LaGuardia to Manhattan
Six ways to get from LGA into the city — ranked by price, with advice to help you choose the right option for your trip.
Going the other way? See Manhattan to LaGuardia →
Unlike JFK and Newark, LaGuardia has no direct rail link. Getting into Manhattan means a bus connection — but the bus network is well-organized once you know which one to take. We’ve laid out your options below, with advice on cost, time, and when each one makes sense. They are listed from cheapest to most expensive.
Approximate one-way costs to Midtown Manhattan. Rideshare prices vary by time of day and demand. Verify current fares before you travel.
| Method | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transit | |||
| Bus + SubwayQ70 (free) or Q33 — then subway | $3.00Subway fare · Q70 bus is free | ~35–50 min | Cheapest |
| Bus + LIRRQ70 from Terminals B & C to Woodside Long Island Rail Road stationSee notes 1 & 2 | $5.25 / $7.25Off-peak / Peak · CityTicket fare | ~35–45 min | ⭐ Best Balance |
| Road | |||
| Shared VanGo Airlink NYC · Uber ShuttleSee note 5 | ~$15–$35Varies by pickup type | ~40–60 min | Budget, No Planning |
| Yellow TaxiMetered rate · See note 2 | ~$35–$60Meter + tolls + tip | ~30–60 min | Easiest After Landing |
| Uber / LyftSee note 3 | $40–$90+Varies widely · Check app | ~30–60 min | Flexible, Door-to-Door |
| Car Service / LimoSee note 4 | From ~$120+ tip & fees | ~30–60 min | Comfort, Zero Hassle |
1. From Terminals B & C: take free Q70 to Woodside Long Island Rail Road station; LIRR fare $5.25 off-peak / $7.25 peak (CityTicket)
2. From Terminal A: take free inter-terminal airport shuttle to Terminal B, then Q70 to Woodside
3. LGA taxis use metered rate (no flat rate); total = meter + tolls (if applicable) + 15–20% tip
4. Tip not included in estimate; 15–20% tip recommended
5. Two products available at different price points — see Shared Van section for details
6. Confirm pricing when booking; prices vary by vehicle type, destination, and number of passengers
Bus + Subway from LaGuardia to Manhattan
LaGuardia has no AirTrain or direct rail connection. The bus is your bridge between the airport and the subway, and once you know which bus to take, it’s a straightforward trip. All bus routes deposit you at the same major subway hub in Queens, where you can connect to Manhattan — rail connections are close, just minutes away by bus, but they are not inside the airport itself.
When the bus + subway makes sense
Good choice if you are:
- Traveling on a tight budget
- Comfortable with NYC transit
- Not traveling with multiple or heavy suitcases
Consider other options if you:
- Are arriving late at night with luggage
- Want a predictable, fixed travel time
- Are unfamiliar with the NYC subway system
- Are traveling with young children or have mobility needs
Step 1 — Which bus do you take?
Your bus depends on which terminal you’re arriving in. Use the table below to find your route.
| Your Terminal | Airlines Served | Your Bus | Destination / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal AMarine Air Terminal | Spirit, BermudAir | Q33Not free · Pay with OMNY or MetroCard | 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub~15–20 min ride |
| Terminal BMain terminal · Largest | American, United, JetBlue, Southwest, Frontier, Air Canada & others | Q70 FREELaGuardia Link · Board any door | 74 St / Roosevelt Ave hub or Woodside LIRR~15 min to hub · Non-stop on highway |
| Terminal CDelta & partners | Delta Air Lines & partners | Q70 FREELaGuardia Link · Board any door | 74 St / Roosevelt Ave hub or Woodside LIRR~15 min to hub · Non-stop on highway |
| All TerminalsA, B & C | — | M60Not free · Pay with OMNY or MetroCard | Upper Manhattan & the Bronx(via subway transfer in Manhattan)See callout below |
Step 2 — The subway hub: what you need to know
After your bus ride, you’ll arrive at one of NYC’s busiest subway hubs.
Here’s something that confuses a lot of travelers — and is worth knowing before you arrive:
Two stations, one location
Buses from LaGuardia will take you to a very large subway complex, which is served by five subway lines. Those subway lines, however, use two different official station names on maps and signs.
Those two names are:
- 74 St–Broadway station — this is the 7 train stop
- Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave station — this is the E, F, M, and R train stop
Despite the stations having different names, all five lines are part of the same connected complex. Once inside, you can follow signs to reach any of the platforms.
Bus schedules and MTA apps may use the combined name “74 St / Roosevelt Ave” — they all refer to the same place.
The station is located in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens.
Step 3 — Choose your subway line
Once inside the subway station, choose the line that best reaches your Manhattan destination.
7 Train — toward Manhattan
The 7 train runs both express and local from Queens into Midtown Manhattan. Note: the 7 Express does not stop at 74 St–Broadway in the Manhattan-bound direction — if an express pulls in, it will not stop for you. Board the local 7 when heading toward Manhattan from this station.
Good for:
- Grand Central Terminal / 42nd St (transfer to 4, 5, 6 trains)
- 5th Ave / Bryant Park
- Times Square–42nd Street
- 42nd St / Port Authority Bus Terminal
- Hudson Yards / 34th Street
E Train — toward Manhattan
The E train runs express into Midtown and downtown.
Good for:
- Upper East Side (transfer at Lexington Ave / 53rd St)
- Midtown
- 42nd St / Port Authority Bus Terminal
- Penn Station (34th St)
- Chelsea
- West Village
- SoHo
- Financial District
F Train — toward Manhattan
Loops around Manhattan.
Good for:
- Queens Plaza
- Midtown East
- 5th Ave / Bryant Park
- Rockefeller Center
- West Village
- Lower East Side
M Train — toward Manhattan
Local train — no express service. Important: the M train’s route changes significantly at night and on weekends. Late nights, the M does not run at all between Queens and Manhattan. Always check the MTA app before relying on the M for late-night travel.
Good for:
- Roosevelt Island
- Rockefeller Center
- 42nd St / Bryant Park
- 34th St / Herald Square
- Washington Square
- SoHo
- Lower East Side
R Train — toward Manhattan
Local train only — no express service (officially called the “Broadway Local”). Note: during late nights, the R short-turns at Whitehall St–South Ferry and does not run to Queens. Check the MTA app for late-night service.
Good for:
- Upper East Side
- Times Square–42nd St
- 34th St–Herald Square
- 14th St–Union Square
- New York University (8th St)
- Whitehall St–Staten Island Ferry
Paying for the bus and subway
Q70 Bus (Terminals B & C)
The Q70 is completely free — board from any door, no payment needed. When you reach the subway station, pay the standard $3.00 subway fare by tapping your credit card or digital wallet (Apple Pay / Google Pay) on the OMNY reader at the turnstile.
Q33 Bus (Terminal A) and M60 Bus (All terminals)
These buses are not free. Pay with OMNY — tap your credit card or digital wallet on the scanner when boarding. When you enter the subway within 2 hours using the same card, the subway transfer is free.
You can also purchase a physical OMNY card at vending machines in subway stations or at retail locations that sell them. Load value onto the card and tap to pay on the bus and subway.
LIRR Train from LaGuardia to Manhattan
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) offers the best balance of speed and cost from LaGuardia. Unlike the subway, the LIRR is a commuter rail system — it runs on dedicated tracks with fewer stops, faster speeds, and more space for luggage.
Both the Q33 (from Terminal A) and the Q70 (from Terminals B and C) drop you within steps of Woodside Long Island Rail Road station — and from there, you can take an LIRR train to either Penn Station on the West Side or Grand Central Madison on the East Side. This ride takes 11–15 minutes, with no traffic delays.
Why the LIRR is worth considering
Advantages
- Faster than the subway — direct into Manhattan in 11–15 minutes from Woodside
- Unaffected by traffic — road congestion, accidents, and weather don’t slow the train down
- More comfortable — has luggage racks & more space overall than the subway
- Very affordable — $5.25 off-peak / $7.25 peak; your connecting bus is free or low-cost
Getting to Woodside from all three terminals
- Terminal A: Take the free inter-terminal airport shuttle to Terminal B, then board the free Q70 bus to the Woodside Ave / 61st St. LIRR station. This is simpler and easier than navigating the subway with luggage.
- Terminals B & C: Take the free Q70 bus — stay on past the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway station to the Woodside Ave / 61st St. LIRR station.
Consider alternatives if you:
- Are arriving very late at night (limited LIRR service)
- Prefer door-to-door service
- Are trying to spend as little as possible (subway is cheaper)
Step 1 — Get to Woodside LIRR Station
From Terminal A: Take the free inter-terminal airport shuttle to Terminal B. The shuttle runs 24/7, every 8–15 minutes, and stops right outside the terminal. From Terminal B, board the free Q70 bus to Woodside Ave / 61st St. LIRR station.
From Terminals B & C: Board the free Q70 bus. Stay on past the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway station to Woodside Ave / 61st St. LIRR station. The Q70 has luggage racks on board.
Step 2 — Board the LIRR at Woodside
Woodside is in LIRR Zone 1 — the same zone as Penn Station and Grand Central Madison. This means your fare is priced as a CityTicket, the LIRR’s discounted fare for trips entirely within New York City.
Your two Manhattan destinations
From Woodside, LIRR trains serve both Manhattan terminals:
- Penn Station — West Side of Manhattan, 34th St. between 7th & 8th Avenues
Subway connections: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 lines - Grand Central Madison — East Side of Manhattan, subterranean station beneath Grand Central Terminal
Subway connections: 4, 5, 6, 7, S lines + Metro-North connections to suburbs
The MTA Train Time app and ticket machines list Grand Central Madison simply as “Grand Central”
Paying your LIRR fare
- Buy your ticket using a ticket machine at Woodside Station before boarding
- Or use the MTA Train Time app (App Store / Google Play) — activate your ticket before boarding
Off-peak trains cost less than peak-hour trains:
- Peak hours: 6–10 a.m. and 4–8 p.m., Monday–Friday (excluding holidays)
- Off-peak: all other times, including all day on weekends & holidays
Shared Van from LaGuardia to Manhattan
Three shared ride options serve LaGuardia — all with fixed pricing and no surge. Go Airlink NYC runs two distinct products at different price points. Uber Shuttle is a third option through the Uber app.
A — Grand Central Express (Go Airlink NYC)
Go Airlink NYC’s Grand Central Express picks you up at your terminal and brings you directly to their fixed stop at East 41st Street and Park Avenue — one block from Grand Central Terminal. Starting at ~$15 per person, it’s the most affordable shared ride from the airport into the city.
- Proceed to the Welcome Center in your terminal, use the courtesy phone, and dial #18 to confirm your reservation
- Departures hourly on the hour from the airport, 8 a.m.–9 p.m., 7 days a week
- Book in advance — walk-up not guaranteed
- Cancel up to 4 hours before pickup for a full refund
- May operate under the name NY Airport Service — same company, don’t be surprised
- Travel time: ~40–60 min from LGA to Grand Central
B — Door-to-Door Shared Ride (Go Airlink NYC)
Go Airlink NYC picks you up curbside at LaGuardia and drops you at your Manhattan hotel, residence, or transit hub. Expect to pay ~$30–$35. Shuttles make multiple stops, so build in extra time.
- Serves all three LaGuardia terminals
- Service from 4 a.m.–midnight
- Choice of shared van, private sedan, SUV, or chartered coach for groups
- Also serves cruise terminals
C — Uber Shuttle
- Book through the Uber app — select “Shuttle” from the home screen
- Fixed routes between LGA and Manhattan and Brooklyn
- Pickup at Terminals B and C only
- Departs every 15 minutes or so during peak hours
- Book up to 3 days in advance
- One piece of luggage plus one personal item included per seat
- Up to 5 seats can be reserved per booking
Yellow Taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan
Unlike JFK, LaGuardia taxis do not use a flat rate — the meter runs for the full trip. The fare depends on distance, time, and traffic. Follow signs in your terminal to the designated taxi pickup area.
Standard surcharges added to the metered fare:
- MTA surcharge — $0.50
- Improvement surcharge — $1.00
- Overnight surcharge — $1.00 (8 p.m.–6 a.m.)
- Rush hour surcharge — $5.00 (4–8 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays)
- NY State congestion surcharge — $2.50
- Congestion pricing toll — $0.75 (destinations south of 60th St.)
Uber / Lyft from LaGuardia to Manhattan
Each LaGuardia terminal has its own designated rideshare pickup area. The app will direct you once you’ve requested a ride.
Pickup locations by terminal
Terminal A
- Exit Terminal A
- Cross the street in front of the terminal
- Enter the designated Uber / Lyft pickup area
Terminal B
- From baggage claim, follow signs to “Car Services”
- A passageway leads to Level 2 of Terminal B’s parking garage
- Locate the numbered area indicated in your app
Terminal C
- Follow signs to “Car Services”
- Pickup areas are on the ground level outside Terminal C
- Look for hired vehicles on the inner lane of the arrivals island
Factors affecting Uber / Lyft prices:
- Type of vehicle requested
- Time of day and current demand (surge pricing)
- Number of passengers
- Trip distance and duration
- Tolls
- Delays from traffic, weather, or accidents
- Tip not included — 15%–20% is recommended
Car Service / Limo from LaGuardia to Manhattan
A pre-booked car service eliminates the uncertainty of metered taxis and rideshare surge pricing. Your driver meets you with a confirmed rate — and for many travelers, that peace of mind is worth the premium.
New York City has one of the most competitive private car markets in the world. We vetted options on Google Reviews and recommend the company below: 4.8/5 stars with 500+ reviews.
Final cost depends on your destination, vehicle type, number of passengers, and tip.
Maps & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in the East Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, New York City. It sits along the western shore of Flushing Bay, approximately 8 miles (13 km) by road from Times Square in Midtown Manhattan — making it the closest major airport to the city center.
The airport has three terminals: Terminal A (the historic Marine Air Terminal), Terminal B (the main, newly rebuilt terminal), and Terminal C (Delta Air Lines and partners).
Yes. LaGuardia is the closest major airport to Midtown Manhattan — approximately 8 miles (13 km) by road. By comparison, JFK Airport is roughly 15 miles (24 km) away, and Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey is about 16 miles (26 km) away. Despite being the closest, LaGuardia is often not the fastest due to its lack of a direct rail link and the surrounding road congestion.
The airport itself is open 24 hours, but most commercial flights operate between approximately 6 a.m. and midnight. Public transportation runs around the clock — the Q70 and M60 buses operate 24/7 — but frequencies are significantly reduced between roughly midnight and 5 a.m. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are available at all hours.
Yes. A free inter-terminal shuttle bus runs 24/7 between Terminals A, B, and C, arriving every 8–15 minutes. The terminals are not connected on foot — Terminal A is roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) from Terminals B and C — so the shuttle is the standard way to move between them. This is particularly useful for Terminal A passengers who want to access the free Q70 bus, which only serves Terminals B and C.
The LaGuardia Link is the official name for the Q70-SBS bus — a free, express bus service that connects LaGuardia Airport directly to the subway and LIRR in Queens. It runs nonstop between Terminals B and C and the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub in Jackson Heights, taking about 15 minutes in typical traffic. The bus then continues approximately 5 more minutes to the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station, where you can connect to LIRR trains into Manhattan. It has been fare-free since May 2022. See the full Bus + Subway section and Maps & Resources for details.
After taking a bus from LaGuardia to the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub, you can board the 7, E, F, M, or R trains. The right choice depends on your destination:
7 train: Times Square, Grand Central, Hudson Yards, Midtown East (via transfer)
E train: Midtown / 5th Ave., Penn Station, Port Authority, World Trade Center, Upper East Side (via transfer)
F train: Rockefeller Center, Lower East Side, East Village
M train: Midtown, Chelsea, Lower Manhattan (daytime only)
R train: Times Square, Union Square, City Hall, Bay Ridge Brooklyn
See the full Bus + Subway section for a complete breakdown by line.
It depends on your terminal and destination:
Terminals B & C → Q70 (free): The best option for most travelers. Takes you nonstop to the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub, and also stops near the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station.
Terminal A → Q33: Runs to the same 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub. Not free — pay with OMNY. Alternatively, take the free inter-terminal airport shuttle to Terminal B and board the Q70 instead.
All terminals → M60: Best for Upper Manhattan (above 125th St.) and the Bronx. Travels east to west along 125th St. with multiple subway transfer points. Not free.
See the full Bus + Subway section for step-by-step directions.
Yes, the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus is completely free. Board from any door — no tap, no payment needed.
The Q70 was made permanently fare-free in May 2022 by New York Governor Kathy Hochul while the state studied alternatives to the proposed AirTrain LaGuardia rail link. When the AirTrain project was officially canceled in March 2023, enhanced bus service — including the free Q70 — became the permanent solution. A $160 million upgrade package announced in March 2026 will add a dedicated bus lane on the BQE and increase frequencies further.
The Q70 runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During peak daytime hours it arrives every 8–10 minutes. Frequencies are reduced overnight. You can track real-time arrivals using the MTA Bus Time tracker.
No. There is no bus that runs directly from LaGuardia to Midtown without a transfer. The Q70 takes you to the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub in Queens, where you transfer to a subway line into Manhattan. The M60 travels across 125th St. in upper Manhattan — not Midtown. For a direct ride to Midtown without transfers, your options are taxi, Uber/Lyft, or a shared van service.
Not directly — but you can connect to Amtrak with one transfer. Take the free Q70 bus from Terminals B or C to the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station, then board an LIRR train to Penn Station in Manhattan. All Amtrak trains serving New York City depart from Penn Station. The Q70 is free, and the LIRR ride from Woodside to Penn Station costs $5.25 off-peak or $7.25 peak and takes about 11 minutes.
Q70 bus (Terminals B & C): Free — no payment needed. Board from any door.
Q33 (Terminal A) and M60 (all terminals): Pay with OMNY — the MTA’s contactless payment system. You can tap a credit or debit card, a smartphone (Apple Pay / Google Pay), a smartwatch, or a physical OMNY card on the scanner when boarding. Tap the same card or device at the subway turnstile within 2 hours and the transfer is free. Physical OMNY cards can be purchased at subway station vending machines or at local retailers.
Subway: $3.00 fare. Tap with OMNY at the turnstile.
The cheapest option is any bus + subway combination — the total cost is $3.00 regardless of which bus you take. The Q70 (Terminals B & C) is free, so you pay only the $3.00 subway fare. The Q33 (Terminal A) and M60 (all terminals) cost $3.00 each, but the subway transfer within 2 hours is free when you use OMNY — so the total is still $3.00. See the Bus + Subway section for step-by-step directions.
It depends heavily on your method and the time of day. See the cost table at the top of this page for a full breakdown. Approximate times:
Bus + Subway: ~35–50 minutes to Midtown in normal conditions
LIRR (via Q70 to Woodside Long Island Rail Road station): ~35–45 minutes total, including the bus ride
Taxi / Uber / Lyft: 20–60+ minutes depending on traffic — can be much longer during rush hour
LaGuardia is close to Manhattan by distance — 8 miles (13 km) — but road traffic through Queens and into Midtown can significantly extend travel times.
LaGuardia is approximately 8 miles (13 km) by road from Times Square in Midtown Manhattan. It is the closest major airport to the city — closer than JFK (15 miles / 24 km) and Newark (16 miles / 26 km). Despite the short distance, travel times vary significantly depending on traffic.
No. Unlike JFK, which has a $70 flat rate to Manhattan, LaGuardia taxis use the standard metered rate. The fare depends on distance, time, and traffic, with additional surcharges for rush hour, overnight travel, and tolls. A typical trip to Midtown runs $35–$60 before tip. See the Yellow Taxi section for a full breakdown of surcharges.
Not directly — there is no subway station at LaGuardia Airport. You first take a bus to a nearby subway hub in Queens, then transfer to the subway. The free Q70 bus (Terminals B & C) or the Q33 (Terminal A) take you to the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub, where you can board the 7, E, F, M, or R trains into Manhattan. The bus ride takes about 15 minutes.
The subway hub near LaGuardia is a large complex in Jackson Heights, Queens — but it has two different official names depending on which train you’re taking:
74 St–Broadway station — the 7 train stop
Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave station — the E, F, M, and R train stop
Both names refer to the same connected complex. Bus maps and MTA apps often combine them as “74 St / Roosevelt Ave.” The nearest subway station is about 3 miles (4.8 km) from the airport — always take the bus, not walk.
Not recommended. The nearest subway station is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) from the airport. The route crosses multi-lane highways and lacks pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in places. Walking would take 45–60 minutes even without luggage. Take the free Q70 bus instead — it gets you to the subway in about 15 minutes and has luggage racks on board.
There are two options from Terminal A:
Option 1 (recommended): Take the free inter-terminal airport shuttle to Terminal B or Terminal C, then board the free Q70 bus to the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave subway hub. A convenient option that keeps the whole journey to the subway free.
Option 2: Board the Q33 bus directly from Terminal A to the same 74 St / Roosevelt Ave hub. The Q33 is not free — pay with OMNY.
See the full Bus + Subway section for step-by-step directions.
Not directly from the airport — but a quick bus connection makes it possible. Take the free Q70 bus from Terminals B or C to the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station. From Woodside, Long Island Rail Road trains reach Penn Station (West Side of Manhattan) or Grand Central Madison (East Side of Manhattan) in about 11–15 minutes. The LIRR is a commuter rail system — separate from the subway, with its own tickets and platforms. See the full LIRR section.
The fastest transit option: take the free Q70 bus from Terminals B or C to the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station, then board an LIRR train to Penn Station. The LIRR ride takes about 11 minutes. Buy your ticket at the station machine or in the MTA TrainTime app before boarding — never on the train (an $8 surcharge applies). From Terminal A, take the free inter-terminal shuttle to Terminal B first, then follow the same route. See the LIRR section for full details.
No. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is a completely separate system from the NYC subway. It runs on dedicated tracks, has its own stations and platforms, and requires a separate ticket — you cannot use OMNY or a subway fare to board an LIRR train. The LIRR is a commuter rail system with fewer stops and higher speeds than the subway, making it faster for getting into Manhattan.
Two good options:
Via LIRR (fastest): Take the free Q70 bus to Woodside Long Island Rail Road station, then board an LIRR train to Grand Central Madison — the new underground LIRR terminal directly beneath Grand Central Terminal. Takes about 25–35 minutes total.
Via subway: Take the Q70 to the 74 St / Roosevelt Ave hub, then board the 7 train westbound to Grand Central–42nd St. Takes about 35–50 minutes.
See the LIRR section for full details on Grand Central Madison.
Yes, but with an extra step. Take the free inter-terminal airport shuttle from Terminal A to Terminal B or Terminal C, then board the free Q70 bus to the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station. This is the simplest and most comfortable route — no subway navigation required. See the full LIRR section for step-by-step directions.
Because the trip from Woodside to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison is entirely within New York City, it qualifies for a CityTicket — a discounted LIRR fare designed for short intra-city trips. CityTicket prices are $5.25 off-peak and $7.25 peak (as of January 2026), significantly cheaper than standard LIRR fares. Buy your ticket at the Woodside station machine or through the MTA TrainTime app before boarding.
Each terminal has its own designated rideshare pickup area:
Terminal A: Exit the terminal, cross the street, and enter the designated pickup area.
Terminal B: From baggage claim, follow signs to “Car Services.” A passageway leads to Level 2 of the parking garage. Locate the numbered area shown in your app.
Terminal C: Follow signs to “Car Services.” Pickup areas are on the ground level outside the terminal on the inner lane of the arrivals island.
See the full Uber / Lyft section for more details.
LaGuardia’s proposed AirTrain — a dedicated rail link to the airport — was officially canceled in March 2023. The project had been championed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo but faced widespread criticism because it would have required passengers to travel east to Willets Point before doubling back west to the airport, adding significant time and an extra fare.
Governor Hochul commissioned an independent review in 2021, and the expert panel ultimately recommended enhanced bus service instead. The free Q70 bus and a $160 million upgrade package — including a dedicated bus lane on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway — are the permanent solution. LaGuardia remains the only major U.S. airport without a direct rail link.
New York City has two main cruise terminals, and the right transportation depends on which one you’re sailing from:
Manhattan Cruise Terminal (Piers 88–92, West Side): Not easily reached by subway with luggage. Best options: Go Airlink NYC shared van (serves Manhattan cruise terminals directly — book in advance), taxi or rideshare (30–60 min depending on traffic), or a pre-booked car service.
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (Red Hook, Brooklyn): Located about 12 miles (19 km) from LaGuardia. Home to Carnival, Princess, and Cunard lines. Public transit takes about 90 minutes (Q70 + subway + bus) and is not recommended with cruise luggage.
Go Airlink NYC provides private car service directly to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal from LaGuardia — shared van service is not available for this route. Taxi or rideshare takes approximately 20–35 minutes.