Best way to get from LaGuardia to Grand Central?
Apr 3rd, 2013, 05:56 AM
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Best way to get from LaGuardia to Grand Central?
Hi Folks:
Wife and teen daughter are flying into LaGuardia during daylight hours. They need a safe reliable mode of transport from airport to Grand Central Station where they will catch an MNR train to New Haven, CT. They will have luggage, so they are not interested in city bus. Time is tight, so a shuttle that makes multiple stops won't work either. What do you experts recommend for that leg, and its reverse a few days later? Approximate cost each way, and, does that mode take credit cards for fare?
As always, thanks.
Wife and teen daughter are flying into LaGuardia during daylight hours. They need a safe reliable mode of transport from airport to Grand Central Station where they will catch an MNR train to New Haven, CT. They will have luggage, so they are not interested in city bus. Time is tight, so a shuttle that makes multiple stops won't work either. What do you experts recommend for that leg, and its reverse a few days later? Approximate cost each way, and, does that mode take credit cards for fare?
As always, thanks.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 06:07 AM
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If time is that tight, then they should take a regular taxi, but the regular airport shuttles from LGA make limited stops and go straight to Grand Central, not adding appreciably to the cost. It costs about $16 each way to take the shuttle. You can book this in advance online and pay by credit card. On the way back, the office by Grand Central allows payment by credit card.
It would be a bit cheaper (might save them $10 or $12) to go that way. A taxi would cost about $35 to $40 with tolls and tip. All taxis take credit cards, and the toll and tip are incorporated into the final payment (you choose the tip amount, though). But nothing else makes sense in these circumstances.
It would be a bit cheaper (might save them $10 or $12) to go that way. A taxi would cost about $35 to $40 with tolls and tip. All taxis take credit cards, and the toll and tip are incorporated into the final payment (you choose the tip amount, though). But nothing else makes sense in these circumstances.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 07:20 AM
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They should purchase RT tickets for the shuttle -- The NYC Airporter - and they'll save a few $$ over purchasing one way tickets. The shuttles run every 30 minutes and there is a dispatcher at the arrivals terminal.
http://www.nycairporter.com/
They can purchase tickets online. RT fare from LGA to GC is $23 each.
http://www.nycairporter.com/
They can purchase tickets online. RT fare from LGA to GC is $23 each.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 07:25 AM
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P.S. You didn't say how tight their time is. But the only other option is a taxi.
The Airporter stops at a couple of terminals, but it's only a matter of a few minutes in between.
How much time do they have between arrival and train at GC?
The Airporter stops at a couple of terminals, but it's only a matter of a few minutes in between.
How much time do they have between arrival and train at GC?
Apr 3rd, 2013, 07:31 AM
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Doug and Panecott:
Thanks for the prompt, good advice. They have no time to waste on the return trip but a little to dawdle on the flight in. They will take cabs.
Should they direct the driver as to the route to follow (and, if so, what route?), or may they rely on the good judgment and honesty of the driver?
Thanks for the prompt, good advice. They have no time to waste on the return trip but a little to dawdle on the flight in. They will take cabs.
Should they direct the driver as to the route to follow (and, if so, what route?), or may they rely on the good judgment and honesty of the driver?
Apr 3rd, 2013, 07:44 AM
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Well, when I lived a few blocks from the 59th St. Bridge, I always told them to take the bridge b/c there's no toll and it was close to my apt.
Otherwise, the driver will take the Midtown Tunnel. And since they're going directly to GC, the Tunnel is the best route b/c it's close to GC.
They will have to pay the toll each way, and tip.
Otherwise, the driver will take the Midtown Tunnel. And since they're going directly to GC, the Tunnel is the best route b/c it's close to GC.
They will have to pay the toll each way, and tip.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 07:51 AM
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Panecott: Again, thanks. I don't get up to NYC much anymore, but daughter is making campus visits. My sister managed the old Marriott Essex House in late 1970's and early 80's. She advised always to offer routes to cab drivers, who sometimes, without the guidance, would get lost with the meter running when transporting tourists to the hotel.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 08:09 AM
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I don't think it helps you much to offer a route to the taxi driver if you don't know where you're going. But I do believe that most drivers are fairly honest. And more important, they want to get rid of you as quickly as possible so they can get another fare. That's particularly true for airport runs since they make more money typically just driving around Manhattan than driving in from the airport. Almost every light you stop at adds 50 cents to the trip, so you can easily imagine why they like to be in the heart of the city.
Apr 9th, 2013, 11:23 PM
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You can totally trust the cab driver, he knows what he is doing.
Besides the bus and the regular taxi, the one other thing is to reserve a car service car, who will come pick you up. This is the fastest as it involved no waiting. Bus is every 20 minutes, taxi can have a line or no line, you never know. It costs about the same as a taxi.
You probably need a working cell phone - they tell you to call them when you're ready to be picked up. They are already at the airport, they'll just come fetch you once you're ready to go.
The ones people use are either 212 777 7777 or 212 666 6666. One is Carmel, one is Haifa, and they have websites too. I use the one with the 6es, I forget why.
If you're going to look into these (I have used them hundreds of times), you could also Google "Carmel Car service promotion" or same for Haifa, they might have some kind of $5 off thing.
Besides the bus and the regular taxi, the one other thing is to reserve a car service car, who will come pick you up. This is the fastest as it involved no waiting. Bus is every 20 minutes, taxi can have a line or no line, you never know. It costs about the same as a taxi.
You probably need a working cell phone - they tell you to call them when you're ready to be picked up. They are already at the airport, they'll just come fetch you once you're ready to go.
The ones people use are either 212 777 7777 or 212 666 6666. One is Carmel, one is Haifa, and they have websites too. I use the one with the 6es, I forget why.
If you're going to look into these (I have used them hundreds of times), you could also Google "Carmel Car service promotion" or same for Haifa, they might have some kind of $5 off thing.
Apr 10th, 2013, 05:14 AM
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A car service doesn't usually save time at LGA. You have to wait too long for it to arrive, and you can generally get through the taxi line faster. It's also a zoo there and difficult to meet a driver.
