How to Get from LGA Airport to Times Square: The Insider’s Guide
When you are planning on how to get from LGA Airport to Times Square, remember that there is no direct train. This simple fact turns what should be an 8-mile trip into a decision that can cost you $100 or $2.90, 30 minutes or 2 hours.
The Best Way Depends on You
- Cheapest (and locals’ choice): Q70 bus to the 7 train. Total cost is $2.90. Takes 45–60 minutes. Do not do this with heavy bags at 5:00 PM.
- Fastest (no traffic): Taxi or Uber. 25–35 minutes if you land at 10:00 AM. Expect $45–$70. Can hit $90 during surge pricing.
- Easiest with luggage: Private car service. A driver meets you at arrivals. Cost is $65–$120. Worth it for families or after a long flight.
- The “hack” locals use: Q70 bus to the LIRR train from Woodside. Only $5 off-peak and beats rush hour traffic entirely.
Option 1: The Subway (Q70 + 7 Train) – For Budget & Solo Travelers
Since LGA has no direct train, you take a free bus to the subway. This is the standard budget route that millions use.
Step-by-step:
- Follow the blue signs for “LaGuardia Link Q70” outside Terminals B or C. This bus is free from the airport.
- Ride the bus for 10–15 minutes to the last stop: Jackson Heights, Roosevelt Avenue.
- Go downstairs and take the 7 train toward Manhattan.
- Get off at 42nd Street–Times Square after 5 stops (about 15 minutes).
Cost: $2.90 total. You only pay when you tap your phone or MetroCard at the subway turnstile. The bus is free.
The hidden detail: If you use the same credit card or phone to tap for the subway, the system remembers you just got off the bus. You will not be charged twice. This is called a free transfer.
When to choose this: You are traveling alone or with one other person. You have a backpack or a rolling suitcase. You land before 4:00 PM or after 7:00 PM.
When to avoid this: Rush hour (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM). The 7 train gets packed. You will be standing with your luggage while commuters glare at you. Also, avoid if you land after midnight. The train runs less often.
Option 2: The Taxi (Yellow Cab) – For First-Time Visitors
New York yellow taxis are easy to find. You walk outside, get in line, and tell the driver, “Times Square.” It is the most straightforward option.
How it works: Follow the “Taxi” signs to the official line. A dispatcher will put you in a cab. Do not talk to anyone who approaches you inside the terminal. They are not official drivers.
Real cost breakdown (as of Apr 2026):
- Metered fare (distance and waiting time): around $40–$50
- Airport pickup fee: around $1.75
- Rush hour surcharge (weekdays 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM): around $2.50
- Congestion surcharge (entering Manhattan below 60th Street): around $2.50
- RFK Bridge toll: ~$6.50
- Tip (15–20%): around $8–$12
Total real-world cost: $65–$85.
Time: 30–60 minutes, depending on traffic.
The local trick: Ask the driver, “Is the bridge or the tunnel faster right now?” Experienced drivers know the RFK Bridge is usually faster off-peak, while the Midtown Tunnel can be a parking lot at 5:00 PM.
When to choose this: You are visiting for the first time. You land after 11:00 PM when subways run less often. You have two or three large suitcases.
Option 3: Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) – App Convenience with a Catch
Uber and Lyft work fine at LGA. You order through the app and meet your driver in a designated pickup area. But there is one major problem: surge pricing.
The real cost: On a normal day, an UberX costs $45–$60. But if it is raining, or a concert just let out, or it is 5:00 PM on a Friday, that same ride can jump to $85–$100 instantly.
The comparison: A yellow taxi does not have surge pricing. If Uber shows $85, walk to the taxi line. The cab will be cheaper.
When Uber wins: You are sharing with 3 or 4 friends. An UberXL (large SUV) costs about $70–$90 split four ways, which is cheaper than two taxis. You also avoid needing cash for tolls.
Option 4: Private Car Service – The “No Surprises” Choice
Private car services offer fixed pricing. You book online before your flight. When you land, a driver meets you at baggage claim with a sign holding your name.
If you travel often or want a premium experience, booking a private car service from LGA to Manhattan is worth the investment.
Why do people pay for this?
- Flat rate: You know the exact price before you book. Traffic does not change it. Surge pricing does not exist.
- Meet and greet: After a 6-hour flight, someone is waiting for you. You do not stand in a taxi line or chase a rideshare.
- Luggage space: Sedans and SUVs have real trunk space.
Cost: $65–$120, depending on the vehicle. A standard sedan is usually $70–$90. An SUV for a family of four with bags is $100–$130.
When to choose this: You are a business traveler. You have a late arrival (after midnight). You are traveling with small children and need car seats (many services provide them). You simply want the most relaxed experience.
Option 5: The Local Hack (Q70 + LIRR) – Fastest Public Transit
This is the route that most tourists do not know about. Instead of taking the Q70 bus to the local 7 train, you stay on the bus for two more stops to Woodside.
At Woodside, you buy a CityTicket for the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road). This is a commuter train that is faster, cleaner, and has fewer stops than the subway.
Step-by-step:
- Take the free Q70 bus from LGA to Woodside–61st Street (stay on past Jackson Heights).
- Buy a CityTicket in the MTA TrainTime app. As of January 2026, an off-peak CityTicket costs $5.25 and a peak CityTicket costs $7.25.
- Take the LIRR one stop to Penn Station (8 minutes) or Grand Central (13 minutes).
- From Penn Station, you are a 15-minute walk or one subway stop from Times Square.
Total cost: Around $5–$7 (plus the free bus).
Time: 30–40 minutes from the airport to Midtown. This is often faster than a taxi during rush hour because trains do not sit in traffic.
When to choose this: You land between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM or after 7:00 PM. You are comfortable using a train app. You want to beat traffic for cheap.
Comparison Table: See Them Side by Side
Still not sure how to get from LGA Airport to Times Square? Here is a comparison table for you to decide.
Option | Total Cost (1 person) | Time | Best For | The Downside |
Q70 Bus + 7 Train | $2.90 | 45–60 min | Budget travelers, light luggage | Crowded at rush hour, stairs with bags |
Q70 + LIRR (Hack) | $5–$7 | 30–40 min | Beating traffic, faster transit | Requires app purchase, one transfer |
Yellow Taxi | $65–$85 | 30–60 min | First-time visitors, simplicity | Meter runs in traffic, tolls add up |
Uber / Lyft | $45–$100+ | 30–60 min | Splitting the cost with friends | Surge pricing can double the fare |
Private Car Service | $70–$120 | 30–50 min | Families, business travelers, late nights | Must be booked in advance |
How Traffic Changes Everything (Peak vs. Off-Peak)
The distance from LGA to Times Square is only 8 miles. But New York traffic is unpredictable. Here is the real difference:
Off-Peak (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, or after 8:00 PM):
- Taxi / Uber: 25–35 minutes.
- Q70 + Subway: 40–45 minutes.
- Winner: Taxi is faster, but not by much. The subway is almost as quick for $2.90.
Peak Rush Hour (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM):
- Taxi / Uber: 50–75 minutes (and the meter keeps running).
- Q70 + Subway: 45–55 minutes (traffic does not affect the train).
- Winner: The subway is faster and cheaper during rush hour.
Late Night (Midnight – 5:00 AM):
- Taxi / Uber: 20–25 minutes (no traffic).
- Subway: 60+ minutes (trains run every 20 minutes).
- Winner: Taxi. Do not wait for the subway at 2:00 AM.
How to Choose Based on Your Situation
You are traveling with two large suitcases.
Take a taxi or private car. Do not take the bus. The Q70 has luggage racks, but you still have to drag bags up stairs at the subway station. It is not worth it.
You are a solo traveler with a backpack.
Take the Q70 bus to the 7 train. It costs $2.90 and gets you there in under an hour. This is the best value in the city.
You are a family of four.
Take a private Airport car service or an UberXL. Splitting the cost of an SUV ($90–$120) among four people is $22–$30 each. That is cheaper than four subway fares ($11.60) and 100x easier with kids and bags.
You land at 8:00 PM on a Wednesday.
Take the Q70 + LIRR hack. Traffic leaving LGA at 8:00 PM is still heavy. The train bypasses all of it. You will be in Midtown in 35 minutes for $5.
You land at 5:00 PM on a Friday.
Take the subway (Q70 + 7 train). Do not take a taxi or Uber. You will sit in traffic and watch the meter hit $80. The train will get you there faster.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes while planning how to get from LGA Airport to Times Square
Mistake 1: Taking a taxi during rush hour.
You will pay $80–$100 to sit still. Take the train.
Mistake 2: Paying for the Q70 bus.
The Q70 is free from the airport. If a driver asks for money, you are on the wrong bus.
Mistake 3: Not having a payment method for the subway.
The subway does not take cash at the turnstile anymore. You need a contactless credit card, Apple/Google Pay, or a MetroCard. You can buy a MetroCard at vending machines in the subway station.
Mistake 4: Forgetting the free transfer.
If you tap your card on the bus and then tap the same card on the subway, you pay once ($2.90 total). If you use different cards or cash on the bus, you pay twice ($5.80).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take from LGA to Times Square?
30 minutes on a good day with a taxi. 60 minutes on a normal day with the subway. 90 minutes during rush hour in a car.
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi from LGA?
Sometimes. Uber is cheaper off-peak ($45 vs. $65). A taxi is often cheaper during surge pricing when Uber hits $85–$100.
Is public transport safe at night?
Yes, the Q70 bus and the 7 train are generally safe. But if you land after midnight, wait times increase. Most locals recommend a taxi after 1:00 AM.
What is the cheapest way to get from LGA to Times Square?
The Q70 bus to the 7 train. Total cost is $2.90. You cannot beat this price.
Can I use my phone to pay for the subway?
Yes. Tap your contactless credit card or Apple/Google Pay at the OMNY reader on the bus and at the subway turnstile. Use the same device for both legs to get the free transfer.
