Airport Transfer from LaGuardia to Manhattan & Back

How to get from LGA to Manhattan and back

Getting from LaGuardia to Manhattan and vice versa can be simple if you know your options. Whether you prefer public transportation or private transfers, this article lists your options including info on transfer durations and prices.

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How to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan

With a distance of about eight miles, LaGuardia Airport in Queens is the closest airport to Manhattan. Compared to JFK and Newark airport, LGA mostly services domestic flights. If you fly internationally, you are more likely to land at JFK or Newark.

LaGuardia is well-connected to Manhattan and because of its proximity, it is the most convenient airport to fly into. Getting from LGA to Manhattan is not difficult at all but the abundance of options can be overwhelming. That’s why I have created a table that compares all your options followed by more detailed information on every transfer option.

Most Popular

Private Transfer

Cheapest

Public Transport

Taxi

Rideshares

Prices from 

Prices from 

$34

$2.75

$40

$15

Duration

Duration

40 minutes

50 minutes

40 minutes

40 minutes

Max. Capacity

Max. Capacity

5

n/a

4

6

Advantages

Advantages

  • convenient
  • door-to-door service
  • cheap
  • fast
  • door-to-door service
  • flexibility
  • door-to-door service
  • flexibility

Disadvantages

Disadvantages

  • duration dependent on traffic
  • crowded during rush hour
  • no door-to-door service
  • duration dependent on traffic
  • app and internet connection required
  • duration dependent on traffic

1. Reserve a Private Transfer

A more convenient way to get from LGA to Manhattan is by scheduling a private airport transfer. They are available 24/7 and will drop you off at your hotel or address of choice in Manhattan. Upon arriving at LaGuardia Airport, you will need to call the number given on your booking confirmation (which you will receive immediately) and your car will arrive promptly.

Prices for the private transfer vary by group size. It will cost you $52 if you travel alone, but only $14 per person if you travel in a party of five. That being said, the transfer may not be the best option if you are traveling alone or as a couple. It’s great, however, for three to five people, making it a great and family-friendly airport transfer from LaGuardia to Manhattan. Do not be surprised, however, if your fare ends up a few dollars higher. That is because the prepaid amount does not include tolls and tip.

LGA TO MANHATTAN MANHATTAN TO LGA

  • The total cost for this transfer varies between $23 – $52 person

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2. Use Public Transportation

Bus from LaGuardia to Manhattan

If your plan is to use public transportation from LGA to Manhattan, you have three options: Bus lines Q70 or M60 Bus followed by the subway and the New York Airport Express Bus.

Q70 SBS (Select Bus Service)

The bus links LaGuardia terminals B, C and D with the subway in Jackson Heights and Woodside and the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). These are the only stops outside of LGA, offering you a quick connection. Jackson Heights connects to subway lines EFMR7 and Woodside Subway brings you to line 7 as well as the LIRR.

The bus runs 24/7, 7 days a week and only costs $2.75, the price of a subway fare. Out of all options, it is the cheapest way to get from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan. Because of its low fare, the Q70 bus is a great option unless you carry a lot of luggage with you. At Jackson Heights or Woodside, you also have to transfer to the subway in order to get to your destination in Manhattan. The transfer between the bus and the subway is free.

Q70 bus map Subway Map

To board Bus Q70, you need to have a ticket. You can purchase it at machines inside the terminals or pay the fare with a MetroCard if you already have one.

  • The total cost for this transfer is $2.75 per person

M60 SBS (Select Bus Service)

MTA bus line M60 will take you as far as 106th Street in Manhattan and also only costs $2.75 per person. Compared to Q70, it has many more stops and doesn’t lead you to Midtown Manhattan. Instead, it runs to Harlem, north of Central Park. Many stops along the M60 Bus route are connected to the subway, so you won’t have any trouble getting to your hotel or accommodation in Manhattan. The transfer between the bus and the subway is free. Check the stops along the M60 route and subway connections before boarding the bus. Taking this bus only makes sense if your hotel is in Uptown Manhattan. Otherwise, you are better off taking the Q70 line.

M60 BUS map Subway Map

In order to board M60 SBS, you need to have a ticket. You can collect it at the machine outside the bus stop or, if you already have a MetroCard, use your MetroCard to pay the fare.

  • The total cost for this transfer is $2.75 per person

New York Airporter Bus

The New York Airporter Bus operates every 30 minutes between 11 am and 7 pm.  Compared to the M60 Bus, however, it is more expensive. It is only worth it if your hotel is located in proximity to one of the stops. The NYC airport shuttle bus stops at three locations in Midtown. You can get off at the following stations:

    • Grand Central Terminal
    • Port Authority Bus Terminal
    • Times Square

The Airporter bus departs at LaGuardia Airport terminals B, C and D. You will need to get a ticket before boarding the bus. Simply look for red “Express Bus” signs at the baggage claim or reserve it online.

  • The total cost for this transfer is $16 per person (+ $2.75 for a subway ride, if applicable)

3. Take a Taxi

There is no flat fare for your taxi ride from LaGuardia to Manhattan. You will be charged the standard metered fare, which will be around $40 + tolls and tip. When exiting the airport, simply head towards the Yellow Cabs standing outside. You won’t be able to miss the taxi stand!

Some individuals may approach you offering you a taxi. Do not ride with them!

In order to operate as a taxi in NYC, a taxi medallion is required. The downside of taxing a taxi from LGA to Manhattan is that you may have to wait in line, depending on demand. Taxis are queued up in front of every terminal and the taxi stand has an attendant who will steer you to the next taxi in line.

  • The total cost for this transfer varies between $35 – $50.

4. Book a Rideshare

Rideshares can oftentimes save you money. If you want to use rideshare from LGA to Manhattan, you have two options: LGA Connect or conventional ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft.

LGA Connect

At the end of 2019, Port Authority launched the “LGA Connect” airport rideshare service in collaboration with Via. The pilot-program offers flat-rate shared rides from LGA to all five boroughs, including Manhattan. working to reduce congestion by providing affordable ride shares. A ride to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens costs $15 while a ride to Staten Island or the Bronx costs $20.

You can book LGA Connect rides 7 days a week between 8 am and 1 am via the app. There is a designated LGA Connect pickup point outside of terminals C and D. Once booked, you will be matched with passengers headed in the same direction. You can expect to depart within 10 minutes. If you don’t have the app yet, you can download it here:

Via for iOs Via for Android

  • The total cost for this transfer is $15.

Uber

No matter where you are in New York City, you can always call an Uber (or Lyft). That also applies to your transfer from LaGuardia to Manhattan. Simply download the app and request a ride. If you’re new to UBER, you can sign up using the promo code “selwynt1” that takes $5 off your first ride. Before you even book the ride, you will see a fare estimate based on distance and the selection you’ve made (pool or private). Once you book your ride, your driver will pick you up within minutes. The UBER app will take care of the payment via the credit card details you submitted. If you want to get a feel for Uber’s pricing before traveling to New York, check out their fare estimate tool.

Sign up Get a fare estimate

Taking an Uber lets you be flexible, however, depending on demand, prices may surge and you end up paying more than you expected.

  • The total cost for this transfer varies between $45 – $60.
Steffen Kneist Loving New York
LGA to Manhattan

My personal pick

I am a big fan of public transportation and always use the subway or bus system where available. Once you’ve read where to catch the bus and where to change into the subway, it’s really not too difficult. If you do carry heavy luggage or are traveling with children, however, public transportation may be quite tiring and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.

My recommendations:
Traveling alone or as a couple? ➡️ Shuttle
Traveling as a party of 3-5? ➡️ Private transfer
Traveling as a party > 5? ➡️ Multiple private transfers or a shuttle
Traveling with kids? ➡️ Private transfer

Getting from Manhattan to LaGuardia

Getting to LaGuardia from Manhattan is easy. All you have to do is choose an option above and do it in reverse. In order to get from Manhattan to LGA, you have the following options:

  • taxi directly to the airport
  • private transfer directly to the airport
  • shuttle bus directly to the airport
  • subway, followed by bus
  • rideshares (like Via, Uber or Lyft) directly to the airport

Always be sure to allow some extra time when getting to the airport. Generally speaking, you should be at the airport two hours before your departure when catching a domestic flight and three hours before departure before an international flight.


FAQ

How far is LaGuardia from Manhattan?
LaGuardia is the closest airport to Manhattan. It is only 8 miles away, making it the most convenient airport to fly into. Nevertheless, more flights land and depart from JFK and EWR as these are larger airports. Especially, if you are taking an international flight, you will probably be flying into JFK or Newark Airport.

How long does it take to get from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan?
Depending on the transfer you choose and where your hotel is located, your trip from LGA to Manhattan can take anything from 20 minutes to one hour.

How much does it cost to get from LGA to Manhattan?
Your transfer from Manhattan to LGA or the other way around can cost anything from $3 to 20 per person, depending on the transfer you select.

Is there a flat rate from LaGuardia to Manhattan?
No. LGA is so close to Manhattan that the standard metered fare applies to all taxi rides from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan. You can expect to pay about $25.

Is there a subway to LaGuardia Airport?
No, but you can take a bus! Your best option is to take MTA’s M60 Bus. It will only cost you $2.75 and is, therefore, the cheapest transfer from LGA to Manhattan.

Profilbild Steffen Kneist
About the author

Steffen

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide. Also check out my hotel finder for New York!

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