NYC - Better to land at LGA or EWR
Jul 3, 2019, 9:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: All over the great white north
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 652
NYC - Better to land at LGA or EWR
I have a few meetings coming up in NYC from August to October. The location is in midtown so based on google maps a Taxi from either airport would take about 25-30 minutes. So in terms of speed of going through security which airport would be more convenient for AC flights?
Jul 3, 2019, 9:38 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Not sure what security you mean, for you return? From where?
If you are flying into LGA/EWR from YYZ or a few others (YUL and YVR possibly), you clear immigration in Canada. So there's no immigration or security on the NYC end. If terms of which has less traffic I imagine it depends on time of day. Flying out both EWR and LGA are pretty much a disaster. Also getting to them from I assume Manhattan (by midtown) 25-30 mins seems somewhat optimistic but again 3am Sunday vs 9am Monday is going to differ substantially.
If you are flying into LGA/EWR from YYZ or a few others (YUL and YVR possibly), you clear immigration in Canada. So there's no immigration or security on the NYC end. If terms of which has less traffic I imagine it depends on time of day. Flying out both EWR and LGA are pretty much a disaster. Also getting to them from I assume Manhattan (by midtown) 25-30 mins seems somewhat optimistic but again 3am Sunday vs 9am Monday is going to differ substantially.
Jul 3, 2019, 9:43 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: All over the great white north
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 652
Not sure what security you mean, for you return? From where?
If you are flying into LGA/EWR from YYZ or a few others (YUL and YVR possibly), you clear immigration in Canada. So there's no immigration or security on the NYC end. If terms of which has less traffic I imagine it depends on time of day. Flying out both EWR and LGA are pretty much a disaster. Also getting to them from I assume Manhattan (by midtown) 25-30 mins seems somewhat optimistic but again 3am Sunday vs 9am Monday is going to differ substantially.
If you are flying into LGA/EWR from YYZ or a few others (YUL and YVR possibly), you clear immigration in Canada. So there's no immigration or security on the NYC end. If terms of which has less traffic I imagine it depends on time of day. Flying out both EWR and LGA are pretty much a disaster. Also getting to them from I assume Manhattan (by midtown) 25-30 mins seems somewhat optimistic but again 3am Sunday vs 9am Monday is going to differ substantially.
Jul 3, 2019, 9:50 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
LGA has a larger AC footprint/staff/frequency, and is mostly mainline.
LGA has the new MLL and AC gates in the new section.
EWR is QK.
I'd personally go with LGA. Just my 2c.
Jul 3, 2019, 9:57 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,396
Not sure what security you mean, for you return? From where?
If you are flying into LGA/EWR from YYZ or a few others (YUL and YVR possibly), you clear immigration in Canada. So there's no immigration or security on the NYC end. If terms of which has less traffic I imagine it depends on time of day. Flying out both EWR and LGA are pretty much a disaster. Also getting to them from I assume Manhattan (by midtown) 25-30 mins seems somewhat optimistic but again 3am Sunday vs 9am Monday is going to differ substantially.
If you are flying into LGA/EWR from YYZ or a few others (YUL and YVR possibly), you clear immigration in Canada. So there's no immigration or security on the NYC end. If terms of which has less traffic I imagine it depends on time of day. Flying out both EWR and LGA are pretty much a disaster. Also getting to them from I assume Manhattan (by midtown) 25-30 mins seems somewhat optimistic but again 3am Sunday vs 9am Monday is going to differ substantially.
Jul 3, 2019, 12:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Eh no kidding. Although I find that LGA tends to have worse traffic heading into town at all hours (whereas EWR only truly sucks at peak times). EWR has train direct to Penn Station however which is a big plus if your meetings are anywhere near by and you are traveling light.
As others have hinted at or stated, expect things to go wrong.
Also as you are 'only' E50k as far as I can see, consider OMW.
Jul 3, 2019, 3:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
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Really depends on exactly where in the midtown area. EWR traffic is more predictable as others stated. If business is in west side of Manhattan then definitely recommend EWR.
LGA sucks right now with all the construction and taxi lines can be 2 hour wait at times.
LGA sucks right now with all the construction and taxi lines can be 2 hour wait at times.
Jul 3, 2019, 4:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,818
I got stressed with a 10 minute wait at Macau earlier this year. Hate to think what would happen if I had to stand around 2 hours waiting for a taxi.
Jul 3, 2019, 4:30 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Good thing w EWR is you have a train (after the airtrain) that takes you into NYP...... You have the option of NJT or prebuy an Amtrak ticket. Also bus on 495 has its own lane leaving Lincoln tunnel into PABT.... at times they have bus lanes into as well.
Last edited by global happy traveller; Jul 3, 2019 at 4:38 pm
Jul 3, 2019, 4:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Jul 3, 2019, 11:21 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Public transportation is the way to go at LGA, especially with all of the constructions happening.
Q70-SBS to E train - one-stop after airport exit - you can get to Manhattan within 20 minutes. I have done it, but of course had no wait on the bus or the subway.
And LGA > EWR if you are flying AC from YYZ or YUL.
Line 6/7? You can't transfer either at Astoria or Lex/125th. Astoria is N/W train (the station is closed until December btw). Lex/125th is 4/5 train.
Q70-SBS to E train - one-stop after airport exit - you can get to Manhattan within 20 minutes. I have done it, but of course had no wait on the bus or the subway.
And LGA > EWR if you are flying AC from YYZ or YUL.
ouch.... faster to take M60 and then Line 6/7 subway at Astoria or 125th/Lexington.....gets me into town in approx 90 mins?
Good thing w EWR is you have a train (after the airtrain) that takes you into NYP...... You have the option of NJT or prebuy an Amtrak ticket. Also bus on 495 has its own lane leaving Lincoln tunnel into PABT.... at times they have bus lanes into as well.
Good thing w EWR is you have a train (after the airtrain) that takes you into NYP...... You have the option of NJT or prebuy an Amtrak ticket. Also bus on 495 has its own lane leaving Lincoln tunnel into PABT.... at times they have bus lanes into as well.
Jul 3, 2019, 11:51 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: China Eastern
Posts: 1
I personally recommend EWR if your location is in midtown, NJ transit has service to EWR every 30 minutes and it takes about 20 mins on the train and 5 mins on the shuttle. You can arrive at EWR within 45 mins in most cases. LGA however, largely rely on ground transportation, with unexpected congestions and unreliable MTA services it is very likely to miss the flight if you leave your place right on time.
Jul 4, 2019, 2:58 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,154
Be aware NJ Transit can be extremely crowded during peak hours, the capacity of Air Train is tiny, the turnstiles between NJT and Air Train is also a bottleneck where you can be delayed a few minutes. I highly recommend downloading the NJ transit app and buy ticket on your phone.
Jul 4, 2019, 2:59 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA Million Miler
Posts: 1,358
For midtown, I've come to favor the bus over the train from EWR. You get on the bus immediately outside of an arrivals terminal. It is express, so only 3 stops in midtown: Port Authority bus terminal, Bryant Park/NYPL, and near Grand Central Terminal. The airtrain seems maddeningly slow then you have to wait for the NJ Transit train and it isn't so convenient with luggage and you won't get a seat if busy.
Jul 4, 2019, 6:40 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: yyz
Programs: status-free
Posts: 565
Public transportation is the way to go at LGA, especially with all of the constructions happening.
Q70-SBS to E train - one-stop after airport exit - you can get to Manhattan within 20 minutes. I have done it, but of course had no wait on the bus or the subway.
And LGA > EWR if you are flying AC from YYZ or YUL.
Q70-SBS to E train - one-stop after airport exit - you can get to Manhattan within 20 minutes. I have done it, but of course had no wait on the bus or the subway.
And LGA > EWR if you are flying AC from YYZ or YUL.