magnumholmes

By best, I mean most economical and time-saving. We are thinking about flying in there in November (Thanksgiving week, YIKES!!).

Just want to know what to expect. The flight could be the one that arrives at 5:10 p.m. (HEART OF RUSH HOUR, YIKES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!)

Any help?

PaulRabe

This URL should help
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTrave...html#manhattan

More specifically, this URL should give you an idea of how frequently you can go from LGA to the Port Authority without changing the bus.
www.nyairportservice.com/page.php?id=55

travelbuff

Most economical and fastest are not the same going from LaGuardia to the Port Authority.

The most economical would be to take the Bus I think it is the #60 which goes across 125th St, you can connect at 110th to the #1 train to Times Square and it's a one block walk to the Port Authority, or at 59th St you can change trains to the A train.

There is an airport bus that you can take to Grand Central (around $10pp) and walk to take the bus to Port Authority on 42nd St. I think there is also a bus that goes from LaGuardia to Port Authority, so ask at the airport.

The most expensive option is to take a cab or car service, which will run you around $30-$50 depending on traffic.

nytraveler

You say we. If we is 2 the cost for cab is about the same as for a shuttle bus. For 3 cab is usually cheaper (it's on the meter).

There is public transit - but it's for locals, not travelers. You have to take a bus to a subway, there are flights of stairs and long passageways and no places for luggage storage. And it will take at least 1.5 hours to midtown - versus 30 to 45 minutes in a cab.

NeoPatrick

I'm curious why you are going to Port Authority. Surely you aren't staying in the bus station? When you arrive there, do you still need to get to a hotel? Adding a taxi from there to whatever you pay to get to Port Authority, might cancel out any advantage of transportation other than a taxi.

magnumholmes

The apartment which we have the opportunity to rent for a good price is at 44th and 9th avenue. I just used the Port Authority as a place that's near there.

It's just something we're thinking about right now. I know good deals are hard to come by in the Big Apple, but we must wait and see if something else pans out first.

We aren't afraid of walking. That's not a problem. Navigating public transportation seems to be the fly in the ointment. Out of all of the trips we have made, we have very few encounters with it, and they've not turned out very good.

You all always seem like doing something like that is a piece of cake. But when you live in the Midwest and are not subjected to public transportation every day, would you feel the same way? How did you guys navigate it for the first time? It certainly looks like it could be a daunting task.

nyer

magnumholmes,I recall from previous posts as well as what you just mentioned here that you do not feel comfortable with public transportation. Not everyone who answers your questions may have seen your other posts so do not know what criteria you consider the most important.

Well, in this case, I think most people are recommending that you take a taxi (and I agree), NOT "public transportation" As several people have mentioned, taking public buses (as opposed to special "airport buses") from LGA is a tedious process.

The problem is the you also asked for the most economical.
It's fair to say that in general to/from NYC airports (and in my travels this holds true in lots of places) cheapest, easiest, and fastest are generally not all the same routes!
Cheap is one thing, time saving and easiest another.

Take a cab (or one of the recommended car services that you call from the airport)to / from LGA to the airport.

nytraveler

Navigating buses and subways is not the problem - that's easy with a map and a little planning.

The problem with taking it in from LGA is that it will take 2 to 3 times as long as a cab and you will be doing it with luggage (up and down stairs, long passageways and tains/buses that may already have a bunch of people standing when you get on).

magnumholmes

OK. I get the point.

Take a cab.

Thanks for the replies.

Sorry if I wasn't as forthright with our troubles with public transportation before. Will try to map it out better in the future.

travelbuff

If you want to try the bus/subway, here is the easiest way to get to where you are going.

1.At LaGuardia, look for the #60 bus which will say Manhattan on the front or ask the driver. Have $2.00 in change or ask at the airport where you can buy a metrocard. Tell the driver you are getting off at 110th St. If you bought a Metrocard at the airport and used it when you get on the bus, you get a free transfer to the subway....see next........

2. At 110th St. take the subway (right in front of the Rite-Aid pharmacy) to 42nd St (Times Square).

3. Follow signs for the exit which will bring you up into Times Square. Look for the McDonald's on W 42nd St and head that way to Port Authority and one block further is 9th Ave.

Hope this helps.