LaGuardia Airport (LGA IATA) is the third major airport in the New York area. While JFK and Newark Airport are major international airports, LaGuardia mostly serves domestic flights.
Understand
[edit]
LaGuardia is the smallest of the New York Metropolitan Area's three major airports, but also the closest to Manhattan. Almost all direct flights from LGA are to destinations within 1,500 mi (2,400 km). Most flights are domestic; however, there are international flights from Canada, Aruba, the Bahamas and Bermuda. The Marine Air Terminal, now known as Terminal A, is one of the world's oldest airport terminals still in use. It opened in 1939 and initially served the iconic PanAm "Clipper" flying boats, a heritage which is visible in its Art Deco architecture and large Great Depression–era mural.
LaGuardia gained a shoddy reputation in the 21st century, and politicians have described it as a "Third World airport" while calling for investment in infrastructure. In 2009, LGA ranked last among major U.S. airports in both on-time arrivals and customer satisfaction. That has, however, changed with the opening of the new Terminal B in 2021, which is far more spacious and pleasant to use than the old one with numerous shopping and dining options, while a new Terminal C was opened in June 2022, replacing both the old Terminals C and D.
In 2019, LaGuardia hosted 373,356 flights serving 31.1 million passengers: 28.9 million domestic and 2.2 million international. Almost 15,000 people work at LGA.
Visitor information
[edit]The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has a website for LaGuardia Airport.
Flights
[edit]
LaGuardia has three passenger terminals.
| Terminal A (Marine Air Terminal) Spirit |
| Terminal B Air Canada, American, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, United |
| Terminal C Delta, WestJet |
Ground transportation
[edit]By bus
[edit]Costing $2.90, except for the Q70 bus, which is free, local buses are the cheapest method of transport, although the slowest to Manhattan. The buses have little room for luggage. Some, especially the Q70 SBS listed below, are usually equipped with luggage racks. These buses offer connections to the subway and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
The MTA is migrating to a new contactless payment system called OMNY. With OMNY you can use a smartphone or contactless card (i.e. credit cards with the 
symbol) to pay for fares on all New York City buses and subways. The system will eventually be rolled out to commuter rail systems including LIRR through the OMNY app. Alternatively you can use the MetroCard, which will continue to be supported until 2024.
Free transfers between bus and subway are available only with OMNY/MetroCard; the single ride ticket does not allow free transfers. Coins are needed to board the buses without OMNY/MetroCard. There is a change machine in the airport terminal and MetroCards can be bought in the airport at Hudson News. The MetroCard vending machine at the airport does not accept cash. SBS buses require paying the fare before you board (except OMNY, which is paid when entering the bus).
- M60 SBS[dead link] serves all terminals, with connections to:
- Astoria Blvd at 31st St & Hoyt Ave (15–25 minutes): N W (the W runs weekdays only)
- 125th St & Lexington Ave (30 minutes): 4 5 6 6
- 125th St & Park Ave (30 minutes): Metro-North Railroad's Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven Lines. Going toward LaGuardia, the bus stops at Madison Ave, instead.
- 125th St & Lenox Ave/Malcolm X Blvd (30 minutes): 2 3
- 125th St & St. Nicholas Ave (35 minutes): A B C D (the B runs weekdays only)
- 116th St–Columbia University & Broadway (40 minutes): 1 This route is particularly useful if you are staying on the Upper West Side, including at Hostelling International New York, which is close to the bus's last stop at 106th St & Broadway.
- Q70 LaGuardia Link SBS serves all terminals except Terminal A, with connections to:
- Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave/74th St (15 minutes): 7 E F F M R
- 61st St–Woodside (20 minutes): 7 7 & Long Island Railroad
Note: There is no charge to travel on the Q70 SBS, as fare collections on the route have been suspended until further notice.
- Q47[dead link] serves only Terminal A, with a slower trip to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave/74th St (30 minutes)
- Q48[dead link] serves all terminals, with connections to:
- Flushing–Main St (30 minutes): 7 7 & Long Island Railroad
- Q72[dead link] serves all terminals except Terminal A, with connections to:
- Junction Blvd & Roosevelt Ave (30 minutes): 7 7
- 63rd Dr–Rego Park (45 minutes): M R
By shuttle bus
[edit]Go Airlink Shuttle - Shared van door-to-door service. $16 to Manhattan. 10% discount for online purchase.
NYC Airporter bus[dead link] - provides services to Grand Central Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal for $13 one-way, $23 round-trip (return ticket). Buses depart every 20–30 minutes and the trip to Grand Central Terminal can take up to 65 minutes. While the schedule online shows a stop at Penn Station, the bus does not go there between noon and 6PM.
By taxi
[edit]Taxi - Taxis cost $21–30 to Manhattan plus tips, tolls, a $0.50 tax to NY, and a $1 surcharge during rush hour. You can save on tolls by asking the driver to use the Queensboro Bridge for points in Midtown and the Upper East Side, the Williamsburg Bridge for the Village and downtown, or the Brooklyn or Manhattan Bridges for points downtown. If your destination is above 72nd Street, it is better to pay the toll ($5.50) and take the RFK Bridge (formerly called the Triboro) into Manhattan.
Private car service - An alternative to taxis, car services are useful for getting to the airport from the outer boroughs where taxis are harder to find, or if you prefer to have transportation reserved in advance. Typically, $40 or more between LGA and Manhattan.
By rental car
[edit]Rental car companies are located in neighborhoods around the airport. All rental car shuttles operate to/from the Rental Car Shuttle Transfer Point next to Terminal A. From other terminals, you will need to take the free Airport Shuttle Bus (pre-security) to Terminal A.
Get around
[edit]
Free shuttle buses connect all terminals and parking lots, running every 8–10 min during peak times and every 15 min off-peak. If transferring between terminals, you will have to re-clear security to get to your gate.
Wait
[edit]- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (Terminal B, Eastern Concourse). 5AM–6:30PM.
- American Airlines Admirals Club (Terminal B, Western Concourse). 4:30AM–7:30PM (Saturdays until 5PM).
- 1 Delta Sky Club (Terminal C, above security checkpoint). 5AM–9:30PM (Saturdays until 8PM).
- 2 Delta Sky Club (Terminal C, next to Gate 81). 5AM–9:15PM (Saturdays until 6:30 PM).
- United Club (Terminal B, Eastern Concourse). 5AM–7:30PM (Saturdays until 5PM).
Eat and Drink
[edit]Terminal A
[edit]- 1 Salotto (Departure gates).
Terminal B
[edit]Central terminal (pre-security)
[edit]- 2 Dos Toros Taqueria (Level 4). Burritos, tacos, quesadillas, bowls, salads, and nachos.
- 3 Dunkin' (Dunkin' Donuts) (Level 1). M–F 7AM–2:30PM. A branch of this Northeastern chain, which is mainly known for its coffee and doughnuts but also has sandwiches, etc.
- 4 Dunkin' (Dunkin' Donuts) (Level 4). 4:30AM–1PM.
- 5 Junior's (Level 4). A branch of the Brooklyn classic.
- 6 Tony & Benny's (Level 4).
- 7 Zaro's Family Bakery (Level 4). 5AM–6PM daily. Founded in the Bronx in 1927, this small New York-area chain offers baked goods and coffee.
Concourses (post-security)
[edit]- 1 Brewery Heights (Western Concourse, gate D7). 11AM–6PM daily. Beer, wine, and pub cuisine.
- 8 Shake Shack (Eastern Concourse, gates 40–59). 5AM–9PM daily. New York chain—now found nationwide and internationally—known for its burgers, hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, and shakes.
- 2 Starbucks (Western Concourse, gate D3). 5AM–5PM daily. Resistance is futile. This Seattle-based coffee chain is everywhere, including the airport.
- 3 Tap and Pour (Western Concourse, gates D4-D6).
Terminal C
[edit]- 9 Artichoke (Food Hall, gates C28–C29). 8AM–8:30PM daily. A branch of this smallish chain serving its own idiosyncratic take on New York-style pizza which started in New York and now has branches throughout the tri-state area, plus a couple in California and one in Arizona.
- 10 Cotto (Gate C30).
- 11 Custom Burgers (Food Hall, gates C28–C29).
- 4 World Bean (Food Hall, gates C28–C29), ☏ +1-718-533-3400. 5AM–10PM daily. Coffee and baked goods.
Concourse D
[edit]- 12 Bar Brace (Gates D4-D10).
- 13 Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda (Food Hall), ☏ +1-718-656-6210. 5AM–midnight daily.
- 14 Prime Tavern (Food Hall).
- 15 Tagliare (Food Hall), ☏ +1-718-656-6210. 5AM–midnight. Grab and go New York-style pizza and stromboli.
- 5 World Bean (Food Hall), ☏ +1-718-656-6210. 5AM–10PM daily. Coffee and baked goods.
Concourse G
[edit]- 16 H&H Bagels (AM) (Gate 92). A popular New York bagel joint.
- 17 Rossi Pizzeria, Gates 92–98 (Gate 92).
Buy
[edit]Terminal A
[edit]Terminal B
[edit]Central Terminal (pre-security)
[edit]- 1 Sunglass Hut, ☏ +1-718-565-2423. 6AM-8PM.
- 2 Duty Free Americas (DFA), ☏ +1-718-803-3920. 6AM-9PM.
Concourses
[edit]Terminal C
[edit]Connect
[edit]Terminal A
[edit]There are charging stations located by the departure gates.
Terminal B
[edit]Charging stations at all departure gates
Terminal C
[edit]Cope
[edit]Terminal A
[edit]Welcome Center at Arrivals.
Terminal B
[edit]Guest Service Desk between Gates 40 and 59.
Terminal C
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Airway Inn, 82-20 Astoria Blvd, East Elmhurst, ☏ +1-718-565-5100, toll-free: +1-800-356-0250. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. $117–$165.
- 2 LaGuardia Plaza Hotel, 104-04 Ditmars Blvd, East Elmhurst, ☏ +1-718-457-6300, toll-free: +1-800-692-5420. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $137–$271.
Nearby
[edit]The neighborhood that includes the airport is called East Elmhurst. Other nearby neighborhoods with easy bus connections from the airport include Jackson Heights, Flushing, Astoria, Corona and Woodside.
| Routes through LaGuardia Airport |
| Manhattan ← Bronx ← | W  E
|
→ Long Island |