Getting from LGA to downtown Manhattan
 

I have someone who needs to go from LGA to downtown Manhattan (Wall St area) as inexpensively as possible. Trying to avoid regular cab service. The only option I could find is SuperShuttle.

I know the old Delta Water Shuttle is gone. Is there any other option? Is there another water taxi service from the airport?

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Michael Steinberg
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Watertaxi? That would be nice...

There are numerous threads on this, but just so you know, there is a MTA bus that runs from LGA to Harlem, from where you can take the subway downtown.

Check the mta site for schedule/route maps.

http://www.mta.info

If price is the only factor, the cheapest option ($1.50) is the M60 bus to 125th street, and then the express train (4/5) downtown. Total time will be about 30-40 min on the bus, and another 30-40 minutes on the train.

Thanks for the quick response. I'm surprised no one runs a water taxi service, at least during the good weather months. I'm sure lots of folks miss the Delta Water Shuttle. I'll suggest the bus/subway combo.

- Does this combo and fare apply during the week?
- Is it fairly easy to take the bus/subway with a small amount of luggage (1-2 pieces)?
- Do you ask the bus driver for a transfer when you board the bus?

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Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
www.biztrip.com
A site for travelers by a traveler with 20+ years experience
Please visit my site and let me know what you think.

Note of caution: according to this thread, the buses do not accept dollar bills, and there is no Metrocard vending machine at LGA. You can only get the free bus -> subway transfer if you use a Metrocard.

- Does this combo and fare apply during the week?

All the time except 2 to 4 AM.

- Is it fairly easy to take the bus/subway with a small amount of luggage (1-2 pieces)?

Two small pieces is easy. One big piece is not.

- Do you ask the bus driver for a transfer when you board the bus?

The bus driver can only give you a transfer to another bus. You need a Metrocard to transfer to the subway for free. Otherwise, pay $1.50 cash (coins only) and then another $1.50 at the subway station.

On the way back, buy a Metrocard with one ride in the subway station downtown and use it for the train and bus on the way back to LGA.

1)The price applies regardless to time and date.

2) It is fairly easy to take the subway with a small amount of luggage, a bit more cumbersome on the bus. During rush hours it becomes a bit more difficult.

3) Make sure the person buys a Metrocard. It is true the buses do not accept dollars. The card will allow for a free transfer from the train to the bus as long as the transfer is within 2 hours of the entry to the train.

Another suggestion, if an additional $10 is not out of the question is to take the train to Grand Central Station and to catch the airport buses to LGA. Thy run about once every 15-30 min and are more comfortable and faster than the M60 which is a public bus. This way would be my choice if the additional $10 isn't prohibitive.

You can buy a Metrocard at a newstand in the baggage claim area.

There is another City bus - help me out Queens residents - Q33 (32?) that takes you from LGA to the Roosevelt/Jackson Heights station where you can get trains to midtown Manhattan. Depeneding upon your actual destination in Manhattan this might be more convenient.

Q33

The other bus (the rate will be going up sometime soon to $2). If Wall Street is the destination, then I'd take the bus below to 74th, then the #7 train to Grand Central, then the #4 or #5 to Wall St. If you get a metro card the transfer from Bus to Subway if free, if not then it's two fares, the one subway to subway will be free. It's not a fun trip from Laguardia into the city by public transportation.

You can also take the Q33 bus to Roosevelt Avenue-Jackson Heights or 74th Street and Broadway in Jackson Heights Queens. If you get off the bus at Roosevelt Avenue, you can catch the E or F trains into Manhattan. If you get off the bus at 74th Street, you can catch the #7 train heading into Manhattan. This train stops at Times Square where you can transfer for free to another train to take you anywhere in the city. For a detailed subway map, visit the MTA's page.

While we're on the subject of LGA ground transportation, can any New Yorker or person familiar with the Big Apple list my ground transportation options between LGA and a JFK-area airport hotel around midnight (I'm flying into LGA the night before a JFK outbound flight). I'd like a combination of affordability and convenience. Am I best off with a taxi at that hour? How much can I expect to pay, and how long will the ride take?

[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 04-18-2003).]

At that time of night, your only real option is a cab. If you're getting in around midnight it should be a quick 20-25 minute ride, and the fare will be around $20.

Agreed - at that late hour you will need to take a cab. Other option would be to sleep over at a LaG hotel and take the shuttle to JFK in the morning (if your schedule allows)...
http://www.nyairportservice.com/jfk_lga_jfk.html

Or take the Q33 bus to Jackson Heights (74th St.), the E/F train to Kew Gardens and the Q10 bus to JFK airport. The Q10 stops all along the way approaching JFK at various hangars, hotels, etc., and all three run all night long, every 30 minutes or so (E/F every 10 minutes). It will cost you two fares (one for the Q33, one for the subway/Q10, providing you buy a metrocard for the subway). It will take time though.