How to Get from LaGuardia to Manhattan
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Getting from LaGuardia to Manhattan can feel overwhelming when you’re not familiar with the New York area. You arrive into 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 is the closest airport to Manhattan. Distance-wise, it’s about 8 miles from LaGuardia Airport to Times Square but the airport’s $8 billion construction renovation has made getting in, around, and out of LaGuardia a little trickier. The good news is things are s-l-o-w-l-y improving and transportation from LaGuardia to Manhattan is becoming manageable again.
Take a Taxi from LGA to NYC
Metered taxi service is available at all LaGuardia Airport terminal buildings. A taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan has no flat fee like there is from JFK to Manhattan. Since the ride is on the meter, costs will depend on where you need to go to in Manhattan, the amount of traffic you experience, and the amount of time spent in the taxi.
Generally, a taxi from LGA to Manhattan can cost you between $35-$50, not including tolls, tip, and any applicable surcharges. But, keep in mind, an LGA to Manhattan taxi fare can be significantly more during peak traffic times and/or if your NYC hotel is outside of midtown.
Arrange a Car Service from LaGuardia to Midtown
Similarly, pre-arranged car services and app-based car services like Uber and Lyft offer transportation from LGA to Manhattan. But, you’ll need to navigate the current construction issues.
The good news is passengers arriving in Terminal B no longer need to take a shuttle bus to the area where car services wait for their pickups. (Hallelujah! This was such a pain!)
If you arrive into Terminal B, your car service will pick you up on the 2nd level of the new Terminal B parking garage. From the departures level, follow the signs to the temporary, covered walkway that connects to the 2nd level of the garage.
The pick-up areas for Terminals A, C, and D are outside the terminals. The best thing to do is to make contact with your driver to let them know where you are once you’ve exited the baggage claim area.
Depending on the type of vehicle you book and the time of day, costs can range from $40.00 to $75.00. This is just a general range. Prices can certainly be higher.
Again, traffic in and around NYC is always a factor. 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. But, the amount of time it takes to get from LaGuardia to NYC could be as quick as 30 minutes or it could also take over an hour.
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.
Shuttle transportation from LGA to NYC is available 24/7 and can be reserved ahead of time for a stress-free arrival into New York City.
How to Take the Bus from LaGuardia to Manhattan
Unlike JFK and Newark, LaGuardia is the only major NYC airport with no direct rail link. The only direct public transportation available is via bus. You’ll need to take a private company bus transfer to Manhattan or the NYC MTA buses directly into Manhattan with the option to make connections to the NYC subway system from bus stops along the routes.
Private Company Express Bus from LGA to Manhattan
The Golden Touch Bus is an official express bus operator for the Port Authority. The service has 3 dropoff locations in Manhattan, Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal & Times Square.
Keep in mind, this express bus is not door-to-door service, so unless your NYC hotel is near to one of the stops, you’ll need to walk, hail a taxi or take the subway to your final destination. The good news is these 3 dropoff locations are in prime locations with easy access to taxis and the NYC subway.
This bus costs $16.00 for a one-way ticket and $30.00 for a round-trip ticket and reservations can be made online ahead of time. However, round-trip service is only available from Grand Central and Port Authority Bus Terminal. There is no return service from Times Square.
If you arrive into Terminals B, C, or D, look for the red signs directing you to the Golden Touch Transportation podium just beyond the ground transportation area. Passengers arriving into LaGuardia Terminal A will need to walk to Terminal B, C, or D.
Keep in mind, Express Bus Service is available 7 days a week but only between the hours of 11 am-7 pm. Buses depart on the hour. This means if you just miss a bus, you’ll have to wait about an hour until the next departure.
As with any time you’re on the roads in New York City, take the word “express” with a grain of salt. The ride from LaGuardia to Midtown will typically take about an hour.
Take the Subway from LGA to Manhattan via NYC/MTA Bus
LaGuardia is served by the M60 and Q70, both of which are Select Bus Service (SBS) lines. This means you need to pay your fare before boarding the bus in an attempt to load passengers onto the bus more quickly. You can use a MetroCard or the exact amount in coins to pay your fare. You’ll be given a ticket printout to show proof of payment on the bus if/when asked.
MetroCards can be purchased at MetroCard vending machines located in the LaGuardia Airport terminals. A one-way trip on city buses or subways costs $2.75. Passengers using MetroCards on Select Buses from LaGuardia get a free transfer to the subway. If it’s your first trip to NYC, just swipe the MetroCard at the subway turnstile and the transfer will register.
The M60 SBS runs 24/7 from the LaGuardia Airport Terminals to Broadway and W. 106 Street in Manhattan. Along the way, there are several stops with NYC subway connections. My preference is always to get to a subway as quick as possible because it beats being on the roads with the NYC traffic. And, I recommend you do the same.
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 train track in Queens before it goes underground in Manhattan.
(UPDATE: The Astoria Blvd. station is closed for repairs until the end of 2019. Stay on the M60 into Manhattan or use the Q70 bus discussed below.)
This is important because it means you’ll have to carry your bag(s) up some stairs to get to the subway platform. However, both the N and W trains make stops in Times Square, 34th Street/Herald Square, and have free connections to numerous other subway lines.
If you choose to stay on the M60 into Manhattan, the bus goes across 125th Street and has subway connections along the way with the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, and D trains before finishing close to 116th Street and access to the 1 train.
If your NYC hotel is in midtown, though, the best way to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan via the bus and subway combo is with the new-ish Q70-SBS line.
The Q70 SBS runs nonstop service connecting LaGuardia Airport Terminals B, C, and D to subway and Long Island Railroad connections in Jackson Heights and Woodside, Queens. This is a relatively newer SBS route from LaGuardia designed to be truly traveler friendly with things like luggage racks.
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 and Times Square. 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.
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. The only exception is there’s no Golden Touch Express Bus from Times Square. Car services and the Go Airlink Shuttle can be reserved ahead of time.
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. If your New York City hotel is near Times Square or in midtown west, 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.
So, what’s the best way to get from LGA to Manhattan?
Undoubtedly, the cheapest way to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan is by M60 or Q70 SBS connecting to the NYC subway. You just can’t beat a $2.75 New York airport transfer!
On the flipside, 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 taxi ride, the Go Airlink Shuttle is a happy medium. And, it edges out the Golden Touch Express Bus service because the shuttle is door-to-door and can be booked for the time your flight arrives versus waiting for the next bus on the hour.
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.