You’re standing at the curb at John F. Kennedy International Airport, bags in hand, looking at a flight out of LaGuardia that leaves in three hours. It feels like they should be close, right? They’re both in Queens. You can practically see the planes from the other airport circling in the same patch of sky. But in New York City, distance is a lie told by maps.
How far is JFK to LGA airport? On paper, it’s about 10 to 12 miles depending on which terminal you’re starting from and which highway your driver gambles on. In reality, that 12-mile stretch of the Van Wyck Expressway can be a 25-minute breeze or a 90-minute soul-crushing crawl. Honestly, if you don't respect the "Queens crawl," you're gonna have a bad time.
The Brutal Reality of the 10-Mile Gap
Most people assume a 10-mile trip is a quick jump. Not here. The distance between these two hubs is dictated by three major arteries: the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678), the Grand Central Parkway, and the Belt Parkway.
If you are traveling on a Tuesday at 10:00 AM, you might zip across in 25 minutes. If you’re trying to make this move at 4:30 PM on a Friday? Godspeed. I’ve seen that 12-mile journey take longer than a flight to Chicago.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Actual Mileage: 10–13 miles (terminal dependent).
- Off-Peak Drive Time: 20–30 minutes.
- Peak Drive Time: 60–90+ minutes.
- Public Transit Time: 60–75 minutes (fixed, mostly).
The "distance" is less about miles and more about the specific infrastructure of Queens. Construction on the Van Wyck has been a "thing" for years and likely will be until the sun burns out.
Every Way to Bridge the JFK to LGA Gap
You’ve got options, but none of them are perfect. You have to choose between your sanity, your wallet, and your clock.
The Yellow Cab (The Old Reliable)
Taxis are the most straightforward. You walk to the line, you get in, and you go. There is no flat rate between JFK and LGA like there is from JFK to Manhattan. It’s metered.
Expect to pay somewhere between $45 and $70 once you factor in the base fare, the "congestion" surcharges that NYC loves to tack on, and a tip. If the traffic is light, it’s great. If you’re stuck behind a stalled box truck near Jewel Avenue, you’ll watch that meter climb like a heart rate monitor.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft
Ubers from JFK to LGA usually hover around $60 for an UberX. But surge pricing is a vampire. I’ve opened the app during a rainstorm and seen $120 for the same 12-mile trip.
One thing to watch out for: the pickup zones. At JFK, you usually have to take the AirTrain to a specific "Ride App" pickup area at certain terminals (like Terminal 7 or 8). It adds 15 minutes to your "travel time" before you even see a car.
The "Public Transit" Hack
If you’re solo and traveling light, this is the only way to guarantee you won't get stuck in traffic.
- AirTrain to Jamaica Station: This costs $8.50 (plus a buck for a new MetroCard if you don't have one).
- The E Train: Take the Manhattan-bound E subway to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave station.
- The Q70-SBS (LaGuardia Link): This bus is free and takes you right to the LGA terminals.
Total cost? About $11.50. Total time? Usually about an hour and fifteen minutes. It’s the most consistent way to move, even if it feels a bit "commuter-y."
Shared Shuttles and Private Vans
Companies like ETS or GO Airlink are still kicking. They charge about $25 to $35 per person. It sounds like a middle ground, but it’s often the worst of both worlds. You’re still stuck in traffic, and you might have to wait for the van to fill up or make three stops before yours.
Why the Route Matters
When you ask how far is JFK to LGA airport, you’re really asking about the Grand Central Parkway. Most drivers will take the Van Wyck North to the Grand Central West.
The "Secret" Route: If the Van Wyck looks like a parking lot on Google Maps (and it usually does), a savvy driver might take the Belt Parkway to the Cross Island, then come back across the Long Island Expressway. It adds five miles to the trip but can save twenty minutes of idling. If your Uber driver starts heading toward Eastern Long Island, don't panic—they're probably just trying to save your connection.
The Five-Minute Miracle: Blade
If you have $200+ burning a hole in your pocket and a connection you absolutely cannot miss, there are helicopter transfers. They fly from JFK to Manhattan, then Manhattan to LGA. It is absurd, it is loud, and it is the only way to do the transfer in under 10 minutes of actual "travel" time.
Planning Your Layover: The Golden Rule
Don't book a "self-transfer" between these airports with less than four hours of wiggle room.
Think about it. It takes 45 minutes to get off the plane and grab your bags at JFK. It takes an hour to travel to LGA. Then you have to clear security at LGA, which can be a nightmare at Terminal C. If your first flight is even 30 minutes late, a three-hour window disappears instantly.
Logistics Checklist for the Transfer:
- Check the Mets schedule: If there’s a home game at Citi Field, the traffic near LGA becomes a nightmare because the stadium is right next to the airport.
- Terminal 1 Chaos: JFK’s Terminal 1 is under massive reconstruction. Entry and exit points are constantly shifting. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes if you’re landing there.
- The OMNY Tap: Don't faff around with MetroCard machines if you take the subway. Just tap your credit card or phone at the turnstile.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
To make this transfer without a panic attack, do these three things right now:
First, download the "MYmta" app. It gives you real-time arrivals for the Q70 bus and the E train. If the trains are delayed, you’ll know before you leave the JFK terminal.
Second, check Google Maps the moment you land. Don't wait until you're at the taxi stand. If the route is dark red, skip the cab and head straight for the AirTrain to Jamaica.
Finally, pre-book a car service if you have a family. If you’re more than three people, a private car service like Dial 7 or Carmel is often cheaper than two Ubers or a pile of shuttle tickets, and they’ll have a car waiting for you at the curb.
The distance isn't the challenge. The city is. Treat the 12 miles between JFK and LGA like a 50-mile journey in any other state, and you’ll actually make your flight.