Philadelphia vs Newark: The Ultimate Airport Showdown for Mercer County Travelers
Living in Mercer County, New Jersey puts you in a unique position – you’re perfectly positioned between two major airports that serve the greater New York-Philadelphia region. But when it comes to choosing between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which option truly serves Mercer County residents best? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
Distance and Accessibility: A Tale of Two Routes
Philadelphia International Airport is 46 miles from Mercer County, while Newark Liberty International Airport is 47 miles away – making them virtually equidistant from your home base. This one-mile difference means your choice shouldn’t be based solely on proximity, but rather on other crucial factors like traffic patterns, transportation options, and overall convenience.
For Mercer County travelers, the drive from central NJ to Philly airport is very easy, taking the Walt Whitman bridge to 95. Many residents find the drive back to NJ so easy, you are 10 minutes to the WW bridge and then the NJ turnpike. However, some travelers don’t like driving out of the Philadelphia airport in the dark to get to I95/NJTPK, as they always get lost and wind up in the middle of small towns.
Cost Comparison: Your Wallet Will Notice the Difference
When it comes to airfare, the numbers tell a compelling story. Average domestic airfare out of PHL ran $365 in the third quarter of 2024, which is a dollar cheaper than the national average. In contrast, Newark Liberty International Airport averages $403 for domestic flights.
For international travel, Newark airport took second place for affordability with a total of 208 deals and an average round trip ticket price of $460, while Philadelphia International Airport was ranked in the top 10 most affordable airports for international flights. However, JFK and Newark were the top two cheapest airports for international flights in the country.
The savings can be substantial – some travelers can save around $500 by flying out of Newark, and many consider this a significant savings worth the extra effort.
Airport Experience and Customer Satisfaction
Both airports have their challenges when it comes to passenger satisfaction. Newark Liberty International Airport ranked lowest with a score of 719 among nearly two dozen mega-airports in customer satisfaction surveys. Newark is listed in the mega airport category and Philadelphia is listed in the large category of airports, and both airports are a hassle.
However, Philadelphia has been making significant improvements. PHL now features a Chase Sapphire Lounge that is simply stunning and makes flying out of Terminal D an absolute joy, and American Airlines just upped its game with a massive twin lounge upgrade in Terminal A spanning 25,000 square feet.
Transportation Infrastructure and Connections
Newark offers more robust public transportation connections, with NJTransit train/airtrain options from Central NJ, or park/ride at a local hotel. For Philadelphia, it’s a quick 15 minute taxi to downtown, or a less expensive 22 minutes ride by train.
The key advantage of Philadelphia for Mercer County residents is its simplicity – you’re dealing with one direct route rather than multiple transportation connections that Newark often requires.
The Professional Transportation Solution
Rather than wrestling with parking hassles, traffic concerns, or public transportation schedules, many savvy Mercer County travelers are turning to professional transportation services. Airport Transfers Mercer County, NJ offers a comprehensive solution that eliminates the stress of airport logistics entirely.
Jersey Car and Limo, a New Jersey-based professional chauffeured ground transportation service, understands the unique needs of Mercer County travelers. The company provides professional and reliable airport transfer services to all major, regional and private airports within the service area, offering a diverse fleet of late-model luxury sedans, SUV’s and Executive mini-coaches and vans, at the most affordable rates.
What sets Jersey Car and Limo apart is their commitment to customer service. They don’t charge any booking fees, offer customer support online 24/7, and you can contact them at any hour of the day. They provide pick and drop services from Newark Airport, Philadelphia Airport, and Trenton-Mercer Airport, giving you flexibility regardless of which airport offers the best flight deals.
The Verdict: It Depends on Your Priorities
For Mercer County travelers, the choice between Philadelphia and Newark ultimately comes down to your specific needs:
- Choose Philadelphia if: You prioritize convenience, shorter ground transportation times, and generally lower domestic airfare costs
- Choose Newark if: You’re willing to navigate more complex logistics for potentially significant savings on international flights
- Choose professional transportation if: You want to eliminate the hassles entirely and arrive relaxed and on time
The reality is that both airports serve Mercer County well, but your travel experience can be dramatically improved by partnering with a reliable ground transportation service. Whether you require chauffeured ground transportation service for business or pleasure, experienced chauffeurs will ensure your itinerary is completed in a timely, discreet and comfortable manner, while saving you the most on all your ground transportation needs.
In the end, the “better” airport is the one that gets you to your destination safely, on time, and within budget – and sometimes that means letting the professionals handle the logistics while you focus on what matters most: your journey ahead.