Two-Year Turf Certificate: Travel and Housing

Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey is the closest airport to Rutgers University and is a 30 minute drive from campus. The next closest airports are John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York state. Though slightly farther, you may be able to find cheaper airfare if you travel through Philadelphia International Airport or Atlantic City International Airport.

Websites for each are listed below with driving travel time estimates based on distance. Each trip may take longer depending on traffic.

• EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport – 30 minute drive to campus
• JFK – John F. Kennedy International Airport – 1 hour drive to campus
• LGA – LaGuardia Airport – 1 hour drive to campus
• PHL – Philadelphia International Airport – 1.25 hour drive to campus
• ACY – Atlantic City International Airport – 1.75 hour drive to campus

The New Brunswick train station, on Albany Street, is the closest to Rutgers Cook campus. It is a stop on NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor line. Metropark station, in Iselin, NJ, is a short drive from campus. It is a main stop on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line.

New Jersey Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line will bring you directly to the New Brunswick station with both local and express service from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Trenton, NJ. For more information, visit the NJ Transit website.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) will bring you from Philadelphia to Trenton, where you can connect to New Jersey Transit. For more information, visit the SEPTA website.

Amtrak provides limited direct service to New Brunswick, however you can connect to New Jersey Transit trains from Metropark (Iselin, NJ), New York City and Trenton. For more information, visit the Amtrak website.

Taking the Train from the Airport

• From Newark International Airport or Atlantic City International Airport, you can take a NJ Transit train on the Northeast Corridor line directly to the New Brunswick station.
• From John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport, you can take an airtrain, subway, or taxi to New York Penn Station, where you can then take a NJ Transit train on the Northeast Corridor line directly to the New Brunswick station.
• From Philadelphia International Airport, you can take a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority train to Trenton, where you can then take a NJ Transit train on the Northeast Corridor line directly to the New Brunswick station.

New Jersey Transit buses provide regular daily service from New York, Philadelphia, and throughout New Jersey.

Classes for the Two-Year Certificate Program are held in multiple locations and public transportation is not available. If you do not have a car to get to and from class each day, you can rent one, carpool with other students (which is common), stay in a one of the facilities that offers a shuttle service, or make other arrangements for daily transportation.

If you are flying, you can easily rent a car at the airport.

The hotels listed below are all within a few minutes driving distance from Rutgers Cook Campus. Prices listed below may or may not include taxes. Please contact the facility directly for the most up-to-date prices.

SureStay Hotel by Best Western

Contact: Rupal Shah, 732-238-4900 or ebrunswickhotel@yahoo.com

• Located in East Brunswick, approximately 7 miles to Cook Campus
• Single room (1 bed): $92.26 per night (plus taxes) / $633.85 per week (plus taxes)
• Complimentary continental breakfast
• Free Wi-Fi
• Microwave and refrigerator in each unit
• Exercise facility
• Free local and long distance phone calls within the continental US
• Walking distance to mall, movie theater, and many restaurants

Comfort Suites

Contact Michelle or Parth, 732-967-1505 or comfortsuites161@gmail.com

• Located in East Brunswick, approximately 2 miles to Cook Campus
• All suites (1 or 2 beds): $90 to $95 per night / $45 per student with double occupancy
• Complimentary hot breakfast
• Complimentary local phone calls and weekday newspaper
• Microwave and refrigerator in each unit
• Fitness center
• Business center
• No smoking
• Wi-Fi available
• On-site parking

Holiday Inn

Contact Debbie at 908-753-5500, Ext 611

• Located in South Plainfield, approximately 7.7 miles to Cook Campus
• Studio Suite (1 or 2 beds): $129-139 per night
• Complimentary hot breakfast buffet
• Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access
• Free parking
• Large work desk area, refrigerator, and flat screen TV in each room
• Heated indoor pool and exercise room
• Ruby Tuesday’s Restaurant on property
• On-site business center with computers and printers available 24/7

Extended stay facilities are hotels with additional amenities including full kitchens in every unit. All prices listed below may or may not include taxes. Please contact the facility directly for the most up-to-date prices.

AVE Somerset

Contact Amy Scheidecker at 908-403-2428 or ascheidecker@aveliving.com 
A preferred rate for the Rutgers Golf Turf Management Program.

Stays of 30 days or longer:

• Located in Somerset, approximately 8 miles to Cook Campus
• Room Options:
  • One bedroom, One bath (1 king bed): $130 per day for stays of 30 days or longer, plus tax*
  • Two bedrooms, Two baths (2 king beds): $165 per day for stays of 30 days or longer; $82.50 pp based on 2 people sharing, plus tax*
  • Two bedrooms, Two baths (1 king bed and 2 twin beds): $170 per day for stays of 30 days or longer; $56.67 pp based on 3 people sharing, plus tax*
  • Two bedrooms, Two baths (4 twin beds – 2 per bedroom): $175 per day for stays of 30 days or longer; $43.75 pp based on 4 people sharing, plus tax*

*Tax is waived for stays over 90 days; 14.625% tax applicable for stays under 90 days
  Rates are effective through 3/31/2025

AVE Amenities & Services

• Experienced team members on site to provide award-wining client/resident services
• Flexible month-to-month lease terms
• Apartments include full custom furniture package, fully accessorized kitchen with appliances, cookware and dinnerware, all utilities including secure, high-speed WiFi, TVs with premium cable, luxury bed and bath linens, and starter bath product kit
• Secure, personal, Gigabit WiFi that travels with residents throughout the community
• Brand new comfortable flex workspace throughout the community public spaces featuring business center with computer stations and business printer services, conference/meeting rooms available for reservation, and media theatre with presentation equipment available for reservation
• Architect-designed pool with in-lay lounge chairs and sundeck
• Large outdoor area featuring grilling stations, outdoor gaming, and tennis court Beverage bar with freshly brewed, bean-to-cup coffee machine
• State-of-the-art fitness center with comprehensive cardio and strength equipment and dedicated yoga/dance studio
• Gated community with spacious parking lots featuring EV charging stations
• Pet friendly
• Package acceptance with mobile alerts
• Valet dry cleaning
• Housekeeping available

Staybridge Suites

Contact Mansi Nayak at 732-940-2250, ext. 703 or mnayak@kanahotelgroup.com . Ask for the Rutgers Turf rate.

• Located in North Brunswick, approximately 5 miles to Cook Campus
• Room options:
  • Studio Suite (1 queen bed): $109.00 per night (plus tax)
  • One Bedroom Suite (1 queen bed, 1 pull out sofa bed): $124.00 per night (plus tax) / $62.50 per student with double occupancy (plus tax)
• All rooms include full size refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, china, glassware, silverware and stove top
• Walking distance to Long Horn, Buffalo Wild Wings, CVS, UPS, and Pizza Hut
• Complimentary daily hot and cold breakfast
• Light snack on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free self-serve washer and dryer
• Complimentary shuttle to and from class, must reserve the shuttle with the Front Desk prior to check in
• Housekeeping services: Full cleaning once a week, light touch upon request
• Payment: Hotel will collect full payment on a weekly basis.

Sonesta ES Suites

Contact Rob Golembiewski at 732-356-8000 or r.golembiewskijr@sonesta.com.

• Located in Somerset, approximately 8 miles to Cook Campus
• Room options:
  • One Bed Suite (1 bed): $89 per night for 30+ night stay
  • Two Bed Suite (2 beds with pull out): $99 per night for 30+ night stay or $49/$50 per student with double occupancy
• Complimentary breakfast
• Laundry and fitness center on site
• Newly updated Wi-Fi access throughout the entire Sonesta property
• 24-hour front desk assistance
• Outdoor pool (summer/seasonal) and grill
• Largest square footage 1&2 br suites in the market with fully equipped kitchens
• VIP & Inspected rooms for all Rutgers Golf Turf Management guests

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Contact Mansi Nayak at 732-940-2250, ext. 703 or mnayak@kanahotelgroup.com . Ask for the Rutgers Turf rate.

• Located in North Brunswick, approximately 5 miles to Cook Campus
• All rooms (1 or 2 queen beds): $109 to $119 per night (plus tax)
• Free hotel shuttle to and from Rutgers campus (Please make sure you reserve at time of check in.)
• Walking distance to restaurants/movie theater and shopping
• All rooms include mini refrigerator, microwave, and Keurig coffee pot
• Free hot and cold breakfast buffet daily
• Free Wi-Fi and coin operated guest laundry
• Complimentary business center open 24/7 with computer stations, laser printing, and fax
• 24-hour fitness center and indoor heated pool and spa

Rutgers Off-Campus Housing / Places4Students.com

Rutgers University has partnered with Places4Students.com, a company that specializes in providing Off-Campus Housing solutions for post-secondary students, faculty, staff, and other community members. This service is FREE for anyone to use as an effective method of finding a place to live off-campus or finding a roommate. Registration is not required to search the listings.

NJ Short Term Rentals

Fully Furnished, Affordable Off-Campus Housing – close to campus, spacious 1-5 bedroom apartments; cable TV, wireless internet included, washer/dryer and dishwasher in apartment; many apartments are pet-friendly. Pricing based on 10-week rentals designed for Rutgers Turf students. They can help introduce you to other Turf students searching for housemates.

Elite Corporate Housing

They have many, many properties which should fit the needs of our students. All properties are fully furnished including linens, towels, etc. The properties include guest rooms, studios, condos, and apartments.

1. Check it Out
   If possible, tour an apartment in person before making a decision. Photos on the internet can be deceiving.
2. Expand Your Options
   The more places you investigate, the better. New Jersey is a densely populated state and there will be time adjustments for heavy traffic. Try to look into a minimum of two different living arrangements as close to campus as possible.
3. Ensure the Place Fits Your Needs
   You are going to need internet access, laundry facilities, and access to a kitchen or food. Plan ahead. We are located on the turf farm and in the Rutgers Gardens so there is no public transportation to class. Ensure you have transportation to and from school.
4. Prepare for the First Month’s Fees
   Make sure you’re ready to handle that first month of fees and a security deposit. Do not hand over the entire 10 week commitment upfront in case your situation changes. Find out if there are utility or other fees that you are responsible for.
5. Document the Apartment’s Condition
   Document (pictures or video) faults in the apartment’s condition on the day you move in. This protects you from being charged for such faults and damages when you move out.
6. Keep Accurate Records
   Obtain receipts for all money paid and document when you will be moving in and out.
7. Discuss Penalties for Early Departure
   This is especially important when additional security deposits have been made.
8. Additional Resources
   Tenants’ Rights in New Jersey located on the Legal Services of New Jersey website
   Rutgers Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships

To cut expenses, consider shared housing.

If you are looking for shared housing, mention that you are interested in roommates when contacting the above hotels and short-term housing facilities. Some will maintain and share lists of other turf students looking for roommates so that you can more easily make connections and secure your desired housing arrangements.

We will also be adding first year accepted applicants to a private site in Canvas, the university’s learning management system (look out for an email notification to finish setting up your Canvas account from “Rutgers University Canvas”). The site will contain a discussion board where you will be able to create posts to search for potential roommates and share your contact information with future classmates in a secure, private forum.