Newark Continental Red-eye questions

[CUunderH2O]

We're heading out to Bonaire on Saturday, driving to Newark to catch the red-eye. Got a few questions for those who have taken this route before:

1. Where is a good place to park the car for a week that is safe and close to the airport? The airport long term rates seem high. Do we need to make reservations to park?

2. How early do we need to check in at the Continental Counter?

3. How busy is the airport on a Saturday evening, and how long would it take to get through security?

4. Is the duty free shop still open at that time?

5. Is there any place to grab a bite at the airport after getting through security?

6. How is traffic in NJ on a Saturday afternoon/evening? Any major highway construction going on that could delay arrival at the airport?

Any additional tips would be appreciated.

 

[spectrum]

We flew in from Portland Maine so some thngs I can't speak to.

The place wasn't even close to busy but people were obviously moving around.

Don't cut it close on time. I'd plan to be at the counter 2 hours before departure. Its not just you that needs to get on the plane. I'm sure you want your gear in the hold.

There is plenty of food on the far side of security but things started shutting down at 9:00 PM so stock up.

Do your best to sleep so you can make the most of Sunday. We all arrived unrested and asside from doing the orientation dive we took the day to scout things out. Do whatever it takes to get a good nap on the flight.

Where are you staying?

Pete

 

[Web Monkey]

We're heading out to Bonaire on Saturday, driving to Newark to catch the red-eye. Got a few questions for those who have taken this route before:

1. Where is a good place to park the car for a week that is safe and close to the airport? The airport long term rates seem high. Do we need to make reservations to park?

Leaving at your house and getting a ride from a friend would be nice. Doing anything around the airport is really awful and expensive.

2. How early do we need to check in at the Continental Counter?

Not sure. I flew in from Syracuse, and we actually had to go through security twice because the international terminal is in a different building (need to go outside and take a train to get there).

3. How busy is the airport on a Saturday evening, and how long would it take to get through security?

It took us about an hour, however your mileage may vary, since it depends entirely on staffing levels and traffic at all the other gates.

5. Is there any place to grab a bite at the airport after getting through security?

They all closed up after a while (around 11, I think). Bring munchies. you'll be happy you did if the flight is delayed and you're stuck in an empty airport with no open shops at 3am.

Any additional tips would be appreciated.

Bring a laptop and a bunch of DVDs to watch.

Terry

 

[reefdiva]

To add to the above information ...
Even though we were already checked in and had our boarding passes everyone had to check in a second time at the gate. If you did not you had to get out of line and do so once the boarding began.

Each seat had a blanket and pillow on it. I carry my own travel pillow and if you think you might get chilled (or don't like using someone else's blanket) you might want to bring your own.

Cabin lights were dimmed for sleep. Lights came up and an announcement about paperwork was made well over an hour before landing.

 

[RJP]

I fly out of Newark at least once a month for the past 20 years or so and always park at Avistar (McClellan St - they have two) right across Route 1 from the Airport. Their shuttle bus drops you right at the terminal.

Home

Feel free to tell them you work for J&J and get the corporate discount rate!

When you return simply call them when you arrive at the baggage claim and they come get you. When you get back to Avistar they will have your car waiting for you.

BTW - they will wash it and change the oil for you too, if you like!

 

[scubawife]

Another vote for Avistar. I've been using them for years (but I use the Haynes Ave location as it's the easier one for us). Print a discount coupon online. No real need to make a reservation at either of the Newark Avistar locations.

CO likes you to be there at least 2hrs prior even if you've checked in online the day before and already have your boarding pass. The airport isn't overly busy but there are several international flights departing on Sat and Sun nights so don't cut it too much closer then 90 minutes.

 

[CUunderH2O]

Thanks for all your tips & suggestions! Anyone know from which terminal the flight departs?

 

[sytech]

We're heading out to Bonaire on Saturday, driving to Newark to catch the red-eye. Got a few questions for those who have taken this route before:

1. Where is a good place to park the car for a week that is safe and close to the airport? The airport long term rates seem high. Do we need to make reservations to park?

Don't know.


2. How early do we need to check in at the Continental Counter?

Best to be 2 hrs. before

3. How busy is the airport on a Saturday evening, and how long would it take to get through security?

Quite quiet. That's what I liked about the late flight. Also, it shuts up a lot of people who'd be yapping because they will be sleeping.Getting through security is very easy at that time. 5-10 minutes max.




4. Is the duty free shop still open at that time?

Not sure.

5. Is there any place to grab a bite at the airport after getting through security?

Yes, there's a Pizza and sandwich counter in the Continental Terminal


6. How is traffic in NJ on a Saturday afternoon/evening? Any major highway construction going on that could delay arrival at the airport?

You don't really mean "New Jersey". You mean "that part of New Jersey near Newark airport" Not being a weekday it shouldn't be any problem.

Any additional tips would be appreciated.

Bonaire Immigration is a snap. Getting to your hotel room that early is weird but then you have the whole day. Rather do that than get to a destination by darkness.

 

[CUunderH2O]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

There was hardly any traffic on the way to Newark, which was really nice. We ended up getting a room & parking deal at the Ramada and showered and rested a bit before catching the shuttle to the airport. A room and parking for up to 2 weeks is $145, with free shuttle transfers.

There was no line at the Continental check-in, so no issues there. We had pre-printed our boarding passes so we did the self-check-in, which was fine except my home scale said one of my bags was 46 pounds but at the check-in it was reading 51.5 pounds, so I did some selective rearranging between bags and didn't end up paying for extra weight.

Security took all of 2 minutes; it was not busy at all.

All the duty free shops were closed, as were the restaurants. We got there at 9:45, so that's something to note. The only things open were a magazine shop that also had snack foods & drinks, and a Starbucks. Thankfully we had picked up some food before coming to the airport, so we didn't starve.

Didn't get much sleep on the plane, unfortunately, and even though our room was supposed to be ready for us, it wasn't, so that sucked. Still got some diving in on the first day, so that was nice.