Getting to Princeton

Princeton is small campus town in the center of New Jersey, which is approximately equidistant from both New York and Philadelphia.

The University has a webpage dedicated to explaining how to reach the campus, and one specifically focused on the airports accessible in the region.

Recommended Solution

If your concern is the easiest and most comfortable solution, then it is probably to land in Newark (which may occasionally be a bit more expensive than a flight to JFK), and then to take an Uber or Lyft to Princeton (30 min. trip, costing ~$40 unless under surge pricing).

This is particularly recommended if you are staying at the hotel, as the dorm are near the train station, but the hotel is not.

The Dinky (and Princeton Junction)

Alternatively, you may take public rail transportation, through NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor line—which connects all four airports to Princeton Junction (the Philadelphia airport, through a connection in Trenton; JFK airport, through a connection in New York Penn).

The Northeast Corridor line has been the busiest passenger rail line in the United States since 2013. It usually is a comfortable way to travel between Princeton to Manhattan, however it has recently had a series a severe problems (including two derailments) that have caused major outages and delays. These problems mainly affect the tunnel between NJ and NY; but this sometimes has repercussion across the entire line. (Although service from Newark is expected to be normal by the time you make your way to Princeton, you might consider alternate modes of transportation.)

The trip from Newark Liberty Airport to Princeton Junction costs ~$16. A ticket may be bought at any station, at Newark airport, and online through their mobile MyTix app.

Once you’ve arrived at Princeton Junction, you will then be able to Uber/Lyft to Princeton (~$7) or take the Dinky ($4, sometimes sold together with the ticket from Newark), which is the shortest passenger rail lines in the US.

To welcome you in Princeton, you can find right off the track, the Dinky Bar which we quite highly recommend. The bar is designed to be open whenever the train is operating, so you can grab a bit of cured ham, wine or a (delicious) cheeseburger at any time.

Do not take taxis at Princeton Junction. (Because of their surprising fee schedule, it may cost you more to be driven the 5 km from Princeton Junction to Princeton, than the 70+ km from Newark to Princeton Junction.)