US airport lounges and the Newark airport bus

The short answer

These three products solve different problems at three different airports, so the choice is made by your itinerary, not by comparison. If you land at or fly from Newark and are staying in Manhattan, the Manhattan: Bus Transfer from/to Newark Airport is the transfer.[1] If you are flying out of Terminal C at Orlando International Airport, the Plaza Premium Lounge, Orlando International Airport Terminal C sells three hours in the lounge.[3] If you are on a domestic departure from Terminal E at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the Plaza Premium Lounge, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Terminal E does the same there.[4]

None of these is an attraction. They are travel services, and the listings leave some practical details open, which this guide names.

Newark Airport and Manhattan by bus

SkyGate describes a Newark Airport Express bus between Newark Airport and central Midtown Manhattan stops, with connections to subways, trains and buses on arrival. The listing's address is 1 Terminal C, Newark, NJ, so the airport end is in Newark, New Jersey.[1] Coach USA describes a Newark Airport Express that runs between EWR and Manhattan daily, but SkyGate's listing does not name its operator, so XTOUR does not say the two are the same.[2]

There are three options:

• Round trip between Newark Airport and Manhattan.[1]
• One-way ticket from Newark Airport to Manhattan.[1]
• One-way ticket from Manhattan to Newark Airport.[1]

Each option says the ticket is valid for any departure within 6 months from the time of purchase, and that you show your mobile voucher to the staff. One ticket type, Adult, is sold, with no age rules stated.[1] The evidence does not name the Manhattan stops or where to board at each airport terminal; XTOUR has not verified them.

XTOUR's reading: buy the one-way that matches the leg you need, or the round trip if you will make both journeys within six months; the option you choose decides the direction.

Plaza Premium Lounge at Orlando International Airport, Terminal C

The single option is three hours in the lounge. SkyGate's option lists freshly prepared meals, selected alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks and a kids' play area, and the page adds that shower facilities and certain alcoholic drinks may cost extra. The redemption address is Plaza Premium Lounge, Terminal C (across the Palm Court), Level 1 Lobby, Level 2 Lounge, Orlando International Airport, 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd.[3]

Whether this lounge is before or after security is not settled. SkyGate's general text says the lounge is in a restricted area that needs an onward boarding pass, but its own redemption address gives a lobby entrance, and the lounge operator's website refused XTOUR's read.[3] XTOUR has not verified the position, so confirm it before you plan your time around it. SkyGate's page asks you to check the opening hours on the official website before your visit.[3]

The ticket covers guests aged 2 to 99; SkyGate's listing says children under 2 go free, under-18s must be accompanied by a paying adult aged 18 or over, and children aged 2 to 11 may not use massage or spa services where offered.[3]

Plaza Premium Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth, Terminal E

The single option is three hours in the lounge for domestic departures in Terminal E. The redemption address is near Gate E31, Terminal E, 2400 Aviation Dr. SkyGate's listing says the lounge is in the restricted area for passengers who have cleared DFW domestic security, and that an onward boarding pass is required. It adds that guests with three-hour access may enter up to 3.5 hours before their scheduled departure.[4]

The option lists freshly prepared meals, selected alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks, and the page says certain alcoholic drinks may cost extra. The child rules are the same as at Orlando: under-2s free, under-18s accompanied by a paying adult aged 18 or over.[4] The lounge operator's website refused XTOUR's read, so these details come from SkyGate only.

How to choose

• Arriving at or leaving from Newark and staying in Manhattan: the Manhattan: Bus Transfer from/to Newark Airport, in the direction you need.
• A long wait before a flight from Orlando's Terminal C: the Plaza Premium Lounge, Orlando International Airport Terminal C, once you have confirmed where it sits.
• A domestic flight from DFW Terminal E: the Plaza Premium Lounge, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Terminal E, entering no earlier than 3.5 hours before departure.[4]

Before you book

• Keep your boarding pass ready for the DFW lounge.[4]
• Check the lounges' opening hours on the official website, as SkyGate advises.[4][3]
• Newark bus tickets are valid for six months from purchase.[1]
• Confirm the Manhattan stop on your voucher; the listing does not name the stops.