Cheapest way into Manhattan
Mar 28th, 2002, 05:22 AM
#1
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Cheapest way into Manhattan
Can anyone give me detailed instructions on the cheapest method to get into Manhattan from LaGuardia.
People say, "Oh, you take take a bus."
I do not want to arrive at LaGuardia without having explicit instructions.
I would DEEPLY appreciate your help!!!
People say, "Oh, you take take a bus."
I do not want to arrive at LaGuardia without having explicit instructions.
I would DEEPLY appreciate your help!!!
Mar 28th, 2002, 05:29 AM
#3
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The absolute cheapest way is to take the M60 bus into Manattan for $1.50. However, it is a regular city bus, with no extra room for luggage. There are some shuttle buses you can take for $10-15. I personally have only ever taken a cab. It is so fast, and as long as it isn't rush hour, it should only cost about $20. I once made the trip for only $15 including tip and toll. It all depends on where you are going--if you're heading way uptown, like Columbia U area, the bus isn't so bad, but I wouldn't take it if you are going downtown, as you will have to change for the subway or another bus once in the city.
Mar 28th, 2002, 05:38 AM
#5
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There are several bus lines that stop at the airport. A few, like the M60 head into Manhattan. That, would likely take quite some time.
I would suggest you take the number 48 bus to 39th St. in Corona Queens. It will drop you off next to the station for a number 7 train.
If you buy a Metrocard, the connection to the subway is free.
Personally, I'd just take one of airport shuttle buses for $15. (Its run by Olympia Trails.) However, if cost, and not time, is the issue, take the city bus to the subway.
I would suggest you take the number 48 bus to 39th St. in Corona Queens. It will drop you off next to the station for a number 7 train.
If you buy a Metrocard, the connection to the subway is free.
Personally, I'd just take one of airport shuttle buses for $15. (Its run by Olympia Trails.) However, if cost, and not time, is the issue, take the city bus to the subway.
Mar 28th, 2002, 05:43 AM
#6
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From Laguardia it's really easy to take the Carey shuttle, it's $12 or $15 and it drops you off at Grand Central or at Port Authority (or was that Penn Station?). The shuttle buses run about every 20 mins or so and you get them outside of the arrivals gate...just stand outside and look for the Carey shuttle with NYC on the ticker. A ticket agent will be there to direct you (you pay him or her, cash only). Taking a city bus $1.50 is really a hassle -- round-about route into the city, and you have to make a subway connection. Good luck. Enjoy NYC!
Mar 28th, 2002, 05:46 AM
#7
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If I am understanding correctly, the bus is cheap, but a hassle.
The shuttle is 15.00 or so...
The cab is 30.00 or so...
If there are 2 of us, would you recommend the cab afterall.
We would be spending 30.00 on a shuttle anyway, right?
Does anyone out think the bus is worth the hassle?
Thanks for your patience and sharing your knowledge.
The shuttle is 15.00 or so...
The cab is 30.00 or so...
If there are 2 of us, would you recommend the cab afterall.
We would be spending 30.00 on a shuttle anyway, right?
Does anyone out think the bus is worth the hassle?
Thanks for your patience and sharing your knowledge.
Mar 28th, 2002, 06:02 AM
#10
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Hey Budget Traveler, we had the same question when we went in mid-Feb. While we immediately ruled out public transit cuz of the time and hassle, we were unsure of whether to cab it or shuttle it. Taking the excellent advice of NY'ing Fodorites, we cabbed it.
If you're really budget conscious and aren't travelling with a lot of luggage, you can call out and see if anyone wants to share a cab in. You might catch a single. We didn't know
"you could do this", but a single called out for "Times Square" when it was her turn for a cab. Since it was a long line, and the NY'er behind us told us "it was okay", we went for it. Here's the bit I wrote in our trip review on LGA to Manhattan transportation:
LaGuardia to Manhattan: just cab it. We split a cab going in with someone else; total of $27 including tip. Tip: have someone wait in the taxi queue while the other goes and gets the luggage off the carousel. The taxi queue was very long, we waited 10 minutes and probably had another 20 minute wait left if someone hadn’t called out to share a cab.
Manhattan to LaGuardia: most convenient to cab it, and would have cost us the same as SuperShuttle. However, make sure you count your change! The cabbie gave us $4 back for a $24 fare. When my husband sheepishly asked if he’d giving the fellow $40, the cabbie indignantly replied, “Yeah, so how much you want back?!” Well, we certainly weren’t planning to give him a $12 tip on a $24 fare, especially since there was only one piece of luggage between the two of us!
Have a great trip!!
If you're really budget conscious and aren't travelling with a lot of luggage, you can call out and see if anyone wants to share a cab in. You might catch a single. We didn't know
"you could do this", but a single called out for "Times Square" when it was her turn for a cab. Since it was a long line, and the NY'er behind us told us "it was okay", we went for it. Here's the bit I wrote in our trip review on LGA to Manhattan transportation:
LaGuardia to Manhattan: just cab it. We split a cab going in with someone else; total of $27 including tip. Tip: have someone wait in the taxi queue while the other goes and gets the luggage off the carousel. The taxi queue was very long, we waited 10 minutes and probably had another 20 minute wait left if someone hadn’t called out to share a cab.
Manhattan to LaGuardia: most convenient to cab it, and would have cost us the same as SuperShuttle. However, make sure you count your change! The cabbie gave us $4 back for a $24 fare. When my husband sheepishly asked if he’d giving the fellow $40, the cabbie indignantly replied, “Yeah, so how much you want back?!” Well, we certainly weren’t planning to give him a $12 tip on a $24 fare, especially since there was only one piece of luggage between the two of us!
Have a great trip!!
Mar 28th, 2002, 06:10 AM
#11
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When you get to the ground floor at LaGuardia, follow the signs that say Ground Transportation or some might say Public Transportation.
There are two ways to go:
M60 bus will take you into Manhattan via 125th Street. Going along 125th Street, you can transfer to any of the following subway lines
4,5,6 Lexington Avenue
2,3 Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave)
A,B,C,D at St. Nicholas Ave.
This bus is always crowded with airport workers and travelers and it gets extremely crowded.
You can also take one of the Queens buses Q33 or Q48 to the #7 subway line. (Ask the driver to tell you when you are near the #7 train). Take the #7 train into Manhattan (it stops at Grand Central, 5th Ave/42nd Street and Times Square). This trip takes a bit longer but is a less crowded option.
NYC has never made it easy on tourists. To get on the bus you will need $1.50 (coins only). You may want to ask at one of the newsstands in the airport if they have the $4 Metrocard which is for unlimited riding. Once you get to a subway station you can use a vending machine to buy the $4 daily card or the $17 weekly card.
There are two ways to go:
M60 bus will take you into Manhattan via 125th Street. Going along 125th Street, you can transfer to any of the following subway lines
4,5,6 Lexington Avenue
2,3 Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave)
A,B,C,D at St. Nicholas Ave.
This bus is always crowded with airport workers and travelers and it gets extremely crowded.
You can also take one of the Queens buses Q33 or Q48 to the #7 subway line. (Ask the driver to tell you when you are near the #7 train). Take the #7 train into Manhattan (it stops at Grand Central, 5th Ave/42nd Street and Times Square). This trip takes a bit longer but is a less crowded option.
NYC has never made it easy on tourists. To get on the bus you will need $1.50 (coins only). You may want to ask at one of the newsstands in the airport if they have the $4 Metrocard which is for unlimited riding. Once you get to a subway station you can use a vending machine to buy the $4 daily card or the $17 weekly card.
Mar 28th, 2002, 06:37 AM
#13
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If I am understanding correctly, the bus is cheap, but a hassle.
The shuttle is 15.00 or so...
The cab is 30.00 or so...
If there are 2 of us, would you recommend the cab afterall.
We would be spending 30.00 on a shuttle anyway, right?
Does anyone out think the bus is worth the hassle?
Thanks for your patience and sharing your knowledge.
The shuttle is 15.00 or so...
The cab is 30.00 or so...
If there are 2 of us, would you recommend the cab afterall.
We would be spending 30.00 on a shuttle anyway, right?
Does anyone out think the bus is worth the hassle?
Thanks for your patience and sharing your knowledge.
Mar 28th, 2002, 06:53 AM
#14
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I, personally, would not take a bus but I can be specific as to how long the trip will take. Having nothing better to do one day I decided to find out how long it would take by bus/subway combination from
Times Square station to LGA. Going took the #7 and then the Q33 - trip took 55 minutes. Returning took the M60 and then the #2 at 125th St. = trip took just about 60 minutes. Going there were a number of people with luggage; only two people returning had luggage and a few had backpacks.
Times Square station to LGA. Going took the #7 and then the Q33 - trip took 55 minutes. Returning took the M60 and then the #2 at 125th St. = trip took just about 60 minutes. Going there were a number of people with luggage; only two people returning had luggage and a few had backpacks.
Mar 28th, 2002, 07:09 AM
#16
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Budget Traveler:
I go to NYC quite often (into JFK, though) and I strongly suggest using a cab. It's quicker and easier.
Just go to the cab stand outside the airport and you'll be in the city in no time, without the hassle of the bus stopping constantly.
This is especially true if you said there are two of you traveling together and the cost would be the same as the bus.
Have fun. I'll be there myself in another week or so.
I go to NYC quite often (into JFK, though) and I strongly suggest using a cab. It's quicker and easier.
Just go to the cab stand outside the airport and you'll be in the city in no time, without the hassle of the bus stopping constantly.
This is especially true if you said there are two of you traveling together and the cost would be the same as the bus.
Have fun. I'll be there myself in another week or so.
Mar 28th, 2002, 07:13 AM
#17
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I have take the bus (but heading towards the airport: 7 train to the Q bus (i forget which one)). However, my trip was starting AT grand central (where the 7 train is located), so this was a viable option for me.
If budget is a concern, i'd do it again. It was more of a hassle than taking a cab, but nothing major (but then again, i don't mind mass transit). I forget how long the trip took, but i'm gonna say about 1 hour. I'd do it again, but NEVER during rush hour, as having your luggage on the subway during rush hour CAN be a hassle, not to mention the city traffic while on the bus.
HOWEVER, if you don't get a metrocard (either before you arrive or at the newstand) the trip will cost you $3 because you won't be eligible for the free transfer from the bus to the subway, and therefore have to pay $1.50 for the bus and and add'l $1.50 for the train.
If budget is a concern, i'd do it again. It was more of a hassle than taking a cab, but nothing major (but then again, i don't mind mass transit). I forget how long the trip took, but i'm gonna say about 1 hour. I'd do it again, but NEVER during rush hour, as having your luggage on the subway during rush hour CAN be a hassle, not to mention the city traffic while on the bus.
HOWEVER, if you don't get a metrocard (either before you arrive or at the newstand) the trip will cost you $3 because you won't be eligible for the free transfer from the bus to the subway, and therefore have to pay $1.50 for the bus and and add'l $1.50 for the train.
Mar 28th, 2002, 02:52 PM
#19
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Since you, like me, are a budget traveler, take ANYTHING but a cab.
Join the "MetroCard Mayor" in using public transportation!
If you take the airport shuttle bus ($10 1-way, $17 round trip) http://www.nyairportservice.com/ you'll have the least details to worry about. BTW, it's no longer "Carey", but if you go to the website, you can see what the bus looks like. Reasonably fast, and ontime.
I take the public bus (M60) and subway (#5) to GCT, or just M60 to 125st MetroNorth train. Purchase a Metrocard at the Hudson News shop in the baggage claim area, or have $1.50 change (no bills) ready for the bus. I have never taken them at peak hours tho.
If you're staying at HI/AYH, take the M60 right to the end of the route at Broadway/106th, and walk 3 block S, 1 block E to the hostel.
I have some other comments I'll make "offline" if you write me. There is no X in my e-ddress.
Join the "MetroCard Mayor" in using public transportation!
If you take the airport shuttle bus ($10 1-way, $17 round trip) http://www.nyairportservice.com/ you'll have the least details to worry about. BTW, it's no longer "Carey", but if you go to the website, you can see what the bus looks like. Reasonably fast, and ontime.
I take the public bus (M60) and subway (#5) to GCT, or just M60 to 125st MetroNorth train. Purchase a Metrocard at the Hudson News shop in the baggage claim area, or have $1.50 change (no bills) ready for the bus. I have never taken them at peak hours tho.
If you're staying at HI/AYH, take the M60 right to the end of the route at Broadway/106th, and walk 3 block S, 1 block E to the hostel.
I have some other comments I'll make "offline" if you write me. There is no X in my e-ddress.
Mar 29th, 2002, 06:28 AM
#20
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For $20 per person you can get to New York's Penn Station. Amtrak now has a direct connection into the airport. Frequencies range between every 3 to 20 minutes. Check it out at www.amtrak.com and use Newark (NWK) as your departure station.
