Is LaGuardia or JFK better to get to Manhattan?

LaGuardia is the closest of New York's three airports to Manhattan, and as such, is the most easily accessible by car transportation. Business travelers from domestic US destinations tend to favor LGA due to its proximity to the city's central business districts.



Choosing between LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK depends on your specific destination in Manhattan and your tolerance for different modes of transport. LaGuardia (LGA) is geographically much closer, located only about 8.6 miles from Midtown. For those staying in Upper Manhattan or the East Side, LGA is almost always the better choice, as a taxi or rideshare can take as little as 25 to 40 minutes and is generally cheaper (around $35 to $55). However, LGA lacks a direct subway connection, requiring you to take a bus (like the M60 Select Bus Service) to reach the nearest train. JFK, while further away (about 15 miles), offers a more predictable "all-rail" option via the AirTrain to the E, J, or Z subway lines or the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which can reach Penn Station or Grand Central in about an hour. JFK is also the primary hub for international arrivals and offers much more frequent flight options. In 2026, the newly redeveloped Terminal B and C at LGA have made it a beautiful, efficient choice for domestic travelers, while JFK remains the massive, multi-terminal "global gateway" that is often the only choice for long-haul visitors.

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Taxis from LaGuardia to Manhattan don't have a flat fee (like JFK) and will range between $35-$50 depending on the time of day. The ride can be as quick as 30 minute or upward of an hour, depending on traffic. Uber/Lyft will run $40 – $60, depending on time of day and destination.

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Tips are big business in New York, as they are in the rest of the US. But sadly you'll be expected to pay over the odds in the Big Apple. 20% of the fee is the recommended amount. If you're paying with card instead of cold hard cash, the amount of gratuity will automatically be added to the charge.

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LaGuardia is one of the three big airports that serve New York City, along with Newark and John F. Kennedy Airports. With four terminals and two 7,000-foot runways, it's a gateway both to NYC and to destinations across North America.

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20% of the fee is the recommended amount. If you're paying with card instead of cold hard cash, the amount of gratuity will automatically be added to the charge. It could go as high as 30%, so keep that in mind if you're squeezing pennies.

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Besides the 15-minute AirTrain ride from JFK to Jamaica Station, the transfer to Times Square with the Subway Line E should last around 41 minutes. Thus, the total duration of your ride from JFK to Times Square should be approximately one hour.

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For years 20% has been considered a generous tip when dining in at a restaurant, but according to the magazine, 20% is now the bare minimum and anyone who leaves anything less is rude. Additionally, the magazine says you should be leaving $1 whenever you pick up a coffee and tipping at least 10% when you grab takeout.

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