LaGuardia Airport is the closest airport to Manhattan. For a while, it was my favorite NYC airport to fly into because I could take a taxi without it costing me an arm and a leg. If it is close to Manhattan, it should be easiest to get to right?
Well, unfortunately, that is not the case. Getting from LGA to Manhattan can be a hassle. Even with the construction pretty much complete, the traffic can make it time consuming to take taxis. If you want to save money and use public transportation, it is not as straightforward as you would think.
If you plan on traveling in or out of LaGuardia Airport, you need to know about the construction and the different ways to get from LGA Airport to Manhattan. I will also go over the pros and cons of the different ways to go to LaGuardia. Regardless of which LGA ground transportation option you choose, allow extra time to make sure you are able to make your flight.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information.
LaGuardia is one of several airports that serve NYC.
Contents
LaGuardia Airport Renovation
If you have been to LaGuardia Airport in the past then you can understand why Joe Biden said: “If I took you and blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you’d think, ‘I must be in some third-world country.”
The good news is that the airport has been working to improve the situation. They have spent more than $4 billion on the LaGuardia International Airport Redevelopment Project. It includes a new Central Terminal Building (Terminal B), an improved runway, and adding two new parking garages.
You can find out more about the project here.
LGA Transportation Option Summary
In this table, you will find a summary of the different ways that you can travel from LGA to Manhattan. Below the table, I explain the transportation option in more detail.
| Type | Pros | Cons | Estimated Cost | Booking Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | - Door to door service - Cost can be split with other passengers | - More expensive than other options - Can be a wait at peak times - Traffic can cause delays and higher prices | $25 - $40 plus tolls and gratuity | Does not need to be booked in advance, look for taxi line outside baggage claim |
| Uber | - Fast door to door service (see note above for passengers at Terminal B) - Can split the cost with other passengers | - More expensive than other options - Could have surge pricing - Might have to share the ride with strangers and have an additional stop if using Uber Pool | $30 to $45 plus gratuity, Uber Pool could start at $20 | Book through Uber App when you land |
| Car Service | - Fast door to door service (see note above for passengers at Terminal B) - Can split the cost with other passengers - Can be confirmed in advance - If booked with Carmel you can earn frequent flyer miles | - More expensive than other options | $34 and up, plus tolls and gratuity | Reserve online with Carmel here  |
| Express Bus | - More affordable than an individual car if you are traveling alone. | -Runs hourly during limited hours -Not the fastest option -Can get caught in traffic | $16 one-way or $30 round-trip per person | Book NYC Express Bus tickets online here |
| Door to Door Shuttle | - Door to door service - More affordable than an individual car if you are traveling alone. | - Multiple stops - Not the fastest option - Can get stuck in traffic | Around $20 one-way per person | Book GoAirlink Shuttle online here. |
| Public Transportation (Bus & Subway) | - Cheapest option | - Requires a free transfer from the bus to the subway so it will take longer and be more difficult with a lot of baggage - The bus portion of the journey can be affected by traffic. | $2.75 one way or included as part of an unlimited MetroCard per person | Buy MetroCard at a vending machine at LaGuardia Airport or use exact change |
| Long Island Railroad (LIRR) | None | - Requires a transfer from the bus to the LIRR so it will take longer and be more difficult with a lot of baggage. - Bus portion of the journey can be affected by traffic. - More expensive than the subway but not much faster. | $2.75 one way or included as part of an unlimited MetroCard + $8.75 for LIRR fare ($6.25 during off-peak hours) per person | Buy MetroCard at a vending machine at LaGuardia Airport and your LIRR ticket at a vending machine at the Woodside Station. |
Taxi from LGA to Manhattan
Unlike when you travel from JFK airport, there are no fixed rates for taxis from LaGuardia. Depending on where in Manhattan you are headed, taxis can range for $25 to $40.
Keep in mind there could be traffic. During rush hour, it’s almost a guarantee. At other times, it is possible too especially with the construction. Since the ride is metered, the more traffic the more you can expect to pay with a taxi.
You can easily spot the taxi stands just outside baggage claim. At peak times, expect a wait.
Uber from LGA To Manhattan
If there is no surge pricing, then taking an Uber will be cheaper than taking a taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan. The catch is that it is hard to predict if there will be surge pricing when you need the car. You can try to schedule a car but if there is a delay with your flight that might be an issue.
I recommend checking the Uber app as soon as you land to see the prices. If you are open to doing an Uber pool where you share the car with other riders that might be the best option. If the prices are high, you can always head for the taxi line.
Car Service from LGA to Manhattan
A car service may be the most expensive way to get from LGA to Manhattan but it is probably the fastest and simplest option. Your driver will pick you up at the airport and then take you straight to your destination. If you have a lot of luggage, it is probably worth the splurge.
My favorite car service company is Carmel. They are one of the cheaper car service companies, but even more importantly they are reliable. Book online and even earn frequent flyer miles for the ride. That’s a nice perk!
Click here to reserve your car with Carmel.
Express Bus from LGA to Manhattan
**As of September 2021, NY Airport Express is no longer running. Not sure when express bus service will be available again.
NYC Airport Express Service (formerly known as NY Airporter) provides a direct bus from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan. They have bus stops at Grand Central, Times Square, and Port Authority.
The LGA Express Bus runs hourly from 11 am to 7 pm. After exiting the secured area look for the red NYC Airport Express Service signs by baggage claim. The agent will direct you to the Manhattan-bound bus line.
If you are heading to LaGuardia, you need to pick up the bus at either Grand Central or Port Authority. There are no pickups from Times Square. They say that you should allow one hour for travel time because there may be traffic.
It’s nice to have a bus that takes you directly from LaGuardia Airport to midtown Manhattan, especially if the stops are close to where you are staying. You give the driver your luggage and then you don’t have to deal with it until you get to Manhattan. I do wish the bus ran more frequently, but I guess you have to work around that if you want to save a little money.
Purchase your NYC Express Bus tickets online here.
Door to Door Airport Shuttle from LaGuardia
There is also an option to do a door to door airport shuttle between LaGuardia and NYC with Go AirLink. If you have a lot of luggage and are traveling solo, this might be the easiest low-cost option. You don’t have to worry about dragging your bags up any stairs!
Be sure to check the price first though because, with LaGuardia airport shuttles, you might not save that much compared to taking a taxi or car service. The price on the shuttle seems to be about the same as what you would pay for JFK, even though LGA is closer.
Click here to get more info on the LaGuardia shuttle from Go Airlink NYC.
Public Transportation for LGA to Manhattan
The cheapest way to get from LGA to Manhattan is taking public transportation. Unfortunately, there is no direct subway connection to or from LGA.
In 2016, the MTA rebranded the Q70 bus the LaGuardia Link. In the spring of 2021, they announced that the Q70 would be free! You will still need to pay for the subway when you transfer.
It runs from Terminals B, C, and D to the Jackson Heights Subway Station (where you can catch the E, M, F, R, and 7 trains) and the Woodside Station (where you can catch the 7 train). The bus goes directly between the airport and the subway, but of course, it can get stuck like other vehicles when traffic is rough.
From Terminal A, you can take the Q47 bus which connects to the 7, E, F, M, R subway lines at 74 St/Roosevelt Ave or the M60 SBS which takes you to upper Manhattan. You can switch to the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, D subway lines along 125 St.
If you are on a budget, this is probably the best (i.e. cheapest) way to Manhattan from LaGuardia. If you have a lot of luggage this could be a pain. I guess that is some incentive to pack light?
Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Train from LGA to Manhattan
I do not recommend taking the LIRR from LaGuardia Airport. It does not connect directly with LaGuardia Airport. You have to take the LaGuardia Link Bus to the Woodside Station and then transfer to the LIRR. As mentioned above, this can be difficult with bags and there can be delays with traffic.
You would also be at the mercy of the LIRR schedule. It does not run as frequently as the subway does. Once you get on the train, it would be a short journey to Penn Station. From there, you can connect to several subways to get to other parts of Manhattan or catch a taxi.
Tips for Traveling between LGA and Manhattan
Regardless of which option you choose, there are a few tips that you might find helpful –
- Traffic is unpredictable, always allow extra time, especially when going to the airport to catch your flight.
- It is always easier if you have less luggage, check out our packing tips for some specific suggestions.
- If one of your fellow passengers is headed in a similar direction, you may be able to share a taxi, uber, or car service to save money. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
- While all the transportation options can be paid for by credit cards, you might want to have a few dollars to tip your driver if you are taking the Express Bus or Door to Door Shuttle. For other options, the gratuity can be added to your credit card bill.
- Consider getting travel insurance for your trip. You never know when you will need it. Check out options here.
Check out my guides for the other NYC airports:
Conclusion: The Best Way to Get From LGA to Manhattan
The best option is to reserve a car service in advance. That way you will have your transportation ready when you land. The driver will help you with your luggage and take you directly to your destination. If you book with Carmel, you even earn frequent flyer miles. It may be a little bit of a splurge, but it will be less stressful and you will save time.
If you are on a tight budget, it’s best to go with public transportation. It will take you a little longer but will save you money in return. If you can, pack light so you don’t have to worry about heavy bags on stairs.
Have you traveled to or from LGA airport? What has been your experience with LGA transportation to Manhattan?
-Anisa
PS If you need help figuring out where to stay in New York, grab my free NYC Hotel Cheatsheet.
Pin for Later
Expert Tips for Getting from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan
- The taxi rate from LGA to Manhattan is not fixed, so be prepared to pay more if there is traffic.
- Watch out for surge pricing on Uber.
- If you are on a tight budget, public transportation will be your best option.
- Avoid flights where you have to transfer to another NYC airport if possible because it is not easy. If you have to travel from LGA to another NYC airport (i.e. JFK or EWR), check out my post on NYC airport transfers for guidance.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you. Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit. The commission does not influence the editorial content of this site.
Last Updated on February 22, 2023