PANYNJ Holiday Travel Advisory

On Dec 21, 2022

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that nearly 11 million air passengers and vehicles are expected to use its airports and vehicular crossings from Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, through Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

The agency estimates that nearly 7 million vehicles will use its bridges and tunnels over that 11-day period, which would be similar to vehicular volume over the same pre-pandemic holiday period in 2019 in keeping with recent traffic trends. All lane closures for non-emergency construction at its crossings will be suspended through this holiday travel period.

Nearly 4 million air passengers are expected to use the agency’s airports during the same 11-day period, which would be approximately 95% of total passengers that traveled by air during the same holiday period in pre-pandemic 2019, when nearly 4.3 million travelers used Port Authority’s airports during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Volume at Newark Liberty International airport is expected to be particularly robust this holiday travel season with the number of domestic passengers anticipated to surpass 2019 levels by 2%.

With the return of higher traffic volumes, the Port Authority strongly encourages all travelers to allow for additional travel time. Domestic air travelers should arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance of their departure time and international air travelers should arrive at the airport at least three hours in advance of their departure times.

All travelers are strongly advised to check the Port Authority’s air travel tips for information on preparing for their trips, including how to find real-time wait time information for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security lines, information on parking lot availability, AirTrain maps and schedules, directions for public transit and for-hire vehicle information. The Port Authority encourages anyone going to the airports to make parking reservations ahead of time or plan to take public transit.

Airports & AirTrain:

• At all hours, free shuttle buses operate between all LaGuardia Airport terminals for passengers and employees making terminal connections.
• AirTrain JFK customers are strongly encouraged to purchase or refill their MetroCards in advance to avoid lines at fare machines.

Bridges & Tunnels:

• From 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, non-emergency construction work is suspended at all Port Authority crossings, including overnight closures related to the Superstorm Sandy repair and resiliency project at the Holland Tunnel.

Midtown Bus Terminal & George Washington Bus Station:

• Customers should check for the most updated trip departure times and itineraries with their individual bus carriers, some of which may be operating holiday service or reduced schedules.

PATH:

• Train service will operate on PATH’s regular Saturday schedule on the following days: Christmas Day and on New Year’s Eve. The Journal Square to 33 St (via Hoboken) and Newark to World Trade Center lines will operate. For PATH service schedules during major holidays, click here.
• Visit www.panynj.gov/StayOnTrack or download the PATH mobile app, RidePath.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

The Port Authority continues to follow the guidance of the New York state and New Jersey public health authorities with respect to mask mandates at its public transportation facilities. Per current New York and New Jersey public health guidance, masks are no longer required at the agency’s New York and New Jersey facilities, but masks are now optional and welcome for all who choose to wear them.

Masks also are no longer required on the interstate PATH system, including stations and platforms.

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