Trenton Mercer Airport - Spotting Guide

Trenton Mercer Airport – Spotting Guide

July 23, 2024 - last modified on July 23, 2024

Trenton–Mercer Airport (KTTN/TTN) located four miles northwest of Trenton in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. Formerly known as Mercer County Airport, the airport serves one scheduled airline plus general and corporate aviation. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that approximately 601,000 passengers arrived and departed at the airport in the 12 months ending July 2023.

With an average of 308 aircraft operation per day, Trenton–Mercer is the third-busiest airport in New Jersey after Newark’s 1228 per day and Teterboro’s 477 per day. NJ Transit Route 608 bus stops on Sam Weinroth Road near the terminal for travel to SEPTA’S West Trenton station for connections to SEPTA’s West Trenton Line to Center City Philadelphia, Trenton Transit Center for connections to Amtrak, NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line to Newark/New York, River Line to Camden, SEPTA’s Trenton Line to Center City Philadelphia, other NJ Transit bus routes to points in Mercer County, South Jersey, and Philadelphia, and SEPTA Suburban Bus Route 127 to Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne, PA, and Hamilton station for connections to NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line to Newark/New York. Fare is $1.60 one way for adults, and operates daily.

Written by Martin Rogosz. Visited May 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
06/24	1831 x 45m
16/34	1463 x 45m
Terminals	One for all passenger flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary but maybe helpful at some locations. It’s also possible to take photos through the fence.
Car/Public Transport	Car for spot 1-3 not necessary. Bus is operting from downtown to the airport.
Drinks/Food	Food and drinks inside of the terminal or in the near.
Hotels	There are some great hotels in the near.
Season	As usual at the east coast of the US. Summer is quite good and winter is typical mostly cloudy and rainy.
Security	We had no problems with the local police at the spots mentioned below. The were looking to us from time to time but never approached and checked us at any time. They are more sensitive if you stay closer to the runway and expect checks if you stay tehre.
Runway Usage
General Info	Main runway in use is the longer 06/24. During our visits the crossing runway 16/34 was just used as taxiway.

	Spot #1 – Terminal South – Taxiway and runway view
WHERE	This photo location is directly next to the airport terminal. There is a small grassy area south of the building with some benches. The position is elevated for an unobstructed view of the movements. You can reach the airport by car or bus. Parking at the airport costs $2 per hour.

WHAT	Taxiway movements from/to the runway and runway movements.

TIME	Taxiway in front from around 2p.m., the runway become good light from around 4p.m. until sunset in the summer.

MISC.	A small bar and restrooms are located inside of the terminal. Police mostly patroling around but we were never interviewed by them.

FOCAL LENGTH	A320=90mm on taxiway and 250mm on rwy Cessna 172=150mm on taxiway and 400mm on rwy.

	Spot #2 – Observation lounge – Taxiway and ramp
WHERE	Inside of the airport terminal, use the steps they going up left of the main entrance. There you will find a small restaurant named “Sky Lounge at Ewing”. It is landslide, before security checks.

WHAT	Taxiway and ramp movements. The view can be blocked by parked aircrafts or ground handling stuff.

TIME	From around 2p.m. until sunset.

MISC.	Food and restrooms inside of the terminal. You have to shoot through the glass.

FOCAL LENGTH	A320=50mm on taxiway Cessna 172=150mm on taxiway

	Spot #3 – Terminal North – Taxiway
WHERE	This photo location is directly next to the airport terminal. It is north of the building and you can either stay on the top, right next to the terminal or go down the fence. You can reach the airport by car or bus. Parking at the airport costs $2 per hour.

WHAT	Taxiway movements. Due the angle of the view, better if RWY06 is in use and the aircrafts taxiing for departure.

TIME	From around 2p.m. until sunset.

MISC.	A small bar and restrooms are located inside of the terminal. Police mostly patroling around but we were never interviewed by them.

FOCAL LENGTH	A320=120mm; Cessna 172=200mm