I have been to New York City a few times with my family – once with my daughter for her birthday a few years ago and more recently a layover with my son on our way to Greece. Since we were staying in mid-town Manhattan (once at the Sheraton Times Square and once at the Wingate by Wyndham Midtown Manhattan), none of the 3 New York City airport options (JFK / LGA / EWR) were that much different than any of the others. Since LaGuardia airport (LGA) is quite a bit away from the main areas of New York City, we did a bit of research to help find the best way from Manhattan to LGA Airport. So I thought I would share with you some of my information to help you figure out the best way to get from New York City to LGA.
If you need to make this a roundtrip journey, you might also be interested in the best and cheapest way to get from LGA airport to Manhattan
Getting from midtown Manhattan to LGA airport by taxi
You can surely take a taxi from Manhattan to LGA airport but it will be fairly expensive. Unlike the taxi fare from Manhattan to JFK Airport, which is a flat fare, the NYC Taxi and Limousine commission has set up the trip to / from LaGuardia airport to be a metered fare. A taxi from Manhattan to LGA Airport will run anywhere from $25-$40 or more, in addition to tips and tolls.
If you do want to take a taxi from Manhattan to LGA Airport in Queens, you’re likely to save money by using a service like Carmel Limo — plus you can save $4 off using this link.
Another option that many people like is using a shared express bus – there are a variety of express buses that go from places in Manhattan like Times Square to LGA Airport, in the $15 to $20 (one-way) range.  These are large buses designed for airport runs, so most of them should have plenty of storage underneath the seats for luggage. GO Airlink Shuttle is one such bus – it costs about $21 one-way.  It runs every half hour on the half hour and they will pick you up from a variety of hotels and NYC transportation hubs (Grand Central, Penn Station, etc). Try promo code SHUTTLE to save 5%
And obviously you will be in a car, so subject to New York City traffic, especially if you’re traveling in rush hour (which seems like every hour!)
Manhattan to LGA airport by Uber or Lyft
Uber has an estimated price of $50-$75 to get from JFK to midtown Manhattan, though obviously that depends on your destination in New York City and probably time of day (how long it takes)
Lyft is similarly priced from Manhattan to LaGuardia airport though both Uber and Lyft often are running promotions especially in New York City so be sure to check with them before you go
[The time my Lyft driver went the wrong way down a one-way street]
If you do sign up for Uber or Lyft, signing up through my referral code you will get you up to $10 off on your first ride.
The cheapest and best way to get from Manhattan to LGA airport
While taxi, Uber, bus and even other ride share services or limos are all options to get from Manhattan to LGA airport, in my opinion, just like the best way to get from Manhattan to Newark Airport or the best way to get from Manhattan to JFK Airport, the absolute best way to get from Manhattan to LGA airport is by subway. Unlike at JFK, there aren’t any connections directly to the subway system from LaGuardia Airport; instead, there are 2 express buses that will take you pick you up at one of 2 different subway stops from Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport, and which one you want depends on where you’re coming from in Manhattan.
The Q70 SBS express bus will take you from the 74th Street / Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station complex, which you can get to from the E / F / R / M / 7 lines, and the M60 SBS express bus will pick you up at either the Astoria Boulevard station on the N / W line. or the 4 / 5 / 6 line at 125th Street.
Step by step instructions for taking the M60 or Q70 buses from Manhattan to LGA
From Manhattan, take the subway line of your choice to one of the stops mentioned above. When you arrive, look for the signs to the M60 or Q70 express bus. At the Astoria Boulevard location, it is out of the subway complex and across the street (elevated “subway” tracks in the background of the below picture)
VERY IMPORTANT! Just like when you go from LGA airport to Manhattan, both of the express buses (M60 SBS and Q70 SBS) do NOT let you pay when you board. You have to get your ticket BEFORE the bus comes. There are machines that look like this near the bus stop
You still pay with your MetroCard. It’s $2.75 for full fare and $1.35 for reduced fare / students. If you came from the subway, there are free subway-to-bus transfers, so you’ll just swipe your same Metrocard at this ticket kiosk. The system is smart enough to figure it all out.
Both the Q70 SBS and M60 SBS look basically like this – look for the signs on the front of the bus
I hope this guide has helped you travel from LGA airport to Manhattan or anywhere else in New York City – if you need to make it a roundtrip, make sure to check out my guide to the best and cheapest way from LGA airport to Manhattan
What are your tips for the cheapest and best way from Manhattan to LGA airport? Leave them in the comments
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
With GroundLink, 56$ including tax and tip for a luxury SUV.
LIRR from Penn Station to Woodside is 10 mins. Once you get to Woodside there is an express bus or you can take a 10-15 minute Uber/taxi
Why did you omit the Airporter bus?
I mentioned that there are lots of shared airport bus services, and listed a few of them. The one you mention is another option, but I would imagine it’s pretty similar in cost and experience to the ones I mentioned.
arriving to LaGuardia about noon from ORD. Destination is Millineum Hilton downtown (55 Church st manhattan).
Cost of these:
taxi =
Uber =______ (no share)
Lyft = ______ (no share)