LGA day trip recommendations
May 16, 2024, 4:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,304
LGA day trip recommendations
On a forthcoming trip to NYC I have a free day (weekday) and want to 'tick off' flights from and to LGA - I'm UK based. So, the plan would be, morning flight from LGA to somewhere, lunch (sightseeing not important) then return flight to LGA in the afternoon/evening. I guess the thing I'm most looking to avoid is traffic! So, any AA destinations you recommend for a stress free day trip?
May 16, 2024, 4:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 738
On a forthcoming trip to NYC I have a free day (weekday) and want to 'tick off' flights from and to LGA - I'm UK based. So, the plan would be, morning flight from LGA to somewhere, lunch (sightseeing not important) then return flight to LGA in the afternoon/evening. I guess the thing I'm most looking to avoid is traffic! So, any AA destinations you recommend for a stress free day trip?
May 16, 2024, 4:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,559
I'd add XNA to the list as well. RDU/CLT are closer flying-wise.
I would say to avoid YYZ/YUL. While both good ideas, the addition of customs in Canada twice will wipe away a lot of your time, unless you have at least Global Entry (I don't believe UK citizens are eligible for Nexus).
I would say to avoid YYZ/YUL. While both good ideas, the addition of customs in Canada twice will wipe away a lot of your time, unless you have at least Global Entry (I don't believe UK citizens are eligible for Nexus).
May 16, 2024, 4:45 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 887
The easiest is BOS, the airport is very easy and very close to the city, the only negative is that AA has pulled a lot of service, DCA is also an easy airport, public transportation into the city and hourly service, the other two cities with a lot of flights are CLT and ORD but they are both further, airports aren’t easy and traffic is tough, in the end Boston is the easiest and you can get to either the seaport or downtown Boston area via public transportation very quickly or via Uber in 15 or 20 minutes but Dca is a close second
May 16, 2024, 4:52 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,304
I don’t know why anyone would fly LGA-PHL instead of the train, but it is only a ~1 hour flight (that’s with padding - it’s probably closer to 30 minutes in the air) and there are 6 round trips a day… 2 morning flights from LGA. And there is a train from PHL to Center City Philly, though it’s also an easy Uber / taxi ride. Me, I’d go to Boston. Logan is close enough in to the center of Boston. O’Hare and Toronto Pearson are too far out to make it worthwhile, IMO. DCA is another good one - easy to get from National into D.C.
I'd add XNA to the list as well. RDU/CLT are closer flying-wise.
I would say to avoid YYZ/YUL. While both good ideas, the addition of customs in Canada twice will wipe away a lot of your time, unless you have at least Global Entry (I don't believe UK citizens are eligible for Nexus).
I would say to avoid YYZ/YUL. While both good ideas, the addition of customs in Canada twice will wipe away a lot of your time, unless you have at least Global Entry (I don't believe UK citizens are eligible for Nexus).
May 16, 2024, 4:58 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,316
If you are willing to go to JFK then go for the extreme and do LAX. It is totally doable…the first flight gets into LAX at 9am PT and the last non-red eye departure is usually around 3pm. Back in New York by midnight after 6 hours in LA
May 16, 2024, 4:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,559
May 16, 2024, 5:22 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,304
I particularly want to fly out of LGA this time, but I would consider a transcon in the future! Are redemptions easy to come by?
May 16, 2024, 5:34 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,559
May 16, 2024, 5:34 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 30,449
May 16, 2024, 5:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 241
Same back to the airport.
May 16, 2024, 6:36 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Admirals Club member
Posts: 432
Do CLT... Get there by late morning. Get some BBQ for lunch....15-minute cab ride to Noble Smoke or Midwood Smokehouse. You're a Brit, so then go to Big Ben's for a pint.
If you have 5 hours in CLT, this is easy and not stressful.
If you have 5 hours in CLT, this is easy and not stressful.
May 16, 2024, 7:09 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 241
As a UK ex-pat living in CLT, I would recommend Edmond Halley over Big Ben. There’s a Midwood smokehouse on the same mall.