EWR Rental Car Guide: Newark Liberty International Airport
Renting a car at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at EWR that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at EWR
Rental cars are off-terminal at the EWR Rental Car Center reached by AirTrain (8-10 minutes total).
AirTrain is free with your airport ticket. Rental car center is the third stop.
EWR pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $60-$80 economy, $100-$160 SUV (cheaper than JFK or LGA).
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 11.25%, customer facility charge $5/day, NJ state tax 6.625%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at EWR actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at EWR
EWR hosts 9 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Payless
Best for premium service: Avis (busiest counter, fast pickup with Preferred)
Cheapest base rates: Off-airport in Linden or Elizabeth for cheaper rates
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
EWR-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
EWR is the cheapest of the three major NYC-area airports for rentals. Off-airport in NJ towns can save more for long trips.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Elizabeth (5 min) and Linden (10 min) for 20-30% cheaper rates.
How to save the most at EWR
- Compare across all 9 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at EWR.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at EWR?
Rental cars are off-terminal at the EWR Rental Car Center reached by AirTrain (8-10 minutes total). AirTrain is free with your airport ticket. Rental car center is the third stop.
What is the average rental car price at EWR?
$60-$80 economy, $100-$160 SUV (cheaper than JFK or LGA). Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at EWR?
Concession recovery 11.25%, customer facility charge $5/day, NJ state tax 6.625%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at EWR?
For premium fleet and reliability: Avis (busiest counter, fast pickup with Preferred). For cheapest base rates: Off-airport in Linden or Elizabeth for cheaper rates. Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from EWR?
EWR is the cheapest of the three major NYC-area airports for rentals. Off-airport in NJ towns can save more for long trips. Specifically: Elizabeth (5 min) and Linden (10 min) for 20-30% cheaper rates.
Are there any quirks to renting at EWR?
EWR rentals avoid NYC tolls. If your destination is NJ or PA, EWR is dramatically cheaper than JFK.