The Best (and Cheapest) Ways to Get to Manhattan from LaGuardia Airport on Transit
LaGuardia gets a lot of hate for a lot of reasons. But one of them is that it’s the only New York airport without a rail connection.
But even though you can’t take a train directly to or from LaGuardia, it’s still by far the most convenient New York City airport.
I always try to book LaGuardia over JFK and Newark.
You don’t need to shell out \$20+ for an AirTrain, or sit in New Jersey traffic on a bus for an hour.
With a little know-how, you can get from LaGuardia to Manhattan in under an hour for the cost of a slice of pizza.
Here are the best ways to get between LaGuardia (LGA) and Manhattan, ranked by price, convenience, and real-world experience.
Option 1: Q70 LaGuardia Link Bus + Subway ($2.90 total)
This is usually the move. If you’re headed to Midtown or Downtown Manhattan, the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus is built for exactly this purpose.
Step 1: From your terminal, follow the signs to the Q70 stop. The bus is basically a shuttle — no stops until you reach Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave, where you can jump on the E, F, M, R, or 7 trains into Manhattan.
Step 2: From there, it’s a straight shot to Midtown, Lower Manhattan, or Queens connections.
The Q70 is free, frequent, and has luggage racks.
You’ll just pay $2.90 when you transfer to the subway.
Pro tip: plan your flight around a meal in Jackson Heights. I’ve killed hours between flights eating Colombian arepas, Tibetan momos, and Indian dosas, all on one block.
Cost: $2.90 Time: 45–60 minutes
Option 2: M60 Bus ($2.90)
If you’re coming from uptown Manhattan, the M60 is the way to go.
It runs across 125th Street, connecting with the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, D trains and even Metro-North at Harlem–125th, before crossing into Queens and ending at LaGuardia. The subway transfers are free, so the total cost will be $2.90.
It’s not always fast (I’ve definitely sat in traffic on the Triboro Bridge wondering if I should’ve just biked), but it’s direct, and if you’re already uptown, it’ll likely be the fastest.
Cost: $2.90 Time: 45–75 minutes
Option 3: Take a Citi Bike (free if you’ve got a membership)
Here’s the underrated thing about LaGuardia: it’s close.
The airport is right on the edge of Astoria, which means if you’re in northern Queens or even East Harlem, the distance isn’t crazy. I’ve biked there a few times, and it was faster for me than the bus options would’ve been.
Of course, it depends on where you’re coming from. For me, my ebike ride was free because of my Citi Bike membership. (You can read how I do this in my article on Citi Bike tips.)
I take the Triboro Bridge, but you have to haul your bike up a set of stairs.
If you’re going to Midtown Manhattan, the Queensboro Bridge, which now has a wider bike lane, is the way to go.
Even walking is technically possible from parts of Astoria. If you’re traveling super light like I do, it’s doable and also very satisfying.
If you don’t have a Citi Bike membership, the ebike ride can get expensive quick, so this tip is really only for those who live in New York.
What About a Direct Subway to LaGuardia?
The biggest, most transit-rich city in the U.S. never figured out how to run a train to one of its airports
There were plans, then lawsuits, then new plans, and now…nothing. Realistically, it doesn’t look like LaGuardia will have a subway in our lifetimes.
Until then, the Q70 and M60 buses are our “rail links.” They work, but they’re not the same.
The Bottom Line
If you want the cheapest and most efficient option, take the Q70 LaGuardia Link to Jackson Heights and hop on the subway.
If you’re staying uptown, the M60 bus is perfect.
If you’re traveling light, remember: LaGuardia is so close you can literally bike or walk there from Astoria.
For once, New York made something easy. And that’s why, whenever I can, I always fly LaGuardia.
Want more NYC transit hacks? Check out my guide to getting to Manhattan from Newark Airport and my tips for NYC on a budget.
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