Do NYC Taxis Have to Go to Newark Airport?

Yes. Newark Liberty Airport is on the short list of places outside the five boroughs that a NYC taxi or green cab driver must not refuse. TLC rule §80-20(a)(1) covers any destination in New York City, Westchester or Nassau counties, or Newark Airport. The fare is the meter plus a $20 surcharge plus tolls both ways, and you must explain that before you start.

The Newark fare, step by step

A simple way to say it before you start: "The meter runs the whole way. At Newark there is a $20 surcharge, and the tolls there and for my trip back are added." Saying it out loud protects you if the passenger later disputes the total. Keep the receipt details accurate: the receipt must list tolls, surcharges and extras (80-16(d)).

Charging more than this — for example, a made-up "Newark flat rate" or "double the meter" — is an overcharge with mandatory penalties. If you overcharge by $10 or more, rule 80-02(e)(1) requires revocation. See TLC overcharging rules.

What a refusal costs

Refusing a Newark trip without a valid reason falls under the mandatory refusal penalties in §80-02(e):

Asking a passenger's destination before they are seated — to screen out Newark trips, for example — is a separate refusal violation under 80-20(a)(4), with the same mandatory penalties. More in service refusal rules and the 80-20(a)(1) violation page.

Newark vs. Westchester and Nassau

The same mandatory-destination rule covers Westchester and Nassau counties, but the fare works differently there: the meter amount for the part of the trip inside the city plus twice the meter amount for the part outside it, plus tolls both ways (80-17(f)(2)). You must tell the passenger when you cross the city line so they can check the meter. Newark is the only one with a flat $20 surcharge instead.

The long-shift exception

Rule §80-20(b)(8) lets you refuse if the destination is Newark (or Nassau or Westchester) and you have been operating the vehicle for more than eight hours of any continuous 24-hour period. TLC's passenger FAQ describes the long-shift exception in different terms. In a hearing, the rule text is what the judge applies, so read the current rule book and be ready to show your trip records if you rely on this exception.

Coming back

You may not solicit or cruise for passengers at Newark (80-19(a)(4)(i)). The rules make the passenger responsible for your return tolls (80-17(f)(3)(iii)).

How many trips go to Newark

TLC trip records only publish drop-offs at Newark, since it is in New Jersey:

Yellow taxi drop-offs at Newark were about 94,000 in 2025, down from about 176,000 in 2019, while app-based FHV drop-offs grew to about 1.76 million.

For more about the airport itself, see Newark Airport. Yellow cab drivers can find more in our yellow taxi driver guide.