Getting from LaGuardia to Manhattan can feel overwhelming when you’re not familiar with the New York area. You arrive in the northern part of Queens with the Manhattan skyline shimmering in the distance like a desert oasis.
And, all you want is just quick and simple info to help get from LGA to Manhattan so you can start your NYC trip off right!
This detailed guide (written by a local) will help you decide the best way to get from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan with all the step-by-step information you need to make a successful New York airport transfer.
How to Get from LaGuardia to Manhattan
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest airport to Manhattan. Distance-wise, it’s about 8 miles from LaGuardia Airport to Times Square. Even better, LaGuardia’s $8 billion transformation is complete which makes the entire experience of flying into and out of LaGuardia much more of a pleasure than it had been.
With the construction finished, transportation from LaGuardia to Manhattan has also become manageable again.
The table below shows the quick glance information for each option to help you get from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan. Then, for all of the specific details about how to transfer from LaGuardia to NYC, find everything you need to know in the matching section below.
| Transfers from LaGuardia to Manhattan | Quick Glance Information |
|---|---|
| Taxi | The cab cost from LaGuardia to Manhattan is between $30-$50 not including tolls, tips, or surcharges. The fare is calculated by the meter so the more traffic there is the higher the cost will be. |
| Car Service | A car service from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan would likely be between $45 and $85 depending on the car size you need. The price you book is fixed as opposed to metered like in a taxi. |
| Ride Share | An Uber from LaGuardia to Manhattan would start at about $60, not including tolls or tip. Prices can fluctuate dramatically depending on traffic and demand. |
| Shared Shuttle | With Go Airlink NYC, you can book a shuttle from LaGuardia to Manhattan for about $40 including tolls and surcharges, but excluding tip. |
| Bus to Subway/LIRR Train | For as little as $2.90, use the M60 or Q70 buses to connect with the NYC subway. Or connect to the LIRR trains for streamlined service into Penn Station or Grand Central for between $5-$7. |
| Express Bus | No longer running |
Take a Taxi from LGA to NYC
Metered taxi service is available at all LaGuardia Airport terminal buildings. A licensed NYC yellow taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan has no flat fee like there is from JFK Airport to Manhattan because LaGuardia is geographically closer to Manhattan.
Since the ride is on the meter, costs will depend on where you need to go in Manhattan, the amount of traffic you experience, and the amount of time spent in the taxi.
A taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Harlem, or Morningside Heights neighborhoods (all uptown areas) will be less expensive than if you need to go to Midtown Manhattan or further downtown into Greenwich Village and Lower Manhattan.
Generally, a taxi from LGA to Manhattan can cost you between $30-$50, not including tolls, tip, and any applicable surcharges. But, keep in mind that an LGA to Manhattan taxi fare can be significantly more during rush hour. At the right time, though, your ride could take as little as 20-30 minutes depending on where your NYC hotel is.
Be wary of anyone offering you a ride for a cheaper price. It’s always safer to use the official NYC yellow taxi queue to get a cab and avoid being overcharged or scammed.
Arrange a Car Service from LaGuardia to Midtown
Similarly, prearranged car services like those offered by Carmel Limo offer transportation from LGA to Manhattan.
Depending on the type of vehicle you book and the time of day, costs can range from $45.00 to $85.00 (tolls and tip not included). The higher end of that price would apply to groups of 5 or 6 people needing a bigger vehicle.
Again, traffic in and around NYC is always a factor to be considered when you’re deciding how to transfer from the airport. In the case of getting from LaGuardia to NYC, car services do take away the stress of watching a metered cab tick up and up in price as you sit in seemingly neverending traffic.
You also save yourself the hassle of having to wait in a potentially long line for an available taxi because your driver will track your flight and be in the pick-up area waiting for you when you’re ready.
If you arrive in Terminal A, your driver will be outside baggage claim on the arrivals level.
If you arrive at Terminal B, your driver will wait for you on the 2nd level of the Terminal B parking garage. Follow the “Car Services” signs to reach the pick-up area.
For Terminal C arrivals, your pick-up point will be outside the arrivals area at ground level. Car services use the inner lanes. Use the “Car Services” signs to guide you to the area.
Uber from LaGuardia to Manhattan
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft also offer service from LaGuardia to Manhattan. Rides generally start at about $60 and can go up from there depending on traffic and demand. This doesn’t include tolls or tip.
Drivers will use the same designated pick-up areas for each terminal as explained above in the car service section.
A few things to consider, if you arrive later at night, choose a yellow taxi over a rideshare. With lighter traffic, it’s likely your taxi with get to your hotel quickly and end up being cheaper than an Uber or Lyft.
If you arrive at peak times, not only could your rideshare be quite expensive, but you may also have to wait for an available car.
As with all the private transfer options from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan, you’ll get direct service to your hotel, without the need to carry your bags onto public transportation.
Getting from LaGuardia to Manhattan by Shuttle
Another option for getting from LGA to Manhattan is by shuttle or shared van transport. GO Airlink NYC is an official partner with the New York and New Jersey Port Authorities and is known as the most trusted New York airport shuttle among NYC hotels.
Their LGA to Manhattan shuttle allows you to share the cost of transportation with other travelers. But unlike a bus, this NYC airport shuttle provides door-to-door service. No need to connect to a subway or take a taxi once you’re in Manhattan to arrive at your hotel.
This type of shared shuttle from LaGuardia to Manhattan will cost about $40 including tolls and surcharges but excluding tip.
Shuttle transportation from LGA to NYC is available 24/7 and can be reserved ahead of time for a stress-free start to your New York City itinerary.
How to Take the Bus from LaGuardia to Manhattan
Unlike JFK and Newark Airport, LaGuardia is the only major NYC airport with no direct rail link. Likewise, the only direct bus service is if your final destination is in Queens.
Otherwise, you can take a bus to a subway or a train to transfer from Laguardia Airport to Manhattan. Nevertheless, public transportation is the cheapest way to get from LGA to NYC. In some instances, it might also be the fastest way, too!
There are 2 NYC MTA-operated public buses to help you connect with the NYC subway and Long Island Railroad (LIRR) trains that head into Manhattan.
All the information on both options is explained below.
Take the Subway from LGA to Manhattan via NYC MTA Bus
LaGuardia is served by the M60 and Q70 LaGuardia Link, both of which are Select Bus Service (SBS) lines.
The Q70 is a free bus link that connects you to the 7, E, F, M, and R subway lines from Roosevelt Avenue and 74th Street. Or you can ride the bus to the next stop, Woodside-61st Street, for access to the LIRR trains to go to Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal.
The M60 runs through Astoria in Queens and into upper Manhattan, making numerous stops that allow riders to connect with the New York City subway.
The fare to ride the M60 and the New York City subway is $2.90. When you pay for a ride on the M60, your transfer to the subway is free as long as the transfer happens within 2 hours.
If you ride the Q70, the bus is free but you’ll pay $2.90 to enter the subway and ride to your stop.
You have 2 ways to pay to ride the M60 bus.
Use the contactless payment reader to tap your smartphone or a contactless credit card and pay for the ride. Then, use the same payment method to utilize your free transfer into the subway. All subway stations have contactless payment readers.
You can also pay for the M60 bus with a MetroCard or the exact amount in coins at kiosks outside just next to the bus stop. Once you pay at the kiosk, you’ll be given a ticket printout to show proof of payment on the bus if/when asked.
If you’re just arriving in New York City, you probably don’t have a MetroCard. However, not to worry!
Use the contactless payment instead if you can. (It’s easier!) Or MetroCards can be purchased at MetroCard vending machines located in the LaGuardia Airport terminals. Once you have a MetroCard, you can use it to pay for the bus fare before you board the bus. As mentioned above, keep the receipt from the kiosk as proof you paid the bus fare.
MetroCards can also be swiped at the subway turnstiles to pay for entry or register the free transfer. Keep in mind also, the MTA charges a $1 fee to purchase a MetroCard. If you buy one, keep it! You can refill it during your trip.
ProTip: If you’d like more basic subway and public transportation tips, you can check out this Planning a New York City Trip guide and these NYC Dos and Don’ts.
Using the M60 Bus to Go from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan
The M60 runs 24/7 from the LaGuardia Airport Terminals A, B, and C into Manhattan, finishing at Broadway and W. 106 Street in Manhattan. Along the way, there are several stops with NYC subway connections.
Depending on traffic and where you’re headed, the M60 + subway combo could take about 50-80 minutes.
My preference is always to get to a subway as quickly as possible because it beats being on the roads with the NYC traffic.
After leaving the airport on the M60, one of the first stops in Queens is Astoria Blvd.
Here you have a connection with the N and W subway lines. This is an elevated subway train track in Queens before it goes underground in Manhattan. If you’re headed to Midtown Manhattan, I recommend connecting to the subway here instead of staying on the M60.
Both the N and W trains make stops at places like 5th Avenue near Central Park, Times Square, and 34th Street/Herald Square, as well as have free connections to numerous other subway lines.
If you choose to stay on the M60 into Manhattan, the bus goes over the RFK Bridge and across 125th Street in Harlem. If you’re staying uptown in Harlem or on the Upper West Side or Upper East Side, the M60 bus and its subway connections will be the best option for your LaGuardia transfer.
Along its route on 125th Street, the M60 has subway connections along the way with the 4, 5, and 6 trains at Lexington Avenue which is the “green” line on the NYC subway map. Then, at Lenox Avenue, you can connect with the 2 and 3 trains shown in red on the map.
After that, you can ride until St. Nicholas Avenue to connect with the A, B, C, and D trains (blue and orange lines) before the bus finishes close to 106th Street and access to the 1 train.
Having access to all these subway lines allows you to get nearly anywhere you’d need to be in NYC.
Using the Q70 Bus to Go from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan
If your NYC hotel is in midtown, though, the quicker way to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan via the bus and subway or LIRR combo is by using the Q70 bus.
The Q70 runs 24/7 with service connecting LaGuardia Airport Terminals B and C to subway and Long Island Railroad stations in Jackson Heights and Woodside, Queens in about 10-15 minutes.
This route from LaGuardia was designed to be truly traveler-friendly with things like luggage racks (which the M60 does not have) and quick access to trains.
If you arrive at Terminal A, you’ll need to take the airport shuttle bus to Terminal B and then connect to the Q70 SBS. Otherwise, you can take the M60 and connect with the subway from there.
With the Q70, you can access the 7, E, F, M, and R trains from Roosevelt Avenue and 74th Street. The 7 train makes stops at Grand Central, Bryant Park, and Times Square. The R train also stops at Times Square, as well as locations in Manhattan’s midtown east neighborhood.
The F and M trains stop at places like Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, while the E train stops at 42nd St. and 8th Avenue, near Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Also, if you’re staying at a hotel in Long Island City, Queens, the E and R trains will take you straight into that neighborhood and then on to Manhattan.
For hotels in other neighborhoods like Lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, or Chelsea, many of these trains continue further south than the Times Square and Midtown areas. It’s also possible to transfer for free at Times Square (and other stations) to another train line, if need be, that will get you to your hotel.
Alternatively, you could use the Q70 to connect with the LIRR at Woodside-61st Street. Long Island Railroad trains run from there into Penn Station and Grand Central. Check train schedules here.
The 7 subway line can just as easily get you to Grand Central so it may not be worth switching to the LIRR. However, specifically if your hotel is close to Penn Station, the LIRR trains can help you get to that area quicker and without needing to switch to another subway in about 45 minutes.
The LIRR costs a bit more, between $5-$7 on a city peak or off-peak ticket, depending on when you’d be riding. But, it’s a more streamlined route if you’re staying close to Penn Station and the W. 34th Street area near 7th and 8th Avenues.
If you’d like a visual to see these public transportation options, click here.
Private Company Express Bus from LGA to Manhattan
Unfortunately, express bus service from LaGuardia with direct service to Manhattan is no longer running.
For bus service from LaGuardia to Manhattan, please refer to the above sections.
Getting from Manhattan to LaGuardia
You can take all of the above transportation choices to get to LaGuardia Airport from Manhattan when your trip is done.
Car services and the Go Airlink Shuttle can be reserved ahead of time and will recommend the best pickup time given the time of day and possible traffic conditions.
If you’re hoping to take the bus to LaGuardia from Manhattan, take the 1 train to 116th Street and connect with the M60. Alternatively, you could also take the 2 or 3 trains to 125th Street to connect with the M60 bus to LGA.
You could also take the 7, E, F, M, and R trains from Midtown Manhattan to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave. subway station at 74th Street. Then, connect with Q70-SBS to Laguardia Airport. Or if near Penn Station, take the LIRR to Woodside-61st Street to catch the Q70 LaGuardia Link.
If your New York City hotel is near Times Square or in Midtown, these subway-to-bus connections are the most straightforward.
As always, how to get to LaGuardia Airport depends on your budget, flight times, and travel style. But, if you’re taking a taxi to LaGuardia, be mindful of your timing and the traffic. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in traffic knowing you’ve missed your flight.
If you need to get to Laguardia during the morning or evening rush hours, use the subway to get as far as you can to bypass as much traffic as possible. Buses often have special lanes to speed up service, but they are also subject to traffic conditions in many areas.
So, what’s the best way to get from LGA to Manhattan?
Undoubtedly, the cheapest way to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan is by the M60 or Q70 buses connecting to the NYC subway. You just can’t beat a $2.90 New York airport transfer!
On the flip side, a taxi or car service will be the most expensive but also the most hassle-free LaGuardia transfer to Manhattan.
However, if you’d rather save yourself the hassle of public transportation and an expensive car ride, the Go Airlink Shuttle could be a great compromise.
So, how do you plan to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan?
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Great post, very informative!!
But Oh boy….The subway is very intimidating.
I’m heading into LGA through Delta next week and literally heading straight for Time Square so this was perfect for me. Still a little nervous…..
Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Jen. I understand totally! But you can do it. NYers are quite friendly if you need any help. Go for it! And have a great NYC trip. 🙂
Im going to NYCwith my family anand my family from Colombia 7 of us and Im wonder what its the best transportation from LGA to time square?
Thanks for reading, Lina. For 7 of you, it might be a good idea to check out the van transport with Go Airlink NYC. This way you can all travel together as a group and share the cost. 🙂 Enjoy your trip to NYC!
Hi,
Thanks for all the wonderful info! My fairer and I are coming to NYC for the first time in Feb ? we are flying into LGA but staying in Brooklyn. What would you recommend being the best way to get from LGA to Brooklyn?
Thank you so much!!
Jenny
Thanks for reading, Jenny. For a first-time visit, I’d recommend taking a taxi or an Uber from LGA to Brooklyn. There are no direct train connections. You’d need to take a bus and then likely transfer to a subway, which could be confusing and time-consuming depending on the time of day you arrive. If you want to go via public transportation, let me know the neighborhood in Brooklyn and I can try to be more specific in my directions. 🙂
Thanks for the information. That was supposed to say, my daughter and I are visiting-lol!
We are staying near Carol Gardens.
Really appreciate all the wonderful tips I have been getting from reading your posts! Thanks again?
No problem! I figured it was a typo. 😉 So, I’d still recommend a taxi or an Uber to go from LGA to Carroll Gardens. If you wanted to go public transportation, you could use the Q70 Select Bus Service from LGA to Roosevelt Ave/74th Street stop. From there, you get on the F subway line toward Manhattan/Brooklyn. Take that to Carroll Street in Brooklyn. All in, this could take close to an hour and a half. The subway actually takes you into Manhattan before it goes to Brooklyn. You’ll have no problem going from Brooklyn to Manhattan. It’s just the LGA to Brooklyn connection that’s tricky. Hope that helps! Good luck and enjoy NYC! 🙂
Why did you not include rideshare services?
Thanks for reading, Jay. Great point. I do use Via in and around the city but not from the airports. I’ll work on adding this info. 🙂
Hi Jackie,
I love your picture of Peyto Lake at the top of your page!
What is the best way to get from LGA to JFK in the evening? The shuttle bus does not operate past 7:00 PM and I have 2-1/2 hours to make my connection.
Do car services have direct access to the LGA terminals or does one have to take a shuttle elsewhere to access these?
Cheers!
Thanks so much for reading, Claude. Isn’t Peyto Lake just a beauty! The best way to do this is to take a car service from LGA to JFK. Your car service should be able to pick you up at LGA if you’re in terminals A, C, or, D. If you arrive into terminal B, they’ll be waiting on the 2nd floor of the West Parking Garage which eliminates the need for a shuttle to another location at the airport. Hope that helps and happy travels!
Hi jackie, i arrive tomorrow at LGA with a group of 12 people includinding kids, i will be stay at hotel pennsylvania, how its the best way to go to the hotel?? Thanks
Thanks for reading, Jose. I think this info might find you too late, but if by chance you still need transportation for 12 people, I would look at getting a shared van so you all don’t need to take multiple taxis or cars. Hope you have a great trip to NYC!
lINK TO GO AIRLINK DOES NOT WORK
Thanks for letting me know, Wendy. I’ve updated them and it should work now. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Great article! My wife and I will be in NYC this week. We have always taken a cab from LGA to Manhattan, but I’m wondering if we could try the bus/subway to save money. Our hotel is in lower Manhattan. I know a cab gets us there fairly quickly. Any idea on time by bus/subway? I’m guessing much longer.
Thanks for reading, William. Depending on the time you arrive (rush hour or not), it could take 60-75 minutes. Have a great trip to NYC!
Hi Jackie
Great break down on how to get into Manhattan.
I have another question?
I am driving to meet my boyfriend who is flying into LGA and I would like to to know if there is any where to park my car for 3 days as we are staying in the Financial District until Saturday evening when he flies back out. Hotel parking is expensive. We will definitely look into the shuttle for sure . Do you have any suggestions where to leave my vehicle for the 3 days to avoid taking it into the city ?
Any help is appreciated
Thank you for the great article
Penelope
Thanks for reading, Penelope. I’m with you on keeping your car outside of Manhattan. I would look here at this site for LGA parking. They help people find parking in and around airports across the U.S. including LGA. I hope that helps and you have a great trip to NYC! 🙂
In going from Midtown to LGA, can you also just take the C train to 125th St and pick-up the M60 in Harlem? If so, where do you get the transfer for the bus? Thanks.
Thanks for reading, David. Yes, you can take the C train to 125th Street and get the M60 in Harlem. You’ll have to exit the subway station and the bus stop will be at the intersection of W. 125 St. and St. Nicholas Ave. This is the same spot as where the C train station is. Hope that helps! Enjoy NYC. 🙂
I will be attending an event at the Laguardia Marriott and will need to return to Grand Central following it. Is airlink an option from the hotel, or would I need to go to the airport to get it? Do you know if they will allow booking without a flight reservation? Their webpage FAQs doesn’t address this. Trying to avoid the cost of uber or taxi, but still have a stress free return to GC. Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Karin. I do think it’s ok to book Airlink without a flight reservation. But, you will likely need to use the hotel shuttle to head back to LGA first before getting the Go Airlink Shuttle to NYC. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi , thanks for the article. My husband, daughter, and I are traveling to Stewart Hotel at 371 7th Ave. We are coming for the first time and we will be buying the week pass for the subway/trains. We are flying into La Guardia and are nervous about finding right trains and bus from airport. Also on the way back in the morning on Sunday. Are we better off getting Uber. We are trying to save money, but really don’t want to get lost either and miss our plane back.
Thanks for reading, Janiel. The M60-SBS bus from LGA to 125th St./St. Nicholas Ave stop connects with the A and C trains. These trains will go right to 34th St. Penn Station which is just a block or so from your hotel, depending on which exit you come out of the subway from. Uber is also a good way to go if you prefer. Not sure of the day/time you arrive to LGA, but keep in mind rush hour traffic around there is really bad. The ride from Manhattan to LGA on a Sunday morning will be much faster because the roads “should be” quiet(er). Good luck! 🙂
I am lading in LGA at 12 noon on Thursday. What is the best/cheapest way to reach 305 Broadway (Lower Manhattan)? I’m in no hurry and have 2 hours to reach Broadway.
Thanks!
Thanks for reading, Ray. For the cheapest way, I would take the M60-SBS from LGA to 125th St./Malcolm X BLVD and transfer to the 2 or 3 train downtown to Chambers Street. This will leave you with a couple blocks of 305 Bway. Good luck!
Coming into LGA on a Wed around 1:30pm. Need to get to mid-town 42nd st. for my hotel.
I booked ground link private car service for the sake of convenience, but I am wondering if an Uber or cab would be better? I know it depends on traffic patterns at that time of day. Also, the LGA web site says terminal B is still shuttling people to can stands for pickup because of construction, is this incorrect?
Thanks for reading, Sara. My understanding is that Terminal B pickups are on Level 2 of the parking garage. While this isn’t as convenient as having your car just outside of baggage claim, there isn’t a shuttle bus required any longer to get to this pickup spot. Wednesday around 1:30 “should be” better than morning or later afternoon into the evening as far as traffic goes. That being said, you never know and even tame NYC traffic can still be frustrating. An uber or yellow cab, though, “should be” fine as well. Good luck!
Is it safe enough to send a 16, almost 17 year old responsible unaccompanied man-child on the bus/subway from LGA to Times Square? He’s meeting a group there. He arrives Southwest Airlines on a Thursday at 1:30. Alternatively, what about Taxi? I have memories several decades ago of taxi drivers not knowing their way around so we had to tell them how to go…
Thanks for reading, Shari. It all depends on how comfortable/confident your 17-year son is. There are plenty of NYC middle and high school kids who ride public transportation to and from school each day. A taxi should also be able to get him there. The majority of taxi drivers today use Google Maps or Waze to navigate if they don’t know how to get to a specific place. Hope that helps! 🙂
HI Jackie! Great read. We are coming into New York for a 3 day trip in 2 weeks. 6 travelers landing at LaGuardia around 630pm on a Sunday. We’re staying at the Embassy Suites Manhattan/Times Square. I wish I would’ve known to land at JFK for the convenience of the train….but none the less…..what’s the best options for our transportation into the city? Also getting back to LaGuardia by 9am on a Wed morning? Thanks for the wonderful blog!
Thanks for reading, TT. For a group of 6, it will be easier for you to use the Go Airlink shuttle. They have reservations where you can book as a group. Public transportation is a possibility, too, if you don’t have too many bags. Just keep in mind, it’s Sunday night and bus and subway service will run a little less often. Taxis can only take 4 passengers so you’d need to pay for 2 different cars which can be quite expensive once tolls and tip are factored in. On the way back in the morning on Wednesday, you could repeat the shuttle or opt for the subway (1,2,3 trains) up to 125th street and take the SBS M60 bus to LGA. A taxi at that early hour will be quick but you’ll still be subject to the flat fee for the airport ride (plus tip & tolls) x2 because of your group size. Hope that helps! Have a great trip to NYC. 🙂
Great info! Could you clarify the best way to get to the Mayfair Hotel from LaGuardia. Thank you!!
Thanks for reading, Zach. If you want to do public transportation, take the SBS M-60 to W.125 & St. Nicholas Ave. and connect to the downtown C train. If you want an affordable door to door transfer, Go Airlink NYC is a great option. Have fun in NYC!
Hello,
We’re at the Belleclaire on Broadway and 77 with a Delta flight out of LGA at 2:59pm. I had never heard of the M60 service but it seems like it might be ideal. There are 2 of us, each with a single carryon bag.
The hotel car service is $55 including tolls which seems like a huge premium.
We have our boarding passes and are Pre-Checked. When should we leave?
Thanks for reading, Dave. Yes, the M60 can be a good way to go. From your hotel, take the 1 train uptown from B’way and 79th and get off at 103rd St. Walk 3 blocks up to B’way and 106th St. B’way and W 106th St. is the first stop for the M-60 heading to LGA. The entire bus route can take about 50 minutes without traffic. If you need to be at LGA for 1pm, I’d give yourself an hour and a half at least.
Thanks!
Your post says to take the 1 to 116 and transfer. Is 106 a better chance of a seat?
Is there another route that you’d recommend? I’ve usually defaulted to car service.
Dave
Sorry about that! I could swear I wrote 106th st. Yes, 106 gives you the best chance to get a seat. Unfortunately, that’s the best public transportation to LGA right now. I recommend GO Airlink because it’s reliable and a happy medium price-wise between the bus and a car service. Good luck!
Forget it! If I stand for 20 minutes sweating on a subway platform I’ll want to kill myself. Car service here I come – $55 including tax, tolls, and tip
lol, fair enough, Dave! Safe journey to the airport. 🙂
Ugh (late update)
I dropped $55 for a seemingly very comfortable towncar. Except the AC didn’t work! It was horrible. Really horrible.
Next time I’ll take the stupid bus.
On the plus side we had complementary pre-check so skipped a huge line at LGA!
Ugh!!
So sorry, Dave! No AC in this weather is brutal AND for 55 bucks!
Live and learn for next time!
Thanks so much for sharing this information. I arrive on a Wednesday at 6:40pm and am staying near Lincoln Center. I was going to look for a Lyft/Uber or Carmelo (which is what I used last time), but I’m wondering if it’s faster to do the bus/subway at that time of day. I tried to look online for information about construction. Thank you! Robin
Sorry that I missed you, Robin. I’m traveling in an area with limited connectiity.
I hope you made it in ok. Are you staying long?
Again, sorry I didn’t respond earlier and thanks so much for reading!
Very thankful for such a useful and informative post. First timer staying in Hell’s kitchen area for the first time. I’m thinking Go Air Link from LGA to midtown but …
What is your preferred way to get back to LGA for a flight leaving Saturday at 5:45 AM. I’m a bit concerned with choosing the right combination of speed and safety on our way back to the airport. Thank you for your response!
Hi Carl,
Thanks for reading!
At that hour, I would look to schedule a return on Go Airlink and you should get to LGA super fast given the early departure.
You’re getting to LGA so early (say 4Aish?), I wouldn’t take public transportation. Mostly for speed purposes as those lines are still considered off-hours at that time. They’re running but not as frequently.
If Go Airlink doesn’t work for you for some reason, then a pre-arranged car service is what I would do. You could try an NYC yellow taxi but that means waving one down essentially in the middle of the night. Not at all impossible but you’re looking to ensure you get to the airport on time.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jackie, my family of four will be arriving at LGA on a Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Could you tell me the best way for us to get to Hotel Wales (1295 Madison Ave)? We’ll each have a carry on bag. Thanks!
Hello Matt!
The two options I would recommend are:
The cheapest way but still effective is to take public transportation and take the M60 Bus to 125th Street & Lexington Ave. This leaves you north of the hotel by 23 blocks and 2 avenues east if you’re looking at a map of uptown Manhattan. From here you can take the 6 train (located at the 125th & Lex bus stop) to 96th street & Lexington which will leave you with a little walk over to the hotel at 92nd street & Madison Ave.
If that doesn’t work for you then I’d go with the Go Airlink shuttle that will take you from LGA directly to the hotel. This costs more but it’s pretty convenient. You can book this online in advance which is advisable if you choose this option. There’s a link you can use in my LGA to Manhattan article below. Hope this helps!!
Thanks so much, Jackie. I really appreciate your help!
You’re welcome, Matt!
I hope you and your family have a great trip!!
Hi Jackie,
w
We have a rental car and we are in New Haven, ST right now. We have to return the car tomorrow before noon to the airport to follow our 5 days stay in Manhattan ( Hilton times square) .
Do you think is a good idea to return the car in La Guardia or JFK because then we need to figure how to go Manhattan. I
Any advice will be greatly appreciated .
Hello Diana,
Thanks for reading! Just want to confirm, are you looking to get back into Manhattan from either LGA or Manhattan after you drop off the rental car? If so, LGA is closer to Manhattan where you can take either a shuttle or public transportation.
Same for JFK, but it’s is a little further from Manhattan.
The one difference on public transportation is you can take a train directly from JFK into Manhattan. For LGA you’ll need to take a bus to a subway stop.
Also, from each airport, you can book a Go Airlink reservation to take you directly to a hotel located in times square.
Hope this helps!
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for sharing all this useful info!
I will be traveling with my family(4 people total) from La Guardia to Manhattan for the first time!
Could I simply rent a car from La Guardia and drive myself? If I can, any suggestions on where and how to rent a car?
If it isn’t possible, what do you reckon is the best way to travel that is also cheap?
Thanks so much; any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for reading, Lily. Laguardia does have car rental counters at the airport to rent a car. Honestly, though, I wouldn’t recommend driving into Manhattan. Traffic is insane and there’s nowhere to park. Not to mention, a lot of time can be wasted figuring out where to go and what to do with the car. Public transportation is the cheapest way to go. There’s the SBS M 60 bus which takes you into Manhattan and connects you with several subway lines. However, if you’re not comfortable doing that, 4 people can fit into a yellow taxi and the flat rate is $52 plus tolls and tip. It would likely work out to be just about the same as the GoAirlink shuttle but you would have the taxi all to yourself. Reserved car services will be similarly priced into Manhattan. Just keep in mind the Go Airlink shuttle will be about $20 pp so f you can get a taxi or car service for cheaper, then that will make more sense.
Hi Jackie:
Thank you for all of this helpful information! I’ll be flying into LaGuardia on a Wed afternoon at 3:30pm and need to get to Freehand Hotel in Manhattan and then to a function near there at 6pm I then catch a flight the following evening at LaGuardia at 6:30pm. Yes, a very quick trip! What’s the best way to get to and from Freehand and how much time should I leave getting back to airport so I don’t miss my flight. Getting there I’m not too worried about it’s leaving to get to the airport Thursday in rush hour traffic. Thank you in advance!
Thanks for reading, Peter. I would recommend using the GoAirlink Shuttle for an affordable transfer. You can also go for a taxi/car service. Your hotel is on the east side of Manhattan so it’ll be (relatively) easy once you get across the East River and into Manhattan. If you go for the car service/Taxi (car service may actually be cheaper…because taxis are a flat rate no matter where in NYC.), make sure they’re using Waze or another traffic app to see which is better traffic-wise to cross, the RFK Bridge or the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. For the return trip, I would leave by 3pm so you can get to LGA by 4:30 (2 hours before flight) without stressing out on the way. 🙂
Thanks so much for your effort, help and advice, Jackie! I understand your point and this has been extremely helpful!
Have a great time in NYC, Lily. 🙂
Thank you Jackie for your response!
My pleasure! 😉
Hey. First time in New York. We will be arriving around 9am into LaGuardia Airport on Friday, Aug 9. What’s the best route for public transportation if our destination is the Maxwell Hotel on Lexington Ave.
Also, how much are the tolls if we decide to take Uber?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks for reading, Shondreka. Look for the SBS Q70 from LGA going towards Manhattan. Then connect with the E train at Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights. Get off the E train at 53rd and Lexington. Then walk Southwest to your hotel on 49th and Lexington. Have a great trip to NYC! 🙂
Hi Jackie, Two of us first time to NY and flying redeye SFO-LGA. Arriving at LaGuardia at 10.30am on a Tuesday and heading to Hotel Elysee on E 54th St. We will be wanting to get to the hotel asap and wondering if we are we better off taking a taxi or car service at that time of day? This would be the most informative site I have seen thank you. Brilliant.
Thanks so much for reading, Les. At 10:30 on a Tuesday, most of the morning rush should have worked itself out (exception being the Tuesday after Labor Day because traffic on that day in the city can be bad all day). There will still be some traffic but I’d agree a taxi or car service will be best if you’re needing the most direct route to your hotel. 🙂
Greetings Jackie!
What an amazing site you have! Thanks for making life easier for many of us! 🙂
Three of us arriving LGA this Friday August 16 at 9:25AM. Just carry-on luggage. Hotel is Refinery – 63 West 38th St. What is our best bet to get to hotel asap? Are we past subway rush hour? Leaning towards bus / subway if so.
Heading back to LGA on Sunday August 18 for 7:40pm international flight. What would be our best bet for return and what time would be best bet to leave midtown?
Many thanks again for what you do and for the help,
Albert
Thanks for reading, Albert. Appreciate the kind words. With just carry on luggage, take the SBS Q70 bus to the Roosevelt Ave – Jackson Heights subway station. This will be at Roosevelt Ave and 74th Street. Take the F, M or 7 train towards Manhattan and get off at the Bryant Park stop. From there it’s about a 2 block walk south (down) 6th Avenue (also called the Avenue of the Americas). The quicker you can get to a subway, the better. You will then bypass any and all traffic. For the return, I’m someone who doesn’t like to stress over being late because of traffic. You’ll need to be at LGA 2 hours before your flight. I wouldn’t leave any later than 4-4:15. If you plan to use public transportation on the return, be mindful the bus will run less often on Sunday evenings. To save some money, you could take the subway back to the Roosevelt Ave-Jackson Heights subway station and then get an Uber/taxi from there. I say Uber first because sometimes it’s not easy to find a yellow cab right away outside of Manhattan. Otherwise, book the GO Airlink Shuttle or take a taxi/Uber from Manhattan. Good luck and thanks again for reading! 🙂
Thanks a bunch for your reply Jackie!
Quick follow-up question….Of the F, M or 7 trains into Manhattan, is there one that is quicker to Bryant Park stop than the others?
Much appreciated,
Albert
No problem, Albert. 🙂 I mentioned all 3 because you might just want to hop on the first one that comes, especially if there’s a long wait for one particular train. I don’t typically make bets, but if I had to put my money on which train is the fastest, I’d go with the 7 train. Good luck! 🙂
Hi Jackie,
We made it to NYC and back home. 🙂
We had to go to midtown and back to airport twice each as our initial return flight was cancelled last minute.
We took bus / subway initial trip to midtown, but we accidentally took local train. Second trip to midtown from LGA was late night, so we took taxi. $35 + tip for half-hour entertaining ride [due to hilarious veteran cab driver].
Going back to LGA we took taxi both times. Sunday late-afternoon the fare was $35 + tip. Monday 5pm was $45 + tip. Trip times were half hour and 45 minutes via taxi.
Just an FYI, due to construction, if taking taxi from LGA to anywhere, you have to take shuttle bus from there to taxi stop off airport. This is time consuming, but once in taxi, there is no airport navigation to contend with.
Thanks again for your help,
Albert
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Albert. It will be helpful for others who are planning their airport transfer. Glad everything worked out for you! 🙂
Hi Jackie! Thanks so much for all of this info! My husband and I will be coming into LGA on Oct 11 around 9 AM. We’ll each have one checked bag and will be heading to Intercontinental Times Square. What bus/subway route is the best for us to take? Also, we’ll be heading back home on Oct 14 around 7:00 PM – do we just take the reverse of your suggestion above and what time do you think we should start heading to the airport? TIA!
Thanks for reading, Tammy. The Q70-SBS bus from LGA will take you to the Roosevelt-Jackson Heights Subway station at 74th street and Roosevelt Avenue. From there, you can take several trains to Manhattan. I’d take the E train into Manhattan and get off at 42nd St. From there, your hotel is just a couple blocks away on 44th St. You can certainly do this in reverse on the way back. You want to give yourself a minimum of an hour to return…with 75-90 minutes being even better to avoid any stress. Good luck! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Of course! Have a great trip. 🙂
Hi Jackie,
I’m arriving at LGA Monday about 3pm. I would like to do the bus/subway option but can you help with the route info I should take to 15th st and 7th ave?
Thanks so much for reading, Pam. Take the Q70-SBS to the Roosevelt Ave/74th Street stop and transfer to the E train to Manhattan. Get off the E train at 14th St, which will be at 14th & 8th Ave. You’ll have to walk just a couple minutes to get to 15th& 7th. 🙂
Thanks so much for your help. This worked out great for us.
Glad to hear it, Pam! Thanks for reading. 🙂
Hi! Thank you so much for all this great information. I am traveling to NYC with a group of friends, and it is all our first times going there. We are staying at the Holiday Inn at 585 8th Ave. Would you be able to tell me my best route from LaGuardia, as well as the best way for when we fly back home? From your information, getting to the hotel we will take the M60 to Astoria Blvd, then get on the N or W? And which stop for our hotel?
Thanks for reading, Josey. I’d actually recommend taking the Q70-SBS bus to Roosevelt Ave and 74th Street. Transfer to the E train towards Manhattan and then get off at 42nd St. Walk south (numbered streets going down) on 8th Avenue for about 3 blocks to reach your address. Good luck! 🙂
Hi Jackie!
Thanks so much for this great information in your article! My friends and I always take a taxi from LaGuardia into Manhattan when we visit. From now on, we will take the bus/subway, with your great directions! As a recently retired teacher, every bit saved is more to spend on the trip!
Thanks again!
Thanks for reading, Ellen. 🙂 For sure, save the money to have more fun in NYC!
Hi Jackie!
My mom,five year old, and I will be traveling to New York for the first time this November. We are staying at the Holiday Inn at LaGuardia Airport, but want to know how to get to Manhattan as that is where all of the touristy sites are. What do you recommend as best way to get there?
Thanks for reading, Victoria. The #7 subway train is just a couple of blocks from the hotel. Take the train into Manhattan. It makes stops along 42nd Street at Grand Central Station, 5th Ave (Bryant Park & Holiday Markets), and Times Square before finishing at 34th Street at Hudson Yards. Along the way in Manhattan, there are numerous other subway lines that all connect with the #7 train. Enjoy NYC!
Hi, Jackie!
We’re traveling to NYC (2 adults & 2 teens) on Thanksgiving week. We fly into LaGuardia on Monday @ 3pm. Is it very difficult to go on public transportation from LaGuardia to W. 35th & 6th with luggage? Or should I arrange a shuttle? And return to LaGuardia on Saturday. Flight departs at 3pm. What do you recommend?Thank you in advance!
Thanks for reading, Liza. NYC for Thanksgiving will be so fun! The Q70-SBS bus to the Subway at Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights subway station at 74th can connect you to the F subway train which will bring you within a block of your hotel. If the 4 of you each can manage your luggage on your own (i.e. 1 rolling bag each), you should be fine on public transportation and the subway helps you avoid traffic. Otherwise, the shuttle would absolutely be your best bet at that time of day on Monday of a holiday week over a taxi or a car. The traffic will be heavy.
Thanks Jackie for your reply! Getting excited our trip is this month already! I think we’ll try public transportation/subway from LaGuardia to Manhattan since we have time to go at our own pace. What about the return? What mode of transportation is mostly recommended? It’s on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Flight departs at 3pm from LaGuardia.
Hi Liza,
For the return on Saturday, you could take public transportation back as well. Just be mindful that a holiday weekend schedule usually means buses, in particular, run a little less frequently. On Saturday afternoon, traffic should also be “lighter” (for NYC). So if you wanted to spend more time in NYC, consider a taxi, Via (car service sometimes cheaper than Uber), or Uber.
Good luck and enjoy NYC!
Jackie
Hi Jackie, very informative site! Thanks for all the legwork you do for the rest of us.
I am arriving LaGuardia on SW tomorrow at 5:40 PM. I tried to schedule an Uber but Uber is not accepting reservations from that location. 🙁
I’m a bit nervous as I’m a female, traveling alone, and headed to East Village to meet up with friends.
Do you have any advice for my safest, less stressful way to get there? Also, I’ll be returning Monday for a 4 PM flight. Appreciate any suggestions you might have.!
Thanks for reading, Bobbie. I totally understand being a bit nervous. It should be possible to Uber once you arrive at LGA and at that time tomorrow the airport will be busy with plenty of people. Or you could do a yellow taxi. It would be $52 plus tip and tolls to the East Village. There are taxi lines outside the terminals. If you wanted to save a little money for the return trip, I would check out Go Airlink NYC. Otherwise, an Uber or taxi back will be easy to get from your hotel. I hope this helps! 🙂
Thanks so very much!
Enjoy NYC. 🙂
Hi Jackie!
Thanks so much for the wealth of information you’ve provided. My family will be traveling to NYC for Christmas, arriving on the 23rd around 8:00am departing on the 26th in the late evening. We’ll be flying into LGA and staying at Homewood Suites on West 37th in Midtown Manhattan. What do you think the best mode of transport would be? We’re first timers and I would love to take the Subway but I’m not sure if that time of day will be too crowded. Please let me know your thoughts and which Subway line will best meet our needs.
Thanks for reading, Caisey. I would recommend the Q70-SBS from Laguardia to the Roosevelt Ave/74th St. stop. Transfer to the “E” subway train going towards Manhattan/World Trade Center. Get off at 34th St. Penn Station. Once you’re out of the station, it’s about a 5 minute walk up to W.37th St and your hotel, Homewood Suites. The city will be crowded during that time for the holidays so getting to public transportation will be the best bet to avoid as much road traffic as possible.
Hi Jackie
I’m traveling to NYC Friday Dec 6th arriving at 9:45pm in LaGuardia. The hotel we booked is the Holiday Inn financial district -99 Washington Street. We’d prefer to take public transportation to the hotel. Any suggestions?
Also from our hotel to city center what’s the best subway route? Thanks in advance
Thanks for reading, Lorie Ann. The Q70-SBS from LGA to the Roosevelt Ave/74th St. stop will connect you with the subway at the Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Height train station. From there, take the “E” train to Manhattan/World Trade Center. Get off at World Trade Center and then it’s about a 7-minute walk from there. One thing to note, the buses and trains will all be running when you arrive but the buses may be running a bit less frequently. You could also take a taxi to the Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights subway station in Queens and then get the subway from there if it looks like the bus is running slowly. From your hotel, a short walk to the 1 or N or R subways trains uptown will bring you right to Times Square. If you walk to the 4 or 5 subway trains and take them uptown, you can easily get to Grand Central Station. Both of these options get you to 42nd St. and within easy walking distance to Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave, Times Square, etc. Enjoy NYC!
Hi Jackie! Thank you so much for all of the information! By far the most organized and easy to read suggestions!
My son and I arrive at LaGuardia @ 8am Dec 18th. Our hotel is Wyndham Midtown 45. What do you think the best mode of transportation would be to our hotel? Also, my son will turn 13 while we are in NYC. Any suggestions on a fun place to eat or things to do on his birthday?
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for reading, Kim. Take the Q70-SBS to Roosevelt Ave and 74th St. for the Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights Subway station. Connect to the #7 train towards Manhattan and get off at 42nd St-Grand Central Station. (It’s the first stop in Manhattan.) From there, you are about 5 minutes away on foot.
As for restaurants, take a look at Benihana, Max Brenner, or Nom Wah Tea Parlor. SO many possible things to do from going to the Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History, seeing a Brooklyn Nets game, going to a broadway show, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, family friendly escape room games, and even a street art tour in Brooklyn (then you’d have to go for pizza at Roberta’s!). Hope that helps and you have a great birthday trip with your son. 🙂
Hey, thanks for the blog.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
Three of us will arrive at LGA at 8,30 AM on a Friday. We hope to take a regular Yellow Cab from LGA to a hotel near Port Authority station. We will have 1 large, and 2 medium sized suitcases, and 3 carry-on luggage.
My question is will a Yellow cab have adequate room to carry the 3 of us, and all our luggage?
Thank you.
Thanks for reading, Sal. A yellow taxi should be able to hold your bags. However, depending on the type of vehicle, 1,2, or 3 of you may need to keep your carry on with you instead of storing it in the trunk. 🙂
Hi thank you so much for your informative post.. I will be coming to nyc this january thru lga at 11pm. Is it safe to take the subway that time while carrying luggage going to lower manhattan whitehall terminal so I could go to an airbnb in staten island thru the ferry(free)? What is the subway route i could take to be able to go to whitehall terminal? Your inputs are so appreciated. Thanks so much and God bless.
Thanks for reading, Tin. There are always other travelers departing the airport and NYers on the subway so, in that regard, you should be fine. However, lower Manhattan will be extremely quiet because it’s a business area and most active during the day. My recommendation given the time and the distance to travel would be to take a taxi or car service directly to your Airbnb in Staten Island. However, if your budget doesn’t allow this, take the Q70-SBS bus from LGA to the Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights subway station. Take the F train towards Manhattan. At 34th st. in Manhattan, switch to the N train to Whitehall St. From there, the terminal is just a couple of minutes on foot. Keep in mind, you’ll want to check the MTA website for subway alerts. If there is trackwork, it’s likely to be overnight which could cause a detour. Good luck!
Hey Jackie! Thank you for your very informative article. I saw others posting questions and your answers were so helpful so I thought I would give it a try. There are 5 of us traveling to NYC for the first time. We all have 2 suitcases. We are staying in the upper west side and I wanted to take the public transportation to get the real New York experience. Our flight is scheduled to land at 2:55pm New Years Day. What’s our best route/bus option? We also have broadway tickets that evening for the 7:00 show. Will we have time to make that?
Thank you very much!
Hey Samantha! Thanks for reading. The upper west side is great. Take the M60-SBS (select bus service) from LGA into Manhattan. The bus goes west along 125th St. and has connections with several subway stations before turning down Broadway to 106th st. I’m not sure where on the upper west side you’re heading but if the bus doesn’t get you within walking distance, it’s likely you’ll need the 1,2, or 3 subway. These are the lines the run to the central areas of the upper west side. If you need the subway, my recommendation is to take the bus to 116th st. and connect with the 1 train going downtown. It makes stops at 116, 110, 103, 96, 86, 79, 72, 66, 59, 50, 42nd sts. (These last 2 stations are actually where most of the Broadway theaters are.) And, yes you should be fine to make that 7 pm show. 🙂
Does the M60 accommodate luggage? We will all have 2 suitcases. That was my only concern. The 79th street station is about a block from where we are staying so that’s perfect!
Hi Samantha,
It is a regular city bus so there are no luggage racks. However, the majority of the people on the bus will be travelers just you and your family. It’s unlikely you are the only ones with luggage. And in all honesty, NYers carry everything onto public transportation from bikes to strollers to grocery carts and even furniture…if you can believe that! 😉 Hope that helps.
Jackie
Hi Jackie! I am arriving Jan 2 at 4pm into LGA. I am staying at the Radisson Midtown Fifth Avenue. I would love to cut costs and take the least expensive way into the city but I am not very public transport friendly. Is it quite easy and clear to take the bus and subway? Which stations would I look for?
Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Jennie. What’s trickier about LGA (compared to JFK or Newark airports) is there isn’t a straightforward AirTrain to connect you with public transportation. However, the bus to the subway is meant to be traveler-friendly. You’ll need to look for the signs in arrivals for the Q70-SBS bus. Take it to Roosevelt Ave and 74th Street to connect to the subway at the Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights station. Transfer to the “E” train going towards Manhattan and World Trade Center and get off at the 5th Ave and 53rd Street stop. From there you’re less than 5 minutes on foot from the Radisson.
Thanks for reading, Jennie. What’s trickier about LGA (compared to JFK or Newark airports) is there isn’t a straightforward AirTrain to connect you with public transportation. However, the bus to the subway is meant to be traveler-friendly. You’ll need to look for the signs in arrivals for the Q70-SBS bus. Take it to Roosevelt Ave and 74th Street to connect to the subway at the Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights station. Transfer to the “E” train going towards Manhattan and World Trade Center and get off at the 5th Ave and 53rd Street stop. From there you’re less than 5 minutes from the Radisson.
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for all the great information on traveling to NYC! My partner and I are landing in LaGuardia on Thursday, January 9th about 11a. Our destination is the Row NYC hotel. From reading, it sounds best to take the Q70 SBS to Roosevelt Ave and 74th Street and connect to the 7. Is there a reason you recommend taking the 1, 2, or 3 to catch the M60 bus on the return route, instead of retracing our steps back to the airport? Our flight on Sunday is at 11:00a. I appreciate any thoughts you have!
Thanks for reading, Noel, and sorry for any confusion. The Q70 SBS to the #7 train is best if your hotel is in midtown. The M60 to the 1,2,3 trains is best for anyone staying on the upper west or east sides. Since your hotel is in midtown, it makes sense for you to do the Q70 to the 7 train on the return, too. And just FYI, you can also take the E or R trains at Roosevelt Ave and 74th St. also. The 7, E, and R trains go to 42nd street and bring you within a couple of blocks from your hotel. Have a great NYC trip!
Hi and thank you for this very informative site. We are wanting to travel by public transit (great price!) from LGA to the Cambria Times Sq Hotel next Tue, Jan.7th in the early afternoon. From reading your info I think we take the Q70 to Roosevelt/Jackson Heights and then transfer to the 7 train. Is that correct? Would we get off at Times Sq station or Bryant Park 5th Ave station, then walk to our hotel? Which would be the shorter walk?
Also, how would we make the return trip to LGA and how much time should we allow before our flight back to Canada? Thanks in advance for your help!
Thanks for reading, Kay. Taking the #7 train, I’d get off at Bryant Park and then walk up 5th Avenue to your hotel. From Roosevelt/Jackson Heights, you can also take the F or M trains towards Manhattan to the 47th St-50th St Rockefeller Center Station. If you do, look for signs pointing to the lower street numbers (47th St.) versus higher. If you exit at 47th St, your hotel is just 1 block away versus 4 blocks with the #7 train. Neither walk will take long so it’s your choice. 😉 For your return trip, simply do the same journey in reverse. You still want to make sure you’re at LGA 2 hours before your flight. I would give yourself a solid hour to do the return trip and more if you’re traveling back during busy commute times or during off-hours like late at night. Enjoy NYC!
Hi again Jackie. We had our quick little trip to NYC and the public transit worked well for us getting to our hotel. I just wanted to let you know we bought a MetroCard for $11.00 at LGA, thinking it would be good for 2 round-trips. However, I guess when changed from the Q70 at Roosevelt/74th Station and swiped our MetroCard at the subway turnstile, we were each charged an additional $2.75. We didn’t notice this until we swiped for our return trip to the airport and found our MetroCard had zero balance. (We hadn’t used it for anything else.) I don’t know if we did something wrong to have used up the entire $11.00 on our inbound transit, or if your info above about the free transfer from Select Buses to the subway might need to be updated… Thanks again for your help, and we did enjoy NYC and seeing the Christmas trees and lights still on display!
Hi Kay, Thanks for reporting back. I’m glad the public transportation worked well getting you to the hotel. I’m not sure what happened on the return. The transfer should be coded into your Metrocard and the subway should recognize that. Transfers are only good for 2 hours so unless you took more than 2 hours from the time you paid for the bus to get to the subway, I’m just not sure what happened. Sorry! Glad you enjoyed the Christmas lights and NYC, though!
Hi, Jackie – Great site ! Thanks so much for your informative points – I am flying into Laguardia on Sunday morning, arriving at 9:02 a.m. I am staying at the Club Quarters at 128 E. 45th Street – from Roosvelt/Jackson Heights, should I take the M subway or the 7 subway? Thank you. Fran
Thanks for reading, Fran. I would do the #7 train. Have a great trip to NYC!
Hi Jackie,
I will be travelling to NYC with my teenage son in March and will arrive on a Tuesday night about 8:30pm. Which do you think is a better or the easiest way to get to the Hilton Garden Inn West 35th from LGA? And also at the end of our trip?
Not familiar with the subway system at all, so is it a good idea to use it? Or if it’s shuttle, do I need to book ahead of time?
Thank you
Thanks so much for reading, Sharon. You would need to book the shuttle ahead of time. To go by public transportation, you’d need to take the Q-70 SBS bus to the subway station at Roosevelt Avenue and 74th St. (Depending on what terminal you arrive into at LGA, there may be a connector bus within the airport to get you to the closest Q-70 bus pickup in the airport.) At the subway station, take the F or M trains towards Manhattan and get off at 34th St. Herald Square. You are just a 2-minute walk from your hotel from there. Even if you decide to use the shuttle or a taxi from the airport, the NYC subway in Manhattan is safe and really useful. I recommend using it during your trip to get around the city. Download an app or a PDF version of the subway map to help you while you’re on the go. Have a great trip!
My adult son and I will be flying into LGA in the coming months. I will have an appointment with a Physician at HSS. I understand it’s located in upper Manhattan. I am an amputee of a lower limb. I wear a prosthesis and can walk pretty well. I do not move as quickly or as far as an able bodied person. What type of transportation would you recommend when leaving LGA?
Thanks for reading, Denise. If you are going directly to your doctor’s appointment, I’d take a taxi or car service from LGA. You can also do this to go to your hotel. However, you could also opt for the Go Airlink shuttle to your hotel if you’d like to save a bit of money. HSS is on the far east side of upper Manhattan. You’ll want to use a taxi to get there from your hotel because no subways exist that can take you that far east.
Hi! Thank you so much for this website! It’s so helpful.
I wanted to ask about LaGuardia to Jersey City. What’s the best way to go about this? I know there’s path, but I’ve never navigated the city before and will be going it alone.
Thanks!
Thanks for reading, Lizzy. You have a few options. You could take the M60 SBS bus from any of the LGA terminals into Manhattan. Get off at either 125 St. & Frederick Douglas or 125 St. & Lenox (they’re one after another) and take the 2, 3, B, or D trains downtown to 34th St. At 34th, you can connect to the PATH train to Jersey City. Another option is to take the Q70 SBS bus from Terminals B, C/D at LGA to 74th St & Roosevelt Ave where you can connect with the subway. Take the F or the R trains towards Manhattan. Get off at 34th Street and connect to the PATH. In all cases, you can transfer to the PATH underground via the tunnels. Thanks again for reading. 🙂
I will be traveling to NYC in a few weeks – how can I get to Chelsea (The Jane Hotel) from LGA, by subway or bus?
Thank you for reading, Christina. You’ll need to take both a bus and the subway. From Terminals B, C, & D at LGA, take the Q70-SBS bus to 74th Street and Roosevelt Ave. From here, you transfer to the “E” train. The train will be going in the direction of the World Trade Center. You want to exit at the 14th St/8th Ave stop. It’s a 5-7 minute walk from here. Walk south on 8th Ave. (opposite direction of the cars.) Turn right onto Jane Street and continue to your hotel. 🙂 Good luck and have a great trip to NYC!
I’m bummed out that the shuttles aren’t running anymore, but I’m going to try taking the M60 bus from LGA to the Upper West Side. If I don’t want to take the subway, what’s the best stop to get off the bus at to walk down to 80th and Columbus? Thanks so much for all your helpful information!
Thanks for reading, Emily. I know, the shuttles were really great. I hope they run them again soon. If you don’t want to take the subway, take the M60 to the last stop at 106th St. and Broadway. From there, the walk to 80th and Columbus is still a bit of a hike, particularly with bags. Blocks that run north and south (i.e., numbered streets, 106, 105, 104 etc.) are on average 1 mile per 20 blocks. So 106 to 86 is a mile, give or take. From Broadway over to Columbus is maybe .4 of a mile. NYers walk many blocks like this every day so it’s not terrible at all. But with luggage, it could get long. Hope that helps but feel free to respond if you have more questions. 🙂
Thanks, Jackie! This is super helpful. I appreciate you sharing all this info!
Of course! Hope you have a great trip to NYC. 🙂
I’m flying into Laguardia from UK on Friday landing at 5.30 pm. Me and my wife will have a large case each and need to get to 60 West 36th Street and would like to use public transport. What would be our best route?
Thanks for reading, Mark. The best option will be to take the Q70-SBS (Select Bus Service) to Roosevelt Ave. & 74th Street. You’ll still be in Queens, not yet Manhattan. From here, you transfer to the Subway. Take the F train (or the R or M trains, although the F makes fewer stops and should be a bit faster) to 34th St/Herald Square in Manhattan. This is right next to Macy’s Department Store and roughly 2 blocks from your hotel. Once at street level, you should see 6th Ave/Avenue of the Americas. Walk north (with the traffic) to W 36th St. Then turn right onto W 36th Street to get to number 60. Hope that helps and you have a great trip to NYC! 🙂
Thanks so much for this!! I’m bringing a college class (14 people total) to NYC this Sat., May 7). Following your guidance, we plan to take the Q70 from LaGuardia terminal B, C, or D to Roosevelt and 74th, then the E train to 42th and 8th. (We’re staying at 39th street, between 8th and 9th ave.). Does that all sound right?
My main question though regards returning to LaGuardia on Saturday, May 21. Our flight leaves at 8:00 a.m. Can we simpy retrace the above route? Does all the transit run that early? If not, what would be the least expensive option I should look into? What time do you suggest we leave the metro station at 42nd and 8th?
Thanks for reading, Greg. You are exactly right on how to get from LGA to Manhattan and your hotel. Even better, the Q70 is now free, as well. You’ll still need to pay for the subway though once you arrive at the E train. To return, it will be an early bell for sure. The transit does run 24/7 so no worries there. The E train schedule says there are trains at 42nd st every 20 minutes (4:41, 5:01, 5:21) on Saturday morning. However, what it says on the paper is not always the same as what arrives at the station when. So, give yourself at least an hour to get to LGA. The good news is there should be no traffic for the Q70. If you decide to avoid public transportation, I’d look at a company like Go Airlink (links in post) that offers van pickups to and from the airports for large groups. Hope that helps and you have a great time in NYC!
I really appreciate your reply–it puts my mind at ease. You are a good person!
I’m glad it helped, Greg. Thank you again for reading and enjoy your trip.