LGA Airport
Getting to Manhattan — fastest, cheapest, easiest
At a Glance
🚌
To Midtown
35–60 min via Q70 + Subway
🚕
Yellow Cab
~$35–55 metered (no flat rate)
✈️
Terminals
B (main), C (Delta new), D (Delta old)
⚠️
No Rail
Only NYC airport with no direct train
🚫🚆
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
⚡
Fastest
20–60m
Uber / Lyft
💰
Cheapest
$3
Q70 Bus + Subway
😌
Easiest
$35–$65
Yellow Cab
All Exit Options
-
1
🚌
Take the Q70-SBS 'LGA Link' bus from any terminal — free MTA shuttle, no fare needed on the bus
-
2
🚇
Ride to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av (E/M/R/7/F trains) or Woodside (7 train) — free transfer from Q70
-
3
🚆
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 picks up outside every terminal on the lower level. Tap your OMNY card on the bus — this 'starts' your journey and the subway transfer is free within 2 hours. Don't tap again on the subway platform.
Q70 runs every 7–10 minutes, 6am–1am. Outside those hours, take M60 or rideshare. The bus can be slow in airport traffic — budget extra time during peak hours. Subway from Jackson Heights to Midtown is 25–35 min.
-
1
🚶
Open Uber/Lyft — set pickup to your terminal's rideshare zone, NOT the departures curb
-
2
🚗
Terminal B: Rideshare on Level 1 outside Door 4. Terminal C: follow 'Ride App Vehicles' signs to Arrivals Level.
-
3
🚗
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.
-
1
🚶
Follow 'Taxi' signs to the Ground Transportation / Arrivals Level of your terminal
-
2
🚗
Official Yellow Cab dispatch queue — metered fare, typically $35–55 to Midtown
-
3
🚗
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.
-
1
🚌
Take M60-SBS from LGA terminal toward Manhattan — boards at the arrivals curb
-
2
🚌
Stops at Astoria Blvd (N/W train), 125th St (2/3/4/5/6 trains, A/B/C/D), and continues west
-
3
🚶
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: Arrivals Level (lower road) — Q70 bus stop directly outside; rideshare at Door 4; Yellow Cab at Door 6.
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; rideshare pickup zone on the west end of Arrivals; Yellow Cab at the east curb.
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.
🚌 Bus: N/A — connected to Terminal C via connector bridge
📍 Pickup: Use Terminal C exits for ground transportation — D and C share ground transport zone.
Delta is consolidating into Terminal C. If your gate says D, you'll likely use Terminal C for ground transportation. Check Delta app for your specific gate.
Service Status
Before You Leave
🧳
Luggage Storage Near LGA
Store bags in Jackson Heights or Manhattan before your flight. From $6/day.
Find storage near LGA →
🏨
Hotels Near LGA
Walking-distance options on Ditmars Blvd and free-shuttle hotels in East Elmhurst.
Compare LGA hotels →
📶
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 →
🗽
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 →
🚗
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 is free; tap your card on the Q70 and get a free transfer to the subway at Jackson Heights. 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/M/R/7/F trains) and Woodside (7 train). There are long-standing plans for a rail link, but as of 2026 none is operational.
NYC Subway 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 outside the arrivals level of every LGA terminal. The bus itself is free — tap your OMNY card when boarding. At Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av, you can transfer for free to the E, M, R, 7, or F subway trains toward Manhattan. The bus runs every 7–10 minutes from approximately 6am to 1am.
Full LGA from NYC guide →
Which terminal is Delta at LGA?
Delta operates from the new Terminal C (opened 2022), which is their primary LGA hub. Some Delta flights still use gates in Terminal D, which connects to Terminal C via a covered bridge. When in doubt, 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 B is on the Arrivals Level (lower road) near Door 4. At Terminal C, follow 'Ride App Vehicles' signs to the designated pickup zone on the Arrivals Level. 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.
Something outdated or incorrect? Report an error →