LaGuardia Airport (LGA IATA) is the third major airport in the New York area. While JFK and Newark Airport host more international flights, LaGuardia hosts more domestic flights.
Understand
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 has 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. Hopefully the ongoing reconstruction and renovation project, scheduled to be completed in 2021, will improve the traveler experience at LGA and add a few amenities that are lacking at the "old" LGA.
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.
Flights
LaGuardia has four passenger terminals, separated by airline.
| Terminal A (Marine Air Terminal) JetBlue |
| Terminal B Air Canada, American, Southwest, United |
| Terminal C Delta, Frontier, Spirit, WestJet |
| Terminal D Delta, WestJet Concourse G: Delta |
Ground transportation
By bus
Costing $2.75, 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).
Free transfers between bus and subway are available only with a MetroCard; the single ride ticket does not allow free transfers. Coins are needed to board the buses without a 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.
- M60 SBS 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, and Q47 serves only Terminal A. Both have connections to:
- Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave/74th St (10 minutes): 7 E F F M R
- 61st St–Woodside (15 minutes): 7 7 & Long Island Rail Road
- Q48 serves all terminals, with connections to:
- Flushing–Main St (30 minutes): 7 7 & Long Island Rail Road
- Q72 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
Go Airlink Shuttle - Shared van door-to-door service. $16 to Manhattan. 10% discount for online purchase.
NYC Airporter bus - 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 stops at Penn Station, the bus does not go there between noon and 6PM.
By taxi
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
Take the free LaGuardia Link shuttle bus to the rental car center.
Get around
For quick transfers between concourses in Terminal B without needing to re-clear security, American Airlines runs a shuttle bus. Ostensibly for American Airlines passengers, they may allow flyers on other airlines to ride it. The shuttle stops at:
- Terminal B, Eastern Concourse, gates 50-51
- Terminal B, Western Concourse, gates 22-24
- Terminal B, Western Concourse, gate D2B
For all other transfers, free LaGuardia Link shuttle buses connect all terminals and parking lots, running every 8–10 min during peak times and every 15 min non-peak. If transferring between terminals, you will have to re-clear security to get to your gate. There are multiple routes, so ask the driver if they will stop at your destination.
Wait
- 1 American Airlines Admirals Club (Terminal B, Western Concourse, between gates D1–D10). 4:30AM–5PM.
- 2 Delta Sky Club (Terminal C, gate C26). 5:15AM–8PM.
- 3 Delta Sky Club (Terminal D, gate 2). 5:15AM–8PM.
Eat and Drink
Terminal A
- 1 Salotto (Departure gates).
Terminal B
Central terminal (pre-security)
- 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)
- 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
- 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.
Terminal D
- 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
- 16 H&H Bagels (AM) (Gate 92). A popular New York bagel joint.
- 17 Rossi Pizzeria, Gates 92–98 (Gate 92).
Buy
Terminal A
Terminal B
Central Terminal (pre-security)
- 1 Sunglass Hut, ☏ 1-718-565-2423. 6AM-8PM.
- 2 Duty Free Americas (DFA), ☏ 1-718-803-3920. 6AM-9PM.
Concourses
- 3 Cibo Express. Gourmet market.
- 4 Hudson News.
Terminal C
- 5 Cibo Express (Gates C3-4). 5AM-10PM. Gourmet market.
Terminal D
- 6 Bisoux Market (Gate D3). 7AM-10PM.
Connect
Terminal A
There are charging stations located by the departure gates.
Terminal B
Charging stations at all departure gates
Terminal C
Terminal D
Cope
Terminal A
Welcome Center at Arrivals.
Terminal B
Guest Service Desk between Gates 40 and 59.
Terminal C
Terminal D
Sleep
- 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 Comfort Inn & Suites LaGuardia Airport, 60-30 Maurice Ave, Maspeth, ☏ 1-347-448-3197. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $95–$174.
- 3 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
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 |