You just landed. Your bags are heavy, the humidity is probably hitting you like a wet blanket if it's summer, and you’re standing at the curb of a billion-dollar terminal wondering how on earth you're supposed to get from LaGuardia Airport to Brooklyn NY without losing your mind or your entire travel budget. It’s a classic New York puzzle.
Honestly? There is no "best" way. There is only the way that sucks the least for your specific destination, because Brooklyn is massive. Taking a cab to Greenpoint is a totally different sport than trying to get to Bay Ridge. If you treat Brooklyn like one single neighborhood, you're going to end up sitting in traffic on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) for ninety minutes watching your Uber fare climb into the triple digits.
The Reality of the "Free" Shuttle and the G Train
Most people see the signs for the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus and think they’ve cracked the code. They haven't. Not really.
The Q70 is great if you’re heading to Manhattan or parts of Brooklyn served by the G or the L. You hop on the bus at the terminal—it’s free, which is rare for NYC—and it zips you to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av station. From there, you’re looking for the G train if you’re heading toward Williamsburg or Bedford-Stuyvesant.
But here is the catch: the G train doesn't go to Manhattan, and it's notorious for weekend "service improvements" that basically mean it isn't running. You'll be standing on a hot platform in Queens with your rolling suitcase, wondering why you didn't just pay for the car. If you're going to South Brooklyn—places like Bensonhurst or Coney Island—taking the subway from LGA is a two-hour odyssey involving at least two transfers. Just don't do it.
Car Services vs. Ride-Hailing Apps
You’ve got options here. Uber, Lyft, and Revel (the blue Teslas) all operate out of LGA. Then you have the iconic yellow cabs.
Wait in the taxi line.
I know, it feels old school. But the yellow cab line at LaGuardia is usually efficient, and unlike Uber, there is no "surge" pricing based on a rainy Tuesday. You pay the metered rate. For a trip from LaGuardia Airport to Brooklyn NY, you’re generally looking at $45 to $80 plus tip, depending on whether you’re going to the Navy Yard or all the way down to Brighton Beach.
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Revel is a solid "local" hack. Since they only use electric vehicles and have a smaller fleet than the giants, their pricing can sometimes be more stable during peak hours. Plus, the cars are usually cleaner. If you see a $90 Uber quote, check the Revel app. It might save you twenty bucks.
The BQE: A Love-Hate Relationship
If you take a car, you will likely encounter the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Locals call it the BQE. It is, quite frankly, a structural nightmare.
The "triple cantilever" section near Brooklyn Heights is literally crumbling, and the DOT is constantly fiddling with lane closures. If your driver suggests taking "the surface streets" through Maspeth or Bushwick, listen to them. Waze knows things we don't. Getting from LaGuardia Airport to Brooklyn NY during rush hour (which is basically 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM) requires a certain level of zen.
Expect the Kosciuszko Bridge to be a bottleneck. It's a beautiful bridge, finished fairly recently, but it funnels traffic into a narrow mess as soon as you hit the Brooklyn side. If you're heading to North Brooklyn, you might get lucky and be out of the car in twenty-five minutes. If you’re heading to Park Slope? Pack a snack.
The Bus-to-Subway Grind
For the budget travelers, the M60-SBS bus is your other workhorse. It runs from LGA across 125th Street in Manhattan.
"Wait," you’re thinking, "why would I go to Manhattan to get to Brooklyn?"
If you're staying in Downtown Brooklyn or Brooklyn Heights, taking the M60 to the 4 or 5 express trains at 125th St is actually faster than some bus-to-bus transfers in Queens. The 4/5 trains fly down the east side of Manhattan and pop you right out at Borough Hall. It's a gritty, loud, very "New York" experience, but it works.
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- Check the MTA app (TrainTime or MYmta). Do not rely on printed maps.
- Tap to pay. Use OMNY. Don't buy a MetroCard. Just tap your credit card or phone at the turnstile.
- Watch the "SBS" rules. If you take the M60, you must pay at the kiosk on the sidewalk before you board, or just tap your phone at the back door if the bus is OMNY-enabled.
Navigating the Terminals
LaGuardia isn't the dump it used to be. The new Terminal B is actually world-class. If you land there, the walk to the car pickup area is long but clearly marked.
Terminal C (Delta) is also shiny and new. However, the rideshare pickup at Terminal C can be a chaotic zoo. You have to follow the signs to the parking garage levels. If you’re traveling with kids or elderly parents, the yellow cab stand is much closer to the actual exit than the Uber/Lyft pickup zones. That extra 500-foot walk matters when you're hauling three suitcases.
The Secret Livery Cabs
You might see guys hanging around the arrivals hall whispering "Taxi? You need a ride?"
Ignore them. These are unlicensed "gypsy" cabs. They aren't necessarily dangerous, but they will absolutely overcharge you. They don't use meters. They’ll tell you "fifty bucks" and then try to add "tolls and luggage fees" once you’re on the highway. Stick to the official taxi stand or the apps. It’s not worth the headache.
Logistics for Specific Neighborhoods
Brooklyn is 70 square miles. Let's break down the approach by zone:
Williamsburg & Greenpoint: Take an Uber or Lyft. It’s a straight shot down the BQE or through the local streets of Long Island City. If you’re broke, Q70 bus to the G train. Total time: 30-50 minutes.
Bushwick: The car is still king here. If you go public transit, you're looking at a bus to the M or L train, which involves a lot of walking. Car time: 25 minutes (no traffic).
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Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO: The M60 bus to the 4/5 train is surprisingly efficient. If driving, tell the driver to take the Flushing Avenue route if the BQE is backed up.
South Brooklyn (Bay Ridge, Coney Island, Marine Park): This is the "deep" Brooklyn. A cab will cost you $80+. If you must take the subway, take the Q70 to the 74th St-Roosevelt Av station and grab the E or F train to West 4th St, then transfer to the D or N. It's a journey. You’ll see parts of the city you didn't know existed.
What About the Tolls?
New York loves a toll. If your driver takes the RFK Bridge (formerly the Triborough), there is a toll. If they take the Queens-Midtown Tunnel to go through Manhattan (rare for a Brooklyn trip, but it happens), there is a toll.
Tolls are always added to the passenger's fare. In a yellow cab, the E-ZPass rate is automatically added to the meter. Don't think the driver is scamming you; it's just the cost of doing business in the Five Boroughs.
The Luggage Factor
If you have more than two large suitcases, a standard yellow cab (usually a Toyota Camry or RAV4) might be tight. Look for the "Minivan" taxi line. They don't charge extra for the larger vehicle at the airport stands, though they are in higher demand.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Arrival
To ensure your trek from LaGuardia Airport to Brooklyn NY doesn't ruin your first day, follow this checklist:
- Download the OMNY app or have Apple/Google Pay ready. It saves you from fumbling with vending machines that always seem to be broken.
- Check "Google Maps" AND "Waze" simultaneously. Google is better for transit; Waze is superior for car traffic patterns on the BQE.
- Verify your terminal. Terminal A (the Marine Air Terminal) is far away from B and C. If you’re meeting a car, make sure you know exactly which letter you’re at.
- Use the bathroom before you leave the airport. Once you're in a car or on the subway, you might be stuck for an hour without a single public restroom in sight.
- If you choose a ride-app, wait until you have your bags in hand. LGA enforces strict "no idling" rules, and drivers will cancel on you if you aren't at the curb within three minutes.
- Keep your eyes on the skyline. If you take the BQE toward Brooklyn, you’ll get one of the best views of Manhattan for free as you pass through Queens.
There isn't a magical helicopter (well, there is Blade, but that's $200+) to get you there. It's just about picking your struggle. Most people who live here? We just take the yellow cab and close our eyes until we see the "Welcome to Brooklyn" sign.
The trip is rarely "easy," but it's the rite of passage every traveler has to face. Once you’re sitting in a cafe in Cobble Hill or grabbing a slice in Midwood, the stress of the BQE will fade into a distant, noisy memory.
Next Steps:
- Determine your specific Brooklyn neighborhood and check if it sits on the G, L, or 4/5 subway lines.
- Compare the current Uber/Lyft price against the standard $50-70 yellow cab estimate before exiting the terminal.
- Ensure your phone is fully charged, as GPS and payment apps will be your primary tools for the next 90 minutes.