LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Guide
Quick summary
LaGuardia has been almost entirely rebuilt into gleaming new Terminal B and Terminal C, transforming its once-notorious reputation. It is the closest airport to Manhattan, but there is no direct subway -- the cheapest transit option is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to the subway in Queens, while most travelers use a taxi or rideshare.
The bottom line on LGA
LGA is the closest of the three New York airports to Midtown, but the thing that catches people is that there is no subway station here at all, and Terminal B and Terminal C are run separately. If you are switching airlines you exit, take the free inter-terminal shuttle, and clear security a second time, so confirm your exact terminal before you arrive and build in buffer time.
The cheapest route into the city is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway hub, about 15 minutes, then a train into Manhattan. If you are driving, pre-book the garage online to save roughly $25 to $29 a day over the steep walk-up rates.
AirportScore
Our own 1β5 rating of the LGA traveler experience, scored from the verified data on this page. See airport rankings β Β· How we score β
Traps most travelers fall for at LGA
- There is no subway station at LGA at all β the cheapest route in is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway hub, then a train into Manhattan.
- Terminal B and Terminal C are run separately, so switching airlines means exiting, taking the free inter-terminal shuttle, and clearing security a second time.
- Walk-up parking is steep at roughly $80 (Terminal B) to $89 (Terminal C) per day β pre-book the garage online to save about $25β29 a day, and don't plan an overnight since LGA runs a curfew and isn't designed for sleeping.
Terminals at LGA
LaGuardia's multi-billion-dollar reconstruction replaced the old terminals with two modern ones. Terminal B (the Central Terminal) serves American, United, Southwest, and others, and its award-winning new headhouse connects to the gate concourses by pedestrian bridges over the taxiways. Terminal C is Delta's new terminal, opened in 2022, consolidating Delta's operations under one bright, modern roof. The historic Marine Air Terminal (sometimes called Terminal A) handles limited operations. Terminal B and Terminal C are adjacent but operated separately; a free inter-terminal shuttle bus connects them landside, and you generally re-clear security if you switch terminals.
LGA parking rates & options
| Terminal B garage β walk-up daily max | About $80 per day |
| Terminal B garage β hourly | $5 first 30 min, then $10 per 30 min |
| Terminal B garage β pre-booked daily | About $55 per day |
| Terminal C garage β walk-up daily max | About $89 per day |
| Terminal C garage β hourly | $6 first 30 min, then $12 per 30 min |
| Terminal C garage β pre-booked daily | About $60 per day |
| Pre-booking online savings | About $25-29 per day |
| Cell phone / rideshare waiting | Follow signage |
Where the money actually goes at LGA
The gap between the cheapest and dearest parking here is $64 a day β $25 at the pre-booking online savings versus $89 at the terminal c garage β walk-up daily max. Over a week that is $448, for the same trip.
Calculated from the published rates in the table above β not an estimate. Rates change, so confirm before you book.
π Getting to & from the airport
There is no subway station at LaGuardia. The cheapest option is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus, which runs nonstop from the terminals to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue / 74th Street-Broadway subway hub in Queens (about 15 minutes), where you connect to the E, F, M, R, and 7 trains into Manhattan. Local MTA buses (M60-SBS, Q47, Q48) also serve the airport. Taxis to Manhattan are metered -- roughly $35-55 plus tolls and surcharges depending on destination and traffic. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) picks up at designated areas at each terminal and typically runs about $40-70 to Manhattan. LaGuardia is the closest of the three NYC airports to Midtown, often 20-40 minutes by car outside of peak traffic.
LGA vs JFK vs EWR: which airport is easier?
How the traveler experience compares, side by side.
ποΈ Lounges
The rebuilt terminals brought a strong lounge lineup. Terminal B has the American Airlines Admirals Club, a United Club, and a Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club. Terminal C is anchored by the large Delta Sky Club with its rooftop Sky Deck. Access is generally by airline membership, premium ticket, or an eligible credit-card/Priority Pass-style pass, and lounges are terminal-specific, so you cannot easily reach a lounge in the other terminal without re-clearing security.
πΆ Wi-Fi
LaGuardia offers free, unlimited Wi-Fi -- connect to the '_Free LGA WiFi' network and accept the terms to get online.
π΄ Layovers & overnight
LaGuardia is best for short layovers rather than overnights -- it operates on a curfew and is not designed for sleeping, and Terminal B and Terminal C are separate, so switching airlines usually means the shuttle bus and a fresh security screening. That said, the new terminals are a huge upgrade, with excellent local New York food, natural light, and comfortable seating. There is no hotel inside the terminals, but several hotels sit minutes away in East Elmhurst with shuttle service. For a long connection, Terminal B's central hall and Terminal C's Delta concourses both have plenty of dining.
Insider tips
- There is no subway at LGA -- the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to Jackson Heights is the cheapest transit route.
- Pre-book parking online to save roughly $25-29 per day versus walk-up rates.
- Terminal B and Terminal C are separate -- confirm your terminal, since switching means a shuttle and new security.
- LGA is the closest NYC airport to Midtown, so a taxi or rideshare can be quick outside rush hour.
- Allow buffer time for the pedestrian bridges and inter-terminal shuttle in the rebuilt layout.
LGA airport β FAQ
οΌ β How much is parking at LGA?
The Terminal B garage runs up to about $80 per day at walk-up (around $55 per day if pre-booked online), and the newer Terminal C garage up to about $89 per day walk-up (around $60 per day pre-booked). Pre-booking online typically saves roughly $25-29 per day compared with walk-up rates.
οΌ β How do I get to Manhattan from LGA?
There is no direct subway. The cheapest option is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway station (about 15 minutes), then a train into Manhattan. A metered taxi runs roughly $35-55 plus tolls, and rideshare typically about $40-70; LGA is the closest NYC airport to Midtown.
οΌ β Is Wi-Fi free at LGA?
Yes. Connect to '_Free LGA WiFi' and accept the terms for free, unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the airport.
οΌ β How do I get between terminals at LGA?
Terminal B and Terminal C are separate buildings connected landside by a free inter-terminal shuttle bus. Because they operate independently, switching terminals generally means exiting, taking the shuttle, and clearing security again, so allow extra time.
οΌ β Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at LGA?
Rideshare and app-based rides use designated pickup areas at each terminal, marked with 'Car Services and App-Based Rides' signage. Follow the app's directions to the correct terminal pickup zone; expect longer waits during peak periods.
Sources & official links
This guide is independent and not affiliated with LaGuardia Airport. Parking rates, terminal layouts, and transit options change often β always confirm on the airport's official website before you travel.