Look, everyone loves to hate on LaGuardia. Or at least they used to. Before the massive multi-billion dollar renovation, "LGA" was basically the punchline of every New York travel joke. Now? It’s actually nice. Genuinely. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is the geographic headache of actually getting there. Unlike JFK or Newark, there is no direct train. No subway pulls up to the terminal. No PATH train drops you off at check-in. So when you ask how do i get to laguardia airport, you aren't just asking for a map; you're asking for a strategy.
New York traffic is a beast that eats schedules for breakfast. If you wing it, you'll end up paying $80 for a Lyft that sits motionless on the Grand Central Parkway while you watch your flight depart from the window. Don't do that.
The Secret Weapon: The LaGuardia Link Q70
If you want the most efficient way into the airport, you need to know about the Q70 Select Bus Service, also known as the LaGuardia Link. It’s free. Yes, actually free. The city made it free a couple of years ago to encourage people to stop clogging the roads with Ubers.
The Q70 is basically a "train on wheels" that connects the subway to the airport. You take the 7, E, F, M, or R train to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av station in Queens. Once you exit the subway, follow the bright blue signs. The bus has luggage racks, and it only makes two stops: Terminal B and Terminal C. It runs 24/7. It's fast.
Honestly, it's often faster than a taxi from Manhattan because the bus gets to use dedicated lanes in some spots. If you're coming from the West Side or Midtown, hopping on an E train and transferring to the Q70 is the move. You avoid the Midtown Tunnel bottleneck. You avoid the bridge tolls. You save enough money to buy a $17 airport sandwich.
What about Terminal A?
Here is where people get tripped up. Terminal A (the Marine Air Terminal) is the historic, art-deco building where Spirit and Frontier usually hang out. The Q70 does not go there. If you're flying out of Terminal A, you need the M60-SBS.
The M60-SBS: The Upper Manhattan Savior
If you are starting your journey in Upper Manhattan—specifically anywhere near 125th Street—the M60-SBS is your best friend. This bus starts on the West Side (Broadway), cruises across 125th, hits the Metro-North station, and then blasts over the RFK Bridge (formerly the Triborough) into Queens.
It stops at all terminals: A, B, and C.
Wait. Be careful here. Unlike the Q70, the M60 is not free. You need to pay with OMNY (tap your phone or credit card) or a MetroCard at the kiosk on the sidewalk before you board. Do not just walk on. The fare inspectors at LGA are legendary, and they will give you a ticket that costs more than a flight to Florida.
Ride-Shares and Taxis: The Reality Check
Sometimes you just have too many bags. Or a screaming toddler. Or you're just tired. I get it. Taking a car is the "default" answer to how do i get to laguardia airport, but it's fraught with variables.
- Yellow Cabs: There is a flat fare from JFK to Manhattan, but there is no flat fare for LaGuardia. It's all on the meter. Plus a $1.75 airport access fee. Plus tolls. Plus tip. From Midtown, expect to pay anywhere from $45 to $70 depending on how bad the BQE is looking.
- Uber and Lyft: Check the app, obviously. But here is the pro tip: Terminal B has a dedicated "CarApp" pickup level. It's organized, indoor, and surprisingly civilized. Terminal C (Delta) is a bit more of a walk.
- Revel: If you're in a pinch, sometimes the blue Revel electric cars have lower surcharges during peak hours because they operate on a different fleet model.
Traffic is the killer. If you are traveling between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM on a weekday, the Grand Central Parkway becomes a parking lot. If you're coming from Brooklyn, the BQE (I-278) is a crapshoot. Always, and I mean always, add 45 minutes to whatever Google Maps tells you.
Coming from Long Island or Connecticut?
If you’re a suburbanite trying to figure out how do i get to laguardia airport, you have a few specific hurdles.
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For the Connecticut crowd, the best bet is taking the Metro-North to Harlem-125th St. Don't go all the way to Grand Central. Get off at 125th, walk down the stairs, and hop on that M60 bus I mentioned earlier. It’s a 15-20 minute ride from there.
Long Islanders have it tougher. You can take the LIRR to Woodside. From Woodside, you can jump on the Q70 bus. It’s a very short hop. Alternatively, if you’re driving, the Grand Central Parkway is your only real artery, and it is notoriously narrow and prone to accidents. If there’s a fender bender near Citi Field, you’re in trouble. Check the Mets' schedule. Seriously. If there’s a home game at Citi Field, the traffic around LGA becomes exponentially worse.
The "Secret" Ferry Option (Sort Of)
There isn't a ferry that goes to the airport, but there is a ferry to Astoria. If it’s a beautiful day and you aren't in a massive rush, taking the NYC Ferry to the Astoria landing and then grabbing a $15 Uber the rest of the way is the most scenic, stress-free way to travel. You get a view of the skyline and a breeze. It’s not the most efficient, but it’s definitely the best for your mental health.
Navigating the Terminals Once You Arrive
LGA is basically two separate airports now. Terminal B is the "everything else" terminal (United, American, Southwest, JetBlue, Air Canada). It won "World's Best New Airport Terminal" recently, and it actually deserves it. The water feature show is cool. The food is decent.
Terminal C is the Delta fortress. It’s massive. If your gate is at the far end of the new concourses, give yourself an extra 10 minutes just for the walk.
Terminal A is the outlier. It’s tiny. It’s old. It’s charming in a "1940s Pan-Am" sort of way, but there are almost no food options once you go through security. If you’re flying Spirit or Frontier, eat before you get there.
Actionable Strategy for Your Trip
To make this simple, here is exactly what you should do based on your priorities:
- If you are broke or savvy: Take the E or 7 train to Jackson Heights and get the free Q70 bus. It is reliable and cheap.
- If you are in Upper Manhattan: Take the M60-SBS. It’s a straight shot across 125th Street.
- If you are in a rush during rush hour: Take the subway as far into Queens as possible (Jackson Heights) then grab a cab for the "last mile" if you don't want to wait for the bus. This bypasses the tunnel/bridge traffic.
- If you have money and want comfort: Book a car, but leave 90 minutes before your "must-be-there" time if it's afternoon.
- Always check the Mets schedule: If they are playing at Citi Field, avoid the Willets Point area like the plague.
The biggest mistake people make is thinking LaGuardia is "close" because it's only 8 miles from Midtown. In New York, 8 miles can be 20 minutes or 2 hours. Plan for the 2 hours, hope for the 20 minutes, and spend your extra time at the Terminal B beer garden.
Check your terminal on the airline app before you leave. Terminal B and C are not connected behind security. If you go to the wrong one, you have to exit, take a shuttle bus, and go through TSA all over again. Don't let that be you.
Get your OMNY or MetroCard ready, keep an eye on the BQE traffic alerts, and you'll actually make your flight.