EWR or LGA for easy and $$ commute to NYC?
 

There will be three of us traveling to NYC arriving on a Sunday and departing on a Wednesday. I know that EWR has train service to Penn Station but I don’t know what options there are from LGA. Which airport would offer the best ground transport to and from NYC both in convenience and cost?

There is train service from EWR-Penn Station in NYC. But if 3 of you are traveling, you'll obviously have 3 fares.
In terms of convenience, LGA is the way to go. Depending on traffic, you're in midtown NYC in 25 minutes. However, unless you're in the mood for a city bus and subway ride, a taxi or express bus/super shuttle are your best options. For 3 people, I'd definitely take a cab- probably will cost about $15-$25 (plus toll/tip $$), which is what 3 super shuttle fares would run.

[This message has been edited by dave_261 (edited 02-24-2003).]

The NJ Transit trains don't run very often on the weekend, and headed to NYC on a Sunday afternoon they can get very crowded. LGA is definitely your best choice.

dave_261 & JS

Thanks for the info. LGA it is. I'm using DL miles and had the option of EWR or LGA. I've been flying CO in and out of EWR for so long I've forgotten what it was like at LGA when I flew DL.

cab from LGA has cost me closer to $30. Still, split 3 ways that the same or less than the EWR train. Cab from EWR is $45-$50 because of distance and because its in another state and they can't legally pick up another fare.

A couple more notes...(I use both EWR and LGA)...although the AirTrain service from EWR to Penn Station is not great on the weekends, for about the same price you can take the Olympia Trails bus to Penn or Grand Central ($12 per person). Usually pretty fast on weekends. Cabs from NJ to NY are double the meter + tolls and tax, as stated above, due to the interstate thing.

Cabs from LGA are metered (no flat rate as from JFK) + tolls + tip. Not a bad option (considering 3 people) UNLESS there is heavy traffic. NY Airport Service bus is $11 per person and they go from LGA to Grand Central. Public transportation options (bus+subway) are cheap ($1.50) but time-consuming and if you have a lot of luggage, I wouldn't recommend it.

If I understand correctly, you are using award tix so there is no big airfare difference here (there definitely ARE price differences between these airports), so whatever is most convenient schedule wise is probably the best thing.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

The metered fare from LGA to midtown Manhattan on a Sunday typically ranges between $16 and $20 - for a total of less than $25 with tolls and tip (I do this weekly). The cab is definitely your best bet.

-Zombie-

Thanks to all for the great advise. I didn't specify but I'll be with the wife and daughter so it looks like a cab from LGA for sure.

I have posted cab/train/bus service options from all 3 major NYC airports at my Priceline and Hotwire website:

www.BetterBidding.com

(go to New York>> Hotel List and Tips and you'll see the topic in the list)

LGA, and all share a cab into the city, easily the best way to go.

there is a strange [convoluted ] way to get from lga to manhattan on public transport ...but a cab is the best ...i have taken a cab to soho many times...if you are going to that area , tell the driver to take the willimgsberg bridge.