections aren't affected.

Customs wait times

From October 2025 to September 2026, passengers arriving from abroad at EWR waited 18 minutes on average to clear passport control, according to CBP: 15 minutes for US citizens and 25 minutes for visitors. 3.0% waited more than an hour. The slowest arrival hour was 10 p.m.–11 p.m., averaging 26 minutes. These times don't include collecting bags or walking to your next gate. See US customs wait times by airport.

On-time record

From September 2025 to August 2026, 74.5% of scheduled arrivals at Newark (EWR) reached the gate on time, rank 19 of the 30 busiest US airports. 77.1% of departures left on time and 3.4% of departures were canceled. The largest share of delay minutes came from the air traffic system (non-extreme weather, heavy traffic, air traffic control). See the full US airport on-time ranking.

Follow the first flight

Add both flights to FlyingOver before you travel. You'll follow the first flight offline and see its estimated arrival, and with Premium, connection guidance shows whether your layover looks comfortable, whether you need to keep moving or whether you should go directly to the gate.