New York City - Laguardia to E 28th Street using M60 etc

Flying in from UK and would like to travel as the locals do. Can anyone advise me how I travel from the airport to E 28th Street using the M60 and subway.
Whereabouts do I catch the bus from the airport?
Where do I get off to catch the subway?
What sort of ticket should I buy?
What side of the bus should I sit on(I have heard that the views are better on one side. This is why I want to go by bus)?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

you will get on the bus in front of the terminal building, i think in the lower level. Sit on the left, if you want to see Manhattan downtown from the bridge.
Get off at Lexington Avenue - you will pick up subway lines 4,5 or 6 there at the 125th street station - direction downtown/brooklyn. These line takes you down to 28th street.
If you dont have a metro card yet, try to get a multiple ride card at the airport's newspaper stands. If you dont find a prepaid metrocard, get a single ticket on the bus and buy a metrocard at 125th st station.

you will get on the bus in front of the terminal building, i think in the lower level. Sit on the left, if you want to see Manhattan downtown from the bridge.
Get off at Lexington Avenue - you will pick up subway lines 4,5 or 6 there at the 125th street station - direction downtown/brooklyn. These line takes you down to 28th street.
If you dont have a metro card yet, try to get a multiple ride card at the airport's newspaper stands. If you dont find a prepaid metrocard, get a single ticket on the bus and buy a metrocard at 125th st station.

Thankyou very much. that is just the information I am looking for

you could also take the q33 from the airport, transfer to the q32 and take that into manhattan. it will leave you on 34th street and then you can walk (like the locals haha) down to 28th st.

Flying in from UK and would like to travel as the locals do.

The locals get picked up. :D

Welcome to Flyertalk susan450.

Get off at Lexington Avenue - you will pick up subway lines 4,5 or 6 there at the 125th street station - direction downtown/brooklyn. These line takes you down to 28th street.


To clarify, the 4 & 5 are express, and do not stop at 28th St, which is a local stop. You can take the 6 all the way, but that's slower, so not something the locals would do. ;)

If you take the express 4/5, you'll need to get off the train at 42nd St/Grand Central, and transfer to the local 6 right across the platform.

Thankyou very much. that is just the information I am looking for

The 4/5 (express) trains don't stop convenient to 28th street, while the 6 (local) line does.

Therefore, if you were to take the 4/5, then transfer at 42nd street/Grand Central to the 6 (local) headed in the same direction (downtown). At 42nd/Grand Central you exit the subway car there and the 6 train arrives directly in front of you (i.e., on the same platform so there is no going up/down stairs to do the transfer).

at laguardia, the buses, pick you up, not directly when you exit the airport, you have to walk to the island in the middle to get on the bus. there should be a bus stop that you will be able to see with a pole that will list all the buses that will stop there. Then look for the bus that you want and make sure you get on the right one.

You should be able to use the same metrocard on the bus and the subway as you are allowed one free transfer between bus and subway. but it has to be a metrocard that you buy inside the airport. this will not work if you pay for your bus fare with change when you board the bus.

at laguardia, the buses, pick you up, not directly when you exit the airport, you have to walk to the island in the middle to get on the bus. there should be a bus stop that you will be able to see with a pole that will list all the buses that will stop there. Then look for the bus that you want and make sure you get on the right one.

You should be able to use the same metrocard on the bus and the subway as you are allowed one free transfer between bus and subway. but it has to be a metrocard that you buy inside the airport. this will not work if you pay for your bus fare with change when you board the bus.

The landside newstands at LGA is where I've purchased metrocards if I happen not to have mine with me.

I've gotten off this bus at the stop just before it gets on the Triboro and then transfered to the W train to Manhattan. Problem is you have to walk up a lot of steps, which is a real pain with bags. Also the W train is slow.

Flying in from UK and would like to travel as the locals do.

You are not flying from the UK to LaGuardia. So either you are COMING FROM another city or you are GOING TO another airport.

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As noted ny Landing Gear, there is no direct service from the UK to LGA. LGA is not an "airport of entry"; it does not have customs or immigration facilities. So either you are connecting somewhere, or you are not arriving at LGA.

There are several terminals at LGA. At some, the local buses stop right at the terminal curb; at others, you may have to walk to a center island for the bus stop. If you are, in fact, flying into LGA, which airline will you be on?

The M60 bus to the downtown "6" subway at Lexington Avenue and 125th Street, is certainly your easiest option. I would not bother taking an express train and changing to the local at 42nd Street: It will not save you more than 5 or 10 minutes, and changing trains at 42nd Street while toting luggage will not be fun, especially if you are traveling during a peak travel period.

....I would not bother taking an express train and changing to the local at 42nd Street: It will not save you more than 5 or 10 minutes, and changing trains at 42nd Street while toting luggage will not be fun, especially if you are traveling during a peak travel period.

Doesn't that transfer just involve stepping across the platform to the other side?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7130e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Yes. But if one is traveling during peak periods, both the platform and the train can be very crowded. By boarding the "6" local at 125 Street, the OP has a good chance of getting a seat for her entire trip. And the trip time on the "6" from 125 Street to 28 Street is only about 20 minutes.

The locals get picked up. :D
Exactly, most locals would just take a taxi. Same views as on the bus (well, prob not since the taxi would probably take the midtown tunnel, but still good views on approach from Queens). You can ride the subway plenty once you get here. :)

Thankyou for all the replies.
Yes I am flying in from the UK and yes it is a connecting flight...long story

Forget about the bus/subway, particularly if you are landing at night. It will take forever and will be a miserable way in which to first see NYC. In addition, if you are on the subways late at night there are drunks and some very strange people. Generally, I tell people to avoid the subways from 12AM to 5AM (when trains don't run that often). I have lived in NYC for 14 yrs and would never use the subway during those hours due to infrequent service and a few not so good elements.

Take a cab, about $25-$30 (includes toll and tip) into Manhattan. As other posters have indicated you will have more than enough time to use NYC subways and buses once you arrive. Suggest you get a subway map from one of the booth clerks. Like London's tube, you can transfer to any other line for free in addition to free transfers to buses. Would also suggest a weekly unlimited card.

In addition, if you are on the subways late at night there are drunks and some very strange people. Generally, I tell people to avoid the subways from 12AM to 5AM (when trains don't run that often). I have lived in NYC for 14 yrs and would never use the subway during those hours due to infrequent service and a few not so good elements.What do you do when you see drunks, strange people and "not so good elements" on the street? Run inside a building?

at laguardia, the buses, pick you up, not directly when you exit the airport, you have to walk to the island in the middle to get on the bus.This is true only at the DL/NW terminal and the DL shuttle. At the US terminal and the Central Terminal, the bus stops curbside immediately outside of the baggage claim. To the OP, if you tell us what airline you are arriving on, and where exactly on E. 28th, we can provide you with much more detailed information.


Forget about the bus/subway, particularly if you are landing at night. It will take forever and will be a miserable way in which to first see NYC. In addition, if you are on the subways late at night there are drunks and some very strange people. Generally, I tell people to avoid the subways from 12AM to 5AM (when trains don't run that often). I have lived in NYC for 14 yrs and would never use the subway during those hours due to infrequent service and a few not so good elements.I happen to disagree with this, but I also think it's unlikely the OP will be arriving during these hours.

Everything you ever wanted to know about NYC airport transportation:

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

FYI, if you are arriving anywhere near rush hour - 7-10am or 4-7pm, FORGET this idea. I hate taking cabs and once many years tried the bus. I think that was actually from JFK pre-AirTrain but the idea is going to be the same. The bus AND subway were so crowded that people kept tripping over my luggage and I could not get a seat meaning a long time standing and trying my best to hold luggage upright going around sharp turns.

Never tried that one again. Although I will ride the subway/AirTrain combo to JFK if it is not rush hour and if I don't have more than a carry on.

FYI, if you are arriving anywhere near rush hour - 7-10am or 4-7pm, FORGET this idea. I hate taking cabs and once many years tried the bus. I think that was actually from JFK pre-AirTrain but the idea is going to be the same. The bus AND subway were so crowded that people kept tripping over my luggage and I could not get a seat meaning a long time standing and trying my best to hold luggage upright going around sharp turns.I regularly take the bus/subway combo to and from LGA, usually during rush hour, and never had had this problem. And I almost always get a seat.

And while I by all means support your reporting your anecdote, it does seem ridiculous to me to make such an emphatic recommendation based on a single experience many years ago, when many of us do this dozens of times a year.

Exactly, most locals would just take a taxi. Same views as on the bus (well, prob not since the taxi would probably take the midtown tunnel, but still good views on approach from Queens). You can ride the subway plenty once you get here. :)

Disagree I generally try to take the M60 home from LGA..Going out though I take a cab since I'm pressed for time.
Cheers
howie

Another data point: arrived at LGA today at 940p. Boarded a Q33 bus outside the US terminal, transferred to the F train in Jackson Heights, and was at 23rd and 6th less than 50 minutes later.

I agree that most NYers would just hop in a cab -- and I sometimes do, too -- but for a net sacrifice of 20 minutes of my time, I saved $30, about a gallon of fuel, and the equivalent in automobile emissions.

The locals get picked up. :D

Welcome to Flyertalk susan450.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Car service, anyone?

Took the words right out of my mouth. Car service, anyone?

Many people on this board would argue that cabs are generally better than car services at LGA, since cabs are always at the taxi stands while you have to find your car with a car service. If you frequently arrive at peak times at a terminal where the taxi stand lines are long, however, I suppose you might disagree. Or if you simply MUST ride in an Escalade... ;)

I am a local and would take the bus over the taxi option from LGA since I have an unlimited monthly metro card :-)


Exactly, most locals would just take a taxi. Same views as on the bus (well, prob not since the taxi would probably take the midtown tunnel, but still good views on approach from Queens). You can ride the subway plenty once you get here. :)

I am a local and would take the bus over the taxi option from LGA since I have an unlimited monthly metro card :-)I don't have an unlimited use card, but I do splurge for the $2.

you will get on the bus in front of the terminal building, i think in the lower level. Sit on the left, if you want to see Manhattan downtown from the bridge.
Get off at Lexington Avenue - you will pick up subway lines 4,5 or 6 there at the 125th street station - direction downtown/brooklyn. These line takes you down to 28th street.
If you dont have a metro card yet, try to get a multiple ride card at the airport's newspaper stands. If you dont find a prepaid metrocard, get a single ticket on the bus and buy a metrocard at 125th st station.

i agree. this is probably the cheapest way to do it... M60 to Harlem-125th, then 4,5,6 down to E 28th

if you don't have a metrocard, you won't get the free bus-to-subway transfer... but at least you can do that upon return. i really wish there were a metrocard machine at lga... grrr.

if you don't have a metrocard, you won't get the free bus-to-subway transfer... but at least you can do that upon return. i really wish there were a metrocard machine at lga... grrr.

You can buy Metrocards from most newsstands at LGA. They don't always all have stock, however, so start asking at the first newsstand you see (airside) when you get off your plane.

Note that if you don't get a Metrocard, you'll need $2 in coins for the bus, because they don't take bills. You won't get the free transfer to the subway, but you can ask the driver for a free transfer to another bus if you want to do a 2-bus route.

I live on East 24th Street, not far from where the OP is headed, and I usually get to the airport via the New York Airport bus service at Grand Central. It's $21 round trip and getting to Grand Central is easy from the East 20s. They run every 20 minutes and it's my compromise between not wanting to schlep on NYC transit or spend the money for a cab (although I do take a taxi if it's very late or very early).

http://www.nyairportservice.com/index.html

Forget about the bus/subway, particularly if you are landing at night. It will take forever and will be a miserable way in which to first see NYC. In addition, if you are on the subways late at night there are drunks and some very strange people. Generally, I tell people to avoid the subways from 12AM to 5AM (when trains don't run that often). I have lived in NYC for 14 yrs and would never use the subway during those hours due to infrequent service and a few not so good elements.

Take a cab, about $25-$30 (includes toll and tip) into Manhattan. As other posters have indicated you will have more than enough time to use NYC subways and buses once you arrive. Suggest you get a subway map from one of the booth clerks. Like London's tube, you can transfer to any other line for free in addition to free transfers to buses. Would also suggest a weekly unlimited card.

OK, just to be clear, this usually applies to the far ends of the subway system. And I'd put it after 2:00AM, I regularly ride it until then.
I've gotten on the subway at 3:45AM on a Sunday morning and have stepped into a car full of mothers with strollers, construction guys returning from work, and businessmen in suits. Actually, I'm still confused by this, but there were 40 people in the car with me. Not one drunk but me. :D

Honestly...take a taxi. Taking the bus route, you will see some of NYC, but you'll burn precious vacation time and LOTS of energy. $30 and you get dropped at your door. I take the bus all the time, but it's just not very time-efficient.

Not all locals are picked up at the airport. The public transport can actually be fairly convenient and efficient.

Getting to LaGuardia from Midtown the 7 train to 82nd Street is pretty quick and the Q33 runs up a quiet street, little traffic.

From LaGuardia you can often be on a bus before you'd get through the taxi queue or walk to the parking lots with your driver. Again, the Q33 travels up a local street and isn't subject to the nightmare that is the Grand Central Parkway and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE).

For Manhattan's East Side I would suggest the Q. 33 to the 7 train to the 6 train OR the M 60 to the W train (weekdays) / N train (nights and weekends).

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Don't forget that the Q72 is now extended to LGA at all times. The Q72 to the 7 train at Junction Boulevard is a reasonable option, especially if the Q72 arrives before the other buses.

I'm training it from the burbs to 125th street tomorrow morning. I'll transfer to the M60 bus to LGA. Unless I missed it on the thread or Wiki, how long is the ride on the M60 between 125th/Park Ave and LGA?

The MTA says it's 40 minutes from Broaway to LGA. Should I expect 25 minutes from Park Ave/125th street to LGA?

FYI... M60 schedule here... http://www.mta.info/nyct/bus/schedule/manh/m060cur.pdf

I'm training it from the burbs to 125th street tomorrow morning. I'll transfer to the M60 bus to LGA. Unless I missed it on the thread or Wiki, how long is the ride?

The MTA says it's 40 minutes from Broaway. Should I expect 25 minutes from 125th street to LGA?

FYI... M60 schedule here... http://www.mta.info/nyct/bus/schedule/manh/m060cur.pdf

Assuming train means Metro North to 125th St., wouldn't that be what's referred to as 125th and Park Ave. on the schedule?

I'm training it from the burbs to 125th street tomorrow morning. I'll transfer to the M60 bus to LGA. Unless I missed it on the thread or Wiki, how long is the ride on the M60 between 125th/Park Ave and LGA?

The MTA says it's 40 minutes from Broaway to LGA. Should I expect 25 minutes from Park Ave/125th street to LGA?


I took the M60 from the central terminal to 125th and Park this past Friday night and, while extremely crowded, it was pretty fast, especially once the bus got off airport grounds and into Astoria. Easy connection to Metro-North, and for $2 the price is right. Took about exactly 25 minutes.

Should I expect 25 minutes from Park Ave/125th street to LGA?



Update Fron Park Ave and 125th street to the first stop at LGA, the trip was 28 minutes. Add 5 minutes if you're bound for the main terminal.

If you plan on doing the M60 bus in the afternoon rush hour, consider allowing 60 plus minutes. Maybe someone can report back on rush hour trips.

Add 5 minutes if you're bound for the main terminal.You can save time by getting off at the first LaGuardia stop and walking over to the main terminal rather than waiting for the bus to circle all the way around to it.