New York City - 5+ hour transit through LGA ... go sit in the lounge, or head in to NYC?

I'll be flying in to LGA at on July 12, arriving from YYZ (Toronto) at 8.04am (flying on AA4600). I will be flying OUT of LGA at 1.35pm (domestic AA). 5 hours 31 minutes. Hmm.

I'm trying to work out whether I will spend the morning (queueing?! or waiting) at the airport or whether should try to see some of of NYC, and if so, how to get around.

Is there customs pre-clearance at YYZ for flights to LGA? Will AA4600 be covered by this?

I'm guessing I have to reclaim checked bags as soon as I land in LGA. Can I immediately check them in again for my onward AA flight?

Q: for the LGA/NYC experts ... is there any time between these flights to sightsee, or should I resign myself to spending another half-day in an airport lounge and simply not bother trying to get in to NYC and back out again :-(

You'll go through US customs/immigration at YYZ, so your arrival at LGA will be the same as if you were on a domestic flight. You can be out of the airport within five minutes after exiting the plane. Since you're flying AA all the way, you'll check your bag to your final destination at YYZ and won't need to/be able to pick it up at LGA.

As to what to do, I'd personally caution you against trying to get into Manhattan. I'm a firm believer in leaving yourself an hour and a half at the airport in case of inexplicable security backups or whatever. That would only leave you about four hours to get to Manhattan, do something fun, and then get back. Even if you take a cab, it could take up to an hour to get anywhere interesting in Manhattan. And if there's a traffic problem or a subway delay, you could find yourself pressed for time.

What I would suggest is that you take a bus from LGA to somewhere in Queens instead. The neighborhood of Jackson Heights, which is very close to the airport, has some of the best Indian restaurants anywhere, as well as a huge selection of Latin restaurants and some good people-watching. The Q33 bus will take you to Jackson Heights within about 15 minutes - you can buy a Metrocard from a vending machine inside the main terminal building right by the bus stop, or else the one-way fare is $2.25 (cash only, no bills.)

Another option would be to take the Q48 bus to Flushing, which is now NYC's second Chinatown (perhaps even bigger and more authentic than the one in Manhattan.) Again, the travel time by bus would probably be in the 15-20 minute range each way.

I have to respectfully disagree with the above poster - look at the timing. What use is an Indian restaurant that probably won't even be open at 8am?

I'd take a cab into Manhattan. If it's a nice day walk around Central Park, if not head to a museum. Plenty to choose from.

I see no reason to spend 5.5 hours at LGA or Queens. Traffic returning and security mid-day should not be problematic. By my calculations you should have at least 3 hours in Manhattan to play with.

Ah - my mistake, I hadn't really processed the time of the OP's arrival. I agree that Indian food before 9am might be a bit, shall we say, suboptimal :p

I guess the question really just comes down to the OP's comfort level about the timing. I personally tend to be very cautious about leaving myself extra time at the airport in case of unexpected problems. While sometimes that leaves me hanging out for a couple of hours, I've also never missed a flight.

Getting into Manhattan - even by cab - at the OP's hour of arrival could be a bit of a mess, as s/he will be arriving right during rush hour. That said, the return should be smoother and faster, as it's not a peak hour for traffic.

One option that might also work (split the difference?) is Astoria. The neighborhood is one of the most diverse in NYC and has a burgeoning dining scene, including great places to grab breakfast.

The OP could get a bite to eat and head to the Museum of the Moving Image when it opens at 10:30 (http://www.movingimage.us/). There's also the sculpture garden (http://www.socratessculpturepark.org/), which is right next to the Noguchi museum, which I admit I've never been to so I can't vouch for how worthwhile it is.

I agree, it's a matter of preference on the timing. I also agree that Astoria could be interesting to take a look at.

Also other questions to consider: has the OP been to NYC before? what is the likelihood that he/she will get back to the city? do they want to pay the ~60 in roundtrip cab fare?

I'll be flying in to LGA at on July 12, arriving from YYZ (Toronto) at 8.04am (flying on AA4600). I will be flying OUT of LGA at 1.35pm (domestic AA). 5 hours 31 minutes. Hmm.

I'm trying to work out whether I will spend the morning (queueing?! or waiting) at the airport or whether should try to see some of of NYC, and if so, how to get around.

Is there customs pre-clearance at YYZ for flights to LGA? Will AA4600 be covered by this?

I'm guessing I have to reclaim checked bags as soon as I land in LGA. Can I immediately check them in again for my onward AA flight?

Q: for the LGA/NYC experts ... is there any time between these flights to sightsee, or should I resign myself to spending another half-day in an airport lounge and simply not bother trying to get in to NYC and back out again :-(You will be coming into Manhattan during rush hour. Your taxi meter will not be cheap. If money is no object, take a taxi or order car service. dstan, the moderator, made a thread about getting into NYC. Are you comfortable with taking a bus to the subway? If so, take the bus & subway into Manhattan; it's easy. See the locals. ^ Grab some breakfast at a coffee shop (aka "diner"). Walk around Central Park. Or go to the Metropolitan Museum as it opens at 9:30am (closed Mondays). Pay whatever you like as the fee is suggested because of substantial gov't subsidies. Taking a taxi back midday should be easy from the east side. Allow 45 minutes to get back to LGA. That should be more than enough.

Ydstan, the moderator, made a thread about getting into NYC.

Thanks for the credit, but it's undue. :) The wiki page was started by themicah long before I arrived on scene. ^

http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/NYC_Airports_to_Manhattan_Transportation_FAQ

shorthauldad, if you give us an idea of the kinds of things you might be interested in doing, we might be able to give you a better idea of how tight your schedule would be based on locations. Even with traffic, I agree with magiciansampras that you should have about 3 hours in Manhattan if you take a cab - that's one of the nice things about LGA, it's relative proximity to Manhattan by car/taxi.

Keep in mind that NYC in the middle of July can be brutually hot so dress and plan activities accordingly. The LGA AC has no showers so if you get "grimmy" from the city (very possible in July) that is the way you be until you arrive at your destination.

I'd car service to Manhattan (use a less expensive service such as Carmel or Dial 7s) and maybe cab it back to LGA. The OP should tell us any special interest.

Personally, I'd say explore downtown and the Hudson River front before midtown/Times Square.

I personally would not try to hit Manhattan. Even if by cab, you'd be in Manh about 9:30, and have to leave about 11:30. Not enough time. I would try Flushing, if anything, but I would actually spend my time trying to standby on an earlier flight out of LGA.

I agree with not going into Manhattan. My daily drive is approximately the same distance from LGA to Midtown-East. The drive itself takes me anywhere between 50 minutes on a good day to 1 1/2 hours with heavy traffic. And if it rains or if you encounter road work or an accident, fuhgeddaboudit! Aside from that, do take into account how long it would clear security when you get back to LGA.

On a good day you'll have 3-4 hours in the City, and on a bad day about 2. Cab fare will be ~$30 each way, depending on where exactly in Manhattan you'll be. With the stress and the cost, I'd stay put in the airport or visit the Queens neighborhoods that previous posters recomended. Perhaps dim-sum in Flushing, or an early lunch at Ben's Best? Or with saving on the $60 cab fare, perhaps put it towards the fee for changing to an earlier flight?

Might I suggest an alternative for the OP.

If you wish to come into Manhattan. Get in a cab to Woodside LIRR train station - the first train to arrive at station will put you in midtown (near Macy's Herald Sq) within 10 minutes.
You can walk around Times Sq (about 10 minute walk), go up to Central Park/Apple store (another 15 minute walk) and even explore the park. Grab late bfast/lunch somewhere and window shop on 5th AVe if that is your thing.

Make it back to Penn Station and you can do the reverse trip or you can make it to grand central and take a quick door to door shuttle service just take a cab directly from midtown (as during non-rush hour) it is a fairly quick ride.

If inbound is delayed I would abort the plan but you do have enough time in my opinion for a quick visit. Just stay conscious of your minimum departure time back to LGA.

Might I suggest an alternative for the OP.

If you wish to come into Manhattan. Get in a cab to Woodside LIRR train station - the first train to arrive at station will put you in midtown (near Macy's Herald Sq) within 10 minutes.
You can walk around Times Sq (about 10 minute walk), go up to Central Park/Apple store (another 15 minute walk) and even explore the park. Grab late bfast/lunch somewhere and window shop on 5th AVe if that is your thing.

Make it back to Penn Station and you can do the reverse trip or you can make it to grand central and take a quick door to door shuttle service just take a cab directly from midtown (as during non-rush hour) it is a fairly quick ride.

If inbound is delayed I would abort the plan but you do have enough time in my opinion for a quick visit. Just stay conscious of your minimum departure time back to LGA.

Not a bad suggestion at all.

But I definitely agree that going into Manhattan is logical.

1.5 hrs before a domestic flight that you're already checked-in for at LGA is silly. 30 minutes is conservative. Which means you plan to be there 45 in advance.

Hi, OP here ... just wanted to say a belated thank you to all the posters on this thread; sorry I didn't have time time to respond before now.

I'm currently sitting in the Admirals Club at LGA having spent the morning exploring midtown and the upper east side. This is only my second ever visit to NYC, and on the first visit I only saw downtown Manhattan.

Timings were as follows:

06.51 took off from YYZ
07.46 landed in LGA
08.06 got in taxi
08.19 arrived Woodside LIRR although the driver didn't seem exactly sure where this was, luckily I'd printed the route out from Google Maps!
08.26 boarded train
08.45 walked out of Penn station

I then walked to Times Sq, along W 42nd St to Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building, down to the subway (including a quick and polite backpack search courtesy of the NYPD), took the 6 train to 86th St, walked over towards Guggenheim and then down to the Metropolitan Museum for a second breakfast and a 30-minute browse of the exhibits, bought my family some gifts in the museum shop, walked in to Central Park, then walked down through the park to 65th Street...

11.00 hailed a taxi at the corner of 5th Ave/E 65th St
11.25 arrived LGA
11.46 cleared security and two minutes later ordered a large beer in the Admirals Club...

Not entirely sure how many miles I covered in that 2h 15min but I saw a lot and it feels good to have used the time this way rather than sitting in yet another faceless airport lounge for the morning.

So, once again - thanks guys - and if any of you ever need advice on an upcoming trip to London, Cambridge, York (or indeed the UK in general), Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Stockholm or any of the other cities I know very well, just ask! :)

Hi, OP here ... just wanted to say a belated thank you to all the posters on this thread; sorry I didn't have time time to respond before now.

I'm currently sitting in the Admirals Club at LGA having spent the morning exploring midtown and the upper east side. This is only my second ever visit to NYC, and on the first visit I only saw downtown Manhattan.

Timings were as follows:

06.51 took off from YYZ
07.46 landed in LGA
08.06 got in taxi
08.19 arrived Woodside LIRR although the driver didn't seem exactly sure where this was, luckily I'd printed the route out from Google Maps!
08.26 boarded train
08.45 walked out of Penn station

I then walked to Times Sq, along W 42nd St to Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building, down to the subway (including a quick and polite backpack search courtesy of the NYPD), took the 6 train to 86th St, walked over towards Guggenheim and then down to the Metropolitan Museum for a second breakfast and a 30-minute browse of the exhibits, bought my family some gifts in the museum shop, walked in to Central Park, then walked down through the park to 65th Street...

11.00 hailed a taxi at the corner of 5th Ave/E 65th St
11.25 arrived LGA
11.46 cleared security and two minutes later ordered a large beer in the Admirals Club...

Not entirely sure how many miles I covered in that 2h 15min but I saw a lot and it feels good to have used the time this way rather than sitting in yet another faceless airport lounge for the morning.

So, once again - thanks guys - and if any of you ever need advice on an upcoming trip to London, Cambridge, York (or indeed the UK in general), Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Stockholm or any of the other cities I know very well, just ask! :)

You were lucky as it is not miserably hot today. If you had been here not too long ago within 15 minutes you would have been covered in sweat (with no showers at the LGA AC) and miserable.

Well done, OP!

well done, indeed!

Thank you for letting us know, shorthauldad. As others have said, well done! Glad you had a great time. :)

Sorry to hijack the thread but I'm doing something similar in early November.

I've been to NYC more than a dozen times and am very familiar with Manhattan below Central Park. Have seen very little of the rest of the city other than walking across Brooklyn Bridge and seeing the closest bits of Brooklyn to the bridge.

Flying late Saturday night into JFK and connecting 15:00 on Sunday out of LGA. Planning probably to stay Sat night near LGA to leave my bags before going off for Sunday morning to see some of NYC. Then will go back to retrieve bags from hotel before checking in at LGA.

So, any suggestions for new neighbourhoods to explore on the Sunday morning? Time difference means I'll likely wake up very early.

I'm happy to take bus and subway, like exploring on foot, will want to find a good deli brunch somewhere and maybe window shop a little.

My default option is just to get the bus and subway to CPS and do the same old same old, but fancy something different.

Thanks for your ideas.

Sorry to hijack the thread but I'm doing something similar in early November.

I've been to NYC more than a dozen times and am very familiar with Manhattan below Central Park. Have seen very little of the rest of the city other than walking across Brooklyn Bridge and seeing the closest bits of Brooklyn to the bridge.

Flying late Saturday night into JFK and connecting 15:00 on Sunday out of LGA. Planning probably to stay Sat night near LGA to leave my bags before going off for Sunday morning to see some of NYC. Then will go back to retrieve bags from hotel before checking in at LGA.

So, any suggestions for new neighbourhoods to explore on the Sunday morning? Time difference means I'll likely wake up very early.

I'm happy to take bus and subway, like exploring on foot, will want to find a good deli brunch somewhere and maybe window shop a little.

My default option is just to get the bus and subway to CPS and do the same old same old, but fancy something different.

Thanks for your ideas.

Well if it is not to cold I'd do the High Line and then a little walking along the Hudson or in the Village.

newyorkgeorge, thanks for the High Line suggestion. I've actually done it before a couple of years ago and very much enjoyed it.

As I said earlier, I'm very familiar with lower Manhattan below Central Park and would like to see a new area if possible.

Is it worth spending any time in the area around LGA, say Flushing?

newyorkgeorge, thanks for the High Line suggestion. I've actually done it before a couple of years ago and very much enjoyed it.

As I said earlier, I'm very familiar with lower Manhattan below Central Park and would like to see a new area if possible.

Is it worth spending any time in the area around LGA, say Flushing?

My vote would be City Island. Early November could still be a really nice time to stroll around there. The foliage will have turned and may be mostly gone, but I find it pretty quaint and unlike a lot of the rest of the five boroughs.

My vote would be City Island. Early November could still be a really nice time to stroll around there. The foliage will have turned and may be mostly gone, but I find it pretty quaint and unlike a lot of the rest of the five boroughs.I have never been there and really want to go. We're thinking of doing just that in a few weeks.

My vote would be City Island. Early November could still be a really nice time to stroll around there. The foliage will have turned and may be mostly gone, but I find it pretty quaint and unlike a lot of the rest of the five boroughs.

City Island? Really?

I live in the far northern wilds of Manhattan and spend a lot of time in the Bronx, and I had heard lots of wonderful things about City Island ("it's like a quaint little New England village!"), so I finally decided to check it out earlier this summer. I was very disappointed.

There are a few handsome, wooden, New England-type buildings on the main drag. Other than that, though, I found it to be your typical Italian/Puerto Rican Bronx neighborhood. I really didn't see anything special at all about it - I'd rather spend my time around Arthur Avenue/Belmont (where the food is also a million times better.)

At any rate, if Corpt wants to check out a neighborhood near LGA, I'd put in a vote for Jackson Heights. It's almost walking distance to the airport, it has amazing Indian and South American restaurants, and it's even got a historical district with beautiful garden apartments. Of course it's not Manhattan, but it's a neat place to hang out for a few hours and grab a meal, and it's so close to LGA that you can avoid the schlep around town and relax a bit.

As I said earlier, I'm very familiar with lower Manhattan below Central Park and would like to see a new area if possible.

Is it worth spending any time in the area around LGA, say Flushing?

Flushing is probably the most thriving of NYC's three Chinatowns and is a lot of fun to visit if you like Chinese food or just want to pretend that you're in China. It's not touristy like Manhattan's Chinatown. It's just very Chinese. Aside from eating, though, I'm not sure just how much there is to do there. The Queens Museum isn't far, I suppose.

Astoria can also be worth a visit. Tons of good Greek, Egyptian and Brazilian food, the Museum of the Moving Image, the Noguchi Museum, the Astoria beer gardens...

Woodside has its Thai restaurants. Jackson heights has its Indian and Latin American restaurants.

In short: Queens is an ethnic culinary smorgasbord.

City Island - NO! At that time of year (off-season) it will not offer much besides a few restaurants for brunch - and way too long of a trip from LGA via public transportation (it is quite easy by car/taxi).

South of CPS - Staten Island ferry
Queens- Jackson Heights may not have time on Sunday AM to get a meal but some really great ethnic restaurants
Brooklyn - Prospect Park, Botanical Garden. Not sure of arrival Saturday or your jetlag but if the first Saturday in Nov. maybe Brooklyn museum (late night) which offers a monthly event and admissionin the evening. The surroundings area has a bit of nightlife available if into drinks/live music.

I think Northern Manhattan on Sunday AM will offer the Park, walk up West Side Hwy (view of GW Bridge and NJ skyline) and various brunch/breakfast spots.

City Island - NO! At that time of year (off-season) it will not offer much besides a few restaurants for brunch - and way too long of a trip from LGA via public transportation (it is quite easy by car/taxi).

South of CPS - Staten Island ferry
Queens- Jackson Heights may not have time on Sunday AM to get a meal but some really great ethnic restaurants
Brooklyn - Prospect Park, Botanical Garden. Not sure how late on Saturday you land on Saturday or your jetlag but if the first Saturday maybe Brooklyn museum which offers a variety of entertainment free. The surroundings area has a bit of nightlife available if into drinks/live music.

I think Northern Manhattan on Sunday AM will offer the Park, walk up West Side Hwy (view of GW Bridge and NJ skyline) and various brunch/breakfast spots.

If the OP is wedded to public transportation, you're right, City Island won't work. If a taxi is okay with him/her, I'm a big advocate over Brooklyn or Queens, but to each his own. I've spent many a fall Saturday on City Island and had a very good time, but it is weather-dependent. I wouldn't go if it's cold and/or rainy.

Thanks all for your ideas.

At any rate, if Corpt wants to check out a neighborhood near LGA, I'd put in a vote for Jackson Heights. It's almost walking distance to the airport, it has amazing Indian and South American restaurants, and it's even got a historical district with beautiful garden apartments.

Sounds like this could be something to do around lunchtime. My flight out of LGA isn't until 15:30.

Flushing is probably the most thriving of NYC's three Chinatowns and is a lot of fun to visit if you like Chinese food or just want to pretend that you're in China.

This sounds like a good people watching opportunity, with perhaps a snack along the way.

Another thread mentioned London Lennie's. Is this worth a visit if in Flushing?

Not sure of arrival Saturday or your jetlag but if the first Saturday in Nov. maybe Brooklyn museum (late night) which offers a monthly event and admissionin the evening. The surroundings area has a bit of nightlife available if into drinks/live music.

I think Northern Manhattan on Sunday AM will offer the Park, walk up West Side Hwy (view of GW Bridge and NJ skyline) and various brunch/breakfast spots.

I don't arrive into JFK until 22:00, so will be pretty tired having come from the UK, where it will be 03:00. I therefore expect to go straight to a hotel (where - still to be decided) from JFK.

I quite like the idea of the Upper West Side, having very limited experience of it to date. Can you recommend any good brunch/lunch delis there?

If the OP is wedded to public transportation, you're right, City Island won't work. If a taxi is okay with him/her, I'm a big advocate over Brooklyn or Queens, but to each his own.

I'm not wedded to public transportation, just very comfortable taking it, having got to grips many years ago with the Subway system.

I quite like the idea of the Upper West Side, having very limited experience of it to date. Can you recommend any good brunch/lunch delis there?

I'm a fan of Popover:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/popover-cafe-new-york

I'm a fan of Popover:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/popover-cafe-new-york

Looks like fun, although I'm not sure I'll cope with a popover - whatever that is..?

Good Enough To Eat is a combination of pub and good food. Afterwards, walk down to 79th Street and head west towards Riverside Park (Manhattan's other park) and can get to the pedestrian/bike adjacent to the Hudson River.

If too cool/cold along the Hudson you can head in the opposite direction and enter Central Park at 81 or 86th St. Or stop into the M. of Natural History.

Monitor your dates as if early November you might be in town during the NYC marathon.

Good Enough To Eat is a combination of pub and good food. Afterwards, walk down to 79th Street and head west towards Riverside Park (Manhattan's other park) and can get to the pedestrian/bike adjacent to the Hudson River.

I like the look of that. Good Enough To Eat for breakfast, then a walk around the Upper West Side.

Monitor your dates as if early November you might be in town during the NYC marathon.

The penny has now dropped!! I'm arriving late night 11/3 and departing afternoon of 11/4, which I now see is the day of the marathon. That explains the lack of (anything but expensive) hotel rooms in Manhattan....

I quite like the idea of breakfast, followed by a walk Upper West Side, followed by seeing the finish of the Marathon. I'll have to check properly the likely elite finish time, but suspect this will be do-able. I'm sure what this does mean though is that I'll need to take public transportation (subway/bus), rather than cab/car service back to LGA from Manhattan not long after mid-day, to be sure of making my 15:30 departure from LGA.

Edited to add:

Looks like professional men start at 09:40, meaning approx 12:15 finish at Central Park South. If I plan to get the N train from 57th St by no later than 13:00, followed by the M60 bus at Astoria, will that likely get me back in time to a LGA hotel and to LGA in time for a 15:30 flight, even with the heightened crowds etc?

Thanks for your advice.

It would explain lack of lodging anywhere near Manhattan or Brooklyn or parts of Queens due to the influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors.

I might suggest your best route to LGA is E train to Roosevelt Ave and transfer to Q33. Why you might ask? The M60 traverses marathon route in Manhattan and not sure what impact it might have on the bus schedule or route in Astoria. From anywhere in Upper West Side - take the local train southbound on Central Park West. If it is a B/D take it to 7th Ave and you can transfer to E towards Queens there. If it is a A/C take it to 42nd and transfer to uptown platform for E towards Queens there.
Or you can walk down to 50th St & 8th Ave or 53rd & 7th Ave to board E directly.

I believe the women's elite start before the males so you can watch both finishes with more than enough time. About 2:20+ for women's and 2:05+ for men's after starting gun.

I might suggest your best route to LGA is E train to Roosevelt Ave and transfer to Q33. Why you might ask? The M60 traverses marathon route in Manhattan and not sure what impact it might have on the bus schedule or route in Astoria.

Great local knowledge and advice RooseveltL, thank you.

This now looks like a plan!