In a nutshell
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is New York’s main hub for domestic flights — and it’s actually closer to Manhattan than JFK.
- There are several ways to get from LGA into the city — from budget-friendly bus rides to comfortable private transfers.
- Our top pick: the Q70-SBS bus combined with the subway or LIRR. The bus itself is free — you only pay for the onward train ride.
- We break down every option in detail so you can get from the airport to Manhattan stress-free and without overpaying.
Transfer to and from LGA Airport: An Overview
To start, here’s a quick overview of all transfer options to and from LaGuardia Airport:
| Price | Duration | Purchase Option | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q70 Bus + Train Top Pick | approx. $2.90–$8.25 | approx. 30–45 min. | on-site |
| Taxi | approx. $40–$65 | approx. 30–60 min. | on-site |
| Private Transfer | approx. $60–$100 | approx. 30–60 min. | Book now |
Q70-SBS + Train from LGA Airport to the City
- Lines: Q70-SBS + Subway lines E, F, M, R, 7 (from Roosevelt Av/74 St) or 7 + LIRR (from Woodside)
- Travel time: approx. 30–45 minutes
- Operating hours: 24/7, around the clock 365 days a year
- Frequency: Q70 bus every 8–10 minutes, subway every 4–12 minutes depending on the line, LIRR every 15–30 minutes
Where do the bus and train stop? The Q70-SBS (also known as the LaGuardia Link) runs directly to and from all terminals at LaGuardia Airport — well-signed and super easy to find. The bus takes you either to the Roosevelt Av/74 St station (for the subway) or to the LIRR station at Woodside (for the train to Manhattan). Both stops are in the Queens neighborhood.
Where do you board? You board the Q70-SBS directly at your terminal. Depending on your connection, you then transfer to the subway at Jackson Heights or to the LIRR at Woodside and continue toward Manhattan.
When to take the subway? When to take the LIRR? The subway is perfect if you’re heading to Queens, the East Side of Manhattan, or near Times Square. The LIRR is the better call for the west side of Manhattan.
What does the Q70 + subway or LIRR cost? The Q70-SBS bus is free. If you then board the subway, you pay $2.90 per ride. If you continue with the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road), you pay $5.25 to $8.25 depending on the time of day.
Where do you buy your ticket? You don’t need a ticket for the Q70-SBS. You can pay for the subway directly with a contactless credit card, smartphone, or an OMNY card at the turnstile. For the LIRR, you’ll need to buy your ticket at a machine at the station or use the MTA TrainTime app.
Find more info about the OMNY system and the NYC subway here!
Pros:
- Very affordable way to get from LGA into the city
- Q70 is an express bus with few intermediate stops
- Quick connection to major subway lines and the LIRR
- Available around the clock
Cons:
- Transfer required (bus to subway or LIRR)
- A bit inconvenient with large luggage
- LIRR costs extra depending on the time of day
Taxi from LGA Airport to the City
- Travel time: approx. 30–60 minutes
- Operating hours: 24/7, around the clock 365 days a year
- Frequency: Taxis are normally available at the airport at any time; brief wait times possible during peak hours
Where do taxis stop? The official Yellow Cabs can be found at all terminals right outside the exit. There are dedicated taxi waiting areas that are well-signed. An attendant will assign you an official cab — no need to figure it out yourself.
Where do you board? Once you exit the terminal, follow the signs to the “Taxi Dispatch Area.” An airport staff member will assign you to an available taxi from there.
What’s the taxi fare from LGA to Manhattan? There’s no flat rate for rides from LaGuardia Airport like there is at JFK Airport. The fare depends on the time of day, traffic, and your destination. Expect to pay around $40 to $65 including tolls and tip — so the taxi LGA to Manhattan fare can add up quickly during rush hour.
How do you pay for the taxi? Payment is made directly in the cab — either by cash or credit card. All Yellow Cabs have card readers. Make sure you get a receipt at the end. Better safe than sorry.
Pros:
- Direct, no transfers, right to your door or accommodation
- Ideal with a lot of luggage or after a long, exhausting flight
- Payment by credit card is no problem
- No transfer hassle
Cons:
- Significantly more expensive than public transit
- No flat rate — the final price depends on traffic
- Can get slow and costly during rush hour
Private Transfer from LGA Airport to the City
- Travel time: approx. 30–60 minutes
- Operating hours: 24/7, around the clock 365 days a year (depending on the provider — advance booking recommended)
- Frequency: by advance booking or pickup at the booked time; wait time possible if your flight is delayed
Where does the private transfer stop? The vehicles pick you up directly outside your arrival terminal. The exact pickup point will be confirmed before your arrival.
Where do you board? You board directly at the terminal exit — either your driver will meet you with a name sign, or you’ll get a text or email shortly before arrival with the meeting point and vehicle details.
What does the private transfer cost? Prices depend on the provider, vehicle type, and destination. For a one-way trip to Manhattan, expect to pay around $60 to $100 per vehicle. Larger vehicles cost more. Payment is usually made online in advance. A tip (approx. 15–20%) is generally expected on top of that.
Where do you book the private transfer? Popular and reliable providers for private transfers from LaGuardia Airport include Go Airlink NYC and transfer services through GetYourGuide. You can book everything online in advance — including your flight number and pickup time.
Book LGA Airport Private Transfer on GetYourGuide
Book LGA Airport Private Transfer with Go AirLink
Pros:
- Super comfortable and stress-free, especially with luggage or kids
- Driver waits for you — even with flight delays
- Fixed prices with no surprises (unlike a taxi)
- No transfers, no searching
- Door-to-door service
Cons:
- More expensive than bus + subway
- Must be booked in advance
- Rebooking may be necessary if your flight time changes
Hotels at LaGuardia Airport New York: Our Tips
Is your flight leaving very early in the morning, or are you landing late at night? Then it might be worth spending a night near the airport. There’s a solid selection of hotels around LaGuardia Airport — here are our top picks:
Aloft New York LaGuardia Airport: A modern, stylish hotel with a free airport shuttle — perfect for a short, convenient stay right near the airport.
New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott: A classic, comfortable airport hotel with particularly good soundproofing — ideal if you’re after a genuinely quiet night’s sleep.
Find more New York hotels here:
Frequently Asked Questions about LaGuardia Airport
How much does an Uber from LaGuardia to Manhattan cost?
An Uber from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan typically costs between $40 and $70 — depending on your destination, time of day, traffic, and demand.
During rush hour or bad weather, the price can climb higher.
The exact fare is shown in the app before you confirm the booking.
Also keep in mind that Uber drivers aren’t stationed at the airport like taxis, so you may wait a bit longer for pickup.
Is there a free shuttle from LaGuardia to Manhattan?
No, there’s no free direct shuttle from LaGuardia to Manhattan. That said, the Q70-SBS bus from the airport to the nearest subway station is completely free and part of the public transit system.
It gets you into the city quickly and affordably — you’ll just need to transfer to the subway or LIRR to complete the journey.
Is it better to fly into JFK or LaGuardia for Manhattan?
It depends on where in Manhattan you’re headed. Generally speaking, LaGuardia is closer to the city center and works especially well for Upper Manhattan or Midtown destinations.
JFK is farther out, but offers more international connections and solid access via AirTrain and subway.
For shorter domestic trips, LaGuardia is often the smarter choice.
Can you buy an OMNY card at LaGuardia Airport?
Yes! At LaGuardia Airport you can pick up an OMNY top-up card at machines in the terminal area. You’ll need one of these to use the bus and subway around New York.
Even easier: skip the card altogether and just tap your contactless credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch directly at the turnstile — it works just as well.
