LGA Airport
Getting to Manhattan — fastest, cheapest, easiest
At a Glance
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To Midtown
35–60 min via Q70 + Subway
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Yellow Cab
~$35–55 metered (no flat rate)
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Terminals
A, B (main), C (Delta) — no Terminal D
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No Rail
Only NYC airport with no direct train
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No Direct Rail at LGA
LaGuardia is the only major US airport with no rail connection.
Your best public transit option is the Q70-SBS "LGA Link" bus to the subway at
Jackson Heights — just one subway fare ($3.00) covers the whole trip.
Rideshare is fastest when traffic is light; Yellow Cab is the stress-free middle ground.
Compare Your Options
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Fastest
20–60m
Uber / Lyft
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Cheapest
$3
Q70 Bus + Subway
😌
Easiest
$35–$65
Yellow Cab
All Exit Options
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1
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Take the free Q70-SBS 'LaGuardia Link' bus from Terminal B or C (from Terminal A, ride the free terminal shuttle to B first)
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2
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Get off at Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av (E, F, R, 7; M weekdays) or Woodside–61 St (7 and LIRR) and pay one subway fare
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3
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Take subway to Midtown: E/M to Fifth Av or Midtown (25 min), 7 to Times Sq, R to 34th St
💡 Pro Tip
The Q70 stops at Terminals C and B, then Jackson Heights and Woodside. The bus is free, so you only pay when you enter the subway ($3.00). Terminal A passengers take the free all-terminals shuttle to Terminal B, or the Q33 to Jackson Heights.
Q70 runs 24/7: every 6–10 minutes on weekday daytimes, about every 10 minutes on weekend daytimes, and about every 20 minutes overnight (MTA timetable, Sept 2026). The bus can be slow in airport traffic, so budget extra time at peak hours. Subway from Jackson Heights to Midtown is 25–35 min.
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1
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Open Uber/Lyft — set pickup to your terminal's rideshare zone, NOT the departures curb
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2
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Terminal A: directly across the street. Terminal B: Level 2 of the Terminal B parking garage. Terminal C: arrivals inner lane. Follow 'Ride App Pick Up' signs.
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3
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Direct to your Manhattan destination — fastest option when traffic is light
💡 Pro Tip
Don't request the car until you're outside with your bags — LGA rideshare pickup zones fill quickly and your driver won't wait. Off-peak (mid-morning, early afternoon) rides are significantly cheaper.
LGA traffic can be severe on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, pushing ride times over 60 min. Surge pricing at those times can reach $70–80 for a Midtown ride. Off-peak, LGA is often the fastest airport to get out of.
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1
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Follow 'Taxi' signs to the Ground Transportation / Arrivals Level of your terminal
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2
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Official Yellow Cab dispatch queue — metered fare, typically $35–55 to Midtown
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3
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Add tip (~15–20%). LGA is the closest NYC airport to Midtown — rides are shorter and cheaper than JFK.
💡 Pro Tip
Only use the official Yellow Cab dispatch queue at the curb. Do NOT accept rides from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal. LGA yellow cab fares to Midtown are metered — typically $35–55 before tip, far less than the $70 JFK flat rate.
LGA to Midtown is 7–14 miles depending on your destination, making it one of the cheapest cab rides from any NYC airport. Traffic is still the main variable — avoid rush hours if possible.
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1
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Take M60-SBS from LGA terminal toward Manhattan — boards at the arrivals curb
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2
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Stops at Astoria Blvd (N/W train), 125th St (2/3/4/5/6 trains, A/B/C/D), and continues west
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3
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Transfer to subway toward Midtown — useful if heading to Upper West Side or Harlem
💡 Pro Tip
The M60 is slower than the Q70 for Midtown-bound travelers, but better if you're heading to the Upper West Side or connecting to the A train at 125th St. Off-peak, service is every 12–15 min.
M60 runs 24 hours but frequency drops significantly overnight. During airport peak hours, bus traffic on the LGA expressway can make this route unreliable. Use Q70 for Midtown — M60 for Upper Manhattan.
Terminal Guide
🚌 Bus: N/A — bus pickup on Arrivals Level
📍 Pickup: Q70 bus stop outside on the arrivals level; rideshare on Level 2 of the Terminal B parking garage; taxi stand at curbside arrivals, Level 2.
Terminal B is LGA's main hub and the busiest terminal. The renovated building (reopened 2022) has better wayfinding. Q70 stop is directly outside baggage claim on the lower level.
🚌 Bus: N/A — bus pickup on Arrivals Level
📍 Pickup: Arrivals level — Q70 stops outside (Terminal C is the first stop); rideshare in the arrivals inner lane; taxi stand at curbside arrivals, Level 1.
Delta's new Terminal C (opened 2022) is the best terminal at LGA — modern, less crowded, faster security. The connector to the parking garage and Q70 stop is well-signed from baggage claim.
Service Status
Before You Leave
🧳
Luggage Storage Near LGA
Store bags in Jackson Heights or Manhattan before your flight. Manhattan spots from $5.50/day.
Find storage near LGA →
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Hotels Near LGA
Walking-distance options on Ditmars Blvd and free-shuttle hotels in East Elmhurst.
Compare LGA hotels →
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US eSIM (Holafly)
Arriving from abroad? Get a US eSIM before you land — instant data, no roaming charges, works the moment you turn airplane mode off.
Get a US eSIM →
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NYC Tours & Attractions
Book the Statue of Liberty, observation decks, and top city tours before you land — most offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Browse NYC tours →
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Pre-Book a LaGuardia Car
A private car between LaGuardia and Manhattan, booked ahead at a fixed price — from around $37 on Viator. The easiest option for families or a late flight. Most offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
See airport transfers →
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LGA Airport Parking
Central garage connects to all terminals via covered walkway. Book ahead to guarantee a spot.
Find LGA parking →
Frequently Asked
What is the cheapest way to get from LGA to Manhattan?
The Q70-SBS 'LGA Link' bus to the subway is the cheapest option — just one subway fare ($3.00 with OMNY). The bus itself is free from Terminals B and C; you pay only when you enter the subway at Jackson Heights or Woodside. The full trip to Midtown takes 35–60 minutes.
Compare all LGA transit options →
Is there a train from LGA to Manhattan?
No — LaGuardia is the only major US airport without a direct rail link to the city. The Q70-SBS bus connects the airport to the subway system at Jackson Heights (E, F, R, 7, and the M on weekdays) and Woodside (7 and LIRR). There are long-standing plans for a rail link, but as of 2026 none is operational.
NYC Subway guide →
How do I get from LaGuardia to Brooklyn?
The cheapest way is $3.00: take the free Q70 LaGuardia Link from Terminal B or C to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av, then the F or R straight into Brooklyn, or the E to Court Sq and the G for Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Fort Greene. Allow roughly 40–85 minutes depending on the neighborhood. Taxis are metered; the airport estimates $28–50 to Downtown Brooklyn before tip and tolls.
Full LaGuardia to Brooklyn guide →
How much is a taxi from LGA to Manhattan?
LGA taxis are metered — there is no flat rate like at JFK. A typical Midtown Manhattan ride costs $35–55 before tip, depending on traffic. LGA is much closer to Midtown than JFK, so cab fares are significantly lower. Add 15–20% tip. Avoid the taxi line during rush hour — waits can exceed 20 minutes.
How do I take the Q70 bus from LGA?
The Q70-SBS 'LGA Link' bus stops at Terminals B and C (from Terminal A, take the free terminal shuttle to B). The bus is free. At Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av you can take the E, F, R, or 7 toward Manhattan (the M runs there on weekdays only), paying the normal $3.00 subway fare. The bus runs 24/7, every 6–10 minutes on weekday daytimes and about every 20 minutes overnight.
Full LGA from NYC guide →
Which terminal is Delta at LGA?
Delta operates exclusively from Terminal C, which opened in 2022 and was fully completed in 2024. The old Terminal D no longer exists — it was absorbed into the new Terminal C, so all Delta and Delta Connection check-in, security, gates, lounges, and baggage claim are now in one building with 37 gates across four concourses. LaGuardia today has three terminals: A, B, and C. Check the Delta app for your gate assignment.
How long does LGA to Midtown Manhattan take?
LGA is the closest NYC airport to Midtown — only 7–9 miles. By rideshare or taxi: 20–25 minutes with light traffic, 45–60 minutes in rush hour. By Q70 bus + subway: 35–60 minutes total. Despite the short distance, LGA traffic and slow bus connections make it feel farther than it is.
Where do I get an Uber or Lyft at LGA?
Rideshare pickup at Terminal A is directly across the street, at Terminal B on Level 2 of the Terminal B parking garage, and at Terminal C in the arrivals inner lane. Follow the 'Ride App Pick Up' signs. Request your car only after you've collected your luggage and are walking out — pickup zones at LGA move quickly and drivers won't wait.
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