Category Archives: Transportation

Transportation: To & From Airport

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LaGuardia Airport (LGA) offers a variety of transportation options to cater to travelers’ diverse needs, ensuring smooth connectivity to and from the airport.

LaGuardia is easily accessible via major highways:

  • Grand Central Parkway: The main roadway serving LaGuardia, connecting to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278) and the Long Island Expressway (I-495).
  • Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278): Provides routes to Brooklyn and Queens.
  • Long Island Expressway (I-495): Extends from Queens into Long Island, facilitating direct travel for those coming from or heading to Long Island.

Several public transit options are available, primarily managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA):

  • LaGuardia Link Q70 SBS: A free bus service that connects the airport to the 7, E, F, M, and R subway lines at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue and to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) at Woodside. This bus runs every 8-10 minutes.
  • M60 SBS: Connects LaGuardia to Manhattan’s Upper West Side, with stops along 125th Street, providing links to several subway lines including the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, and D lines.

Taxis are readily available outside each terminal, with fares to Manhattan typically around $40. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft also operate at LaGuardia, with designated pick-up and drop-off areas to streamline the process.

Private shuttle services like GO Airlink NYC and SuperShuttle provide door-to-door transport. These services are ideal for groups or those with substantial luggage, offering both shared and private ride options.

Major car rental companies, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, have facilities at LaGuardia. Shuttle buses transport passengers between the terminals and the rental car lots.

AirTrain

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As of 2023, the proposed AirTrain project for LaGuardia Airport has been officially canceled, following significant controversy and opposition. Initially championed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, the project aimed to connect the airport with the Mets-Willets Point subway and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stations. However, it faced criticism for its indirect route, high cost, and environmental impact.

Reasons for Controversy:

  1. Indirect Route: The AirTrain’s proposed route required travelers to head east away from Manhattan to Willets Point before doubling back towards the airport, which many deemed inefficient.
  2. High Costs: The project’s cost estimates ballooned from $450 million to $2.4 billion, raising concerns about financial feasibility.
  3. Environmental and Community Impact: Local community groups and environmental advocates opposed the project due to its potential to take away parkland and impact local property values. Legal challenges were filed against the FAA and Port Authority, citing these concerns.

In March 2023, the Port Authority announced the cancellation of the AirTrain project. Instead, an expert panel recommended expanding bus services, including a new all-electric shuttle bus running from the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard N/W subway station to the airport. The improvements are expected to cost about $500 million, significantly less than the AirTrain, and are projected to be implemented within the next five years.