Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

Daughter and I are going to meet up with some friends in NYC over the weekend. We're flying into La Guardia, due to land at 9.50pm tomorrow.

Previously I've flown into JFK landing around mid afternoon. Have used a car service (Carmel), cabs and hotel shuttle services in the past.

What do people recommend as the best option, given the time of day, safety etc?

Thanks

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

There is bus service to the Grand Central Terminal area, but I'd probably just jump in a yellow cab.

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

Thanks

How long roughly would be journey be? We're staying in Columbus Circus. Any idea on cost?

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

Sorry, it's so long since I've taken a cab into the city that I can't even hazard a guess as to the cost. Time is utterly dependent upon traffic--get lucky and it's half an hour, unlucky and it's an hour or more.

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

I'd say 30 to 40 minutes at that time of night. LaGuardia is much closer to Manhattan then JFK and the way to Manhattan is almost a straight run by cab to the FDR Drive then across town to Columbus Circle. The theater crowd should be gone by the time you get luggage and the cab so that will cut down on some traffic in Manhattan.

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

Are Uber allowed to La Guardia yet?

They've just been given permission to LAX which changes the fare from $20 by cab to $8 by Uber

And Uber know where they are going, cab drivers in LA are next to useless

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

Insist that the cab use the 59th Street Bridge aka Queensboro Bridge -- the route is more direct and there is no toll, so it should save you money. (Cabs might prefer to use other routes because they prefer to take the expressways. Unlike the trip from JFK, there is no fixed fare.)

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

The only reason not to take the 59th Street Bridge to get from LGA to Columbus Circle would be if the bridge was closed. Any other route would be a massive detour.

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

About 40 minutes and $55 IIRC when I was there last October. I think I crossed into Manhattan around 40th St, and left much further north (the Queensboro bridge?) .... and any saving on the toll was wiped by the journey taking longer. ..... So I don't think it makes much difference - budget about $55-$60, and be pleased if it is a few dollars less. :)

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

Uber are definitely allowed at JFK, and both airports are run by the Port Authority, so in theory what's good for one ought to be good for the other. I've given up on yellow cabs from JFK - Uber is much better and pretty much the same price, if not cheaper.

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

A cabbie might prefer to take the Midtown Tunnel, claiming that it's faster to stay on the expressway, but that will just add mileage and cost to the fare. Hence, my comment that the OP should insist on using the 59th Street Bridge.

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

I wasn't disagreeing with you at all on the route -- but in eight years living pretty close to LGA, I never had a cabbie try to take me through the Midtown to get to Columbus Circle -- which is why I pointed out to the OP, who may be unfamiliar with the location of bridge vs. tunnel, why dip down to the 30s when her destination is up at 59th Street? Just so she understands the route.

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

We'll yellow cab it and insist on the bridge if we ever take off! Been sitting on the Tarmac at O'Hare for half an hour while a maintenance man signs off the log to fix a broken seat tray! It's a 2 hour flight, live without the seat tray � ����� ����

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

Never a dull moment, eh? Have a great time in the city-- when you finally get there!

Re: Best way to get from La Guardia into Manhattan?
 

A complete mad ride into the city. The taxi drivers here are much crazier than in Chicago!

To add to the hive mind, there was no line for a taxi, it took around 20-25 mins and cost $58. Pretty spot on price wise Pulaski

Thanks all, enjoy your weekends.