Which airport or does it matter?
Dec 23rd, 2001, 07:26 PM
#1
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Which airport or does it matter?
Planning a trip to NY in April. Plan to stay in Midtown, probably at The Belvedere. I can fly into LaGuardia or Newark for the same price. Is one better than the other as far as getting to and from or closer to my hotel?
Or does it really make a difference/
Or does it really make a difference/
Dec 24th, 2001, 03:30 AM
#2
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If it is your intent to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel LGA would be less expensive by at least $15. There is a new train connection from EWR to Penn Station and cost is $11.15 a person. The actual train trip takes 20 minutes and a cab from Penn Station (33rd St) to the Belvedere (49th St) would cost less than $6. Airport bus to Port Authority (42nd and 8th) would be faster from EWR than from LGA. Cost is about the same from EWR and LGA (around $12). A taxi from the PA to the hotel would be less than $5. LGA is closer to the hotel but that factor need not be considered unless you decide on a taxi.
Dec 25th, 2001, 03:52 AM
#5
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Well, Ted, it's also a no brainer for me. I fly Newark every time! Your chances of an on-time flight at LaGuardia are much less than at any other U.S. airport. I fly Continental into EWR and am almost always on time. Hop the train to Penn Station and you're in the city in 20 minutes.
Dec 25th, 2001, 05:34 PM
#11
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I have nearly always flown in and out of LaGuardia. Each time I say it may be my last. Last time as we were sitting on the runway in Miami waiting and waiting to take off, finally the pilot announced that were delayed in taking off from Miami until they could get a confirmed landing at LaGuardia. Seems that there are far more flights booked there than can possibly land and take off. Each flight arriving has to wait to confirm that they can indeed land, seldom anything to do with the original schedule. This was on a great weather day when they were virtually no regular delays across the country. Seems that was the problem. They actually rely on cancelled flights to LaGuardia to allow most of the scheduled ones to come it at all. If there are no cancelled flights that day, there are simply too many planes to give out landing times.
Another time we arrived at LaGuardia for our departing flight just as they closed the entire airport down. Again the weather seemed fine, but they said there was a cross wind problem and no flights would be taking off or landing. We had to rebook from Kennedy and do ground transportation there. Kennedy and Newark apparently will often remain open when LaGuardia is closed.
But I must admit, a taxi into midtown Manhattan from LaGuardia seems the easiest, quickest, and cheapest connection.
Another time we arrived at LaGuardia for our departing flight just as they closed the entire airport down. Again the weather seemed fine, but they said there was a cross wind problem and no flights would be taking off or landing. We had to rebook from Kennedy and do ground transportation there. Kennedy and Newark apparently will often remain open when LaGuardia is closed.
But I must admit, a taxi into midtown Manhattan from LaGuardia seems the easiest, quickest, and cheapest connection.
Dec 25th, 2001, 08:17 PM
#12
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John - it may be that you were just lucky. Although LGA is techincally closer to the city and under ideal traffic conditions it's faster to get into town from, traffic conditions are unprectable whereas the new trains service from EWR is consistent. IMHO more important is the on-time record for flight arrivals and departures. EWR does pretty well, especially Continental. LGA , if I recall correctly, has the worst on-time record of any major US airport.
Dec 25th, 2001, 09:00 PM
#13
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Newark to midtown or points north is a major hassle and a waste of time. Take a train to Penn Station? Then what? Penn Station is a nightmare. Transfer to a cab or subway? At least an hour from EWR to midtown.
LGA is the way to go. And, since 9/11, most flights are ON TIME.
Newark? Sheesh.
LGA is the way to go. And, since 9/11, most flights are ON TIME.
Newark? Sheesh.
Dec 26th, 2001, 07:13 AM
#16
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Yikes, it looks like the New Jersey Board of Tourism in on the case.
I've been flying in & out of LGA since 2 weeks after 9/11 and it has improved dramatically. I have not been late even once since then, including last Friday when crowds were small despite the holiday traffic. My plane departed 10 minutes early.
I very rarely fly out of EWR, primarily because it's a major hassle from my Upper East home and midtown office -- and I can afford to use LGA.
Sue indicated that she intends to stay in midtown and the ticket prices are the same. Does anyone who has experience with both airports really believe she should fly into EWR?? No way.
Now, if she was staying in Hoboken . . . .
I've been flying in & out of LGA since 2 weeks after 9/11 and it has improved dramatically. I have not been late even once since then, including last Friday when crowds were small despite the holiday traffic. My plane departed 10 minutes early.
I very rarely fly out of EWR, primarily because it's a major hassle from my Upper East home and midtown office -- and I can afford to use LGA.
Sue indicated that she intends to stay in midtown and the ticket prices are the same. Does anyone who has experience with both airports really believe she should fly into EWR?? No way.
Now, if she was staying in Hoboken . . . .
Dec 26th, 2001, 08:25 AM
#18
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As a NJ resident who is a born and bred New Yorker, I hope I can be impartial! I have no vested interest in either answer so I will try and give only the facts, as I know them.
In terms of traffic into Manhattan, from either airport it is a crapshoot. A car can breakdown as easily on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens as one can on Route 495 into the Lincoln Tunnel in NJ. IF you arrive in the middle of rush hour, it will not be great from either airport. Essentially, it is really just luck of the draw that day.
The cost of a Taxi will probably be cheaper from LaGuardia. However, the airport buses from either will be about the same.
I'd give Newark an edge if you decide to take public transportation. You can now take a train from Penn Station to just West of the airport and connect with the airport tram.
With the decline in scheduled flights since 9/11, the air traffic situation at both airports has improved. Newark was awful, LaGuardia was even worse. If the weather is bad, Newark may have a slight edge as it has more runways.
Not to confue you, but there really is no right answer. As you can tell from the various responses, it is maybe just a matter of personal preference.
Another way to look at it is the flight itself. Does one airport provide more alternative options in case your flight is delayed or cancelled?
Anyway, enjoy NY once you arrive.
In terms of traffic into Manhattan, from either airport it is a crapshoot. A car can breakdown as easily on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens as one can on Route 495 into the Lincoln Tunnel in NJ. IF you arrive in the middle of rush hour, it will not be great from either airport. Essentially, it is really just luck of the draw that day.
The cost of a Taxi will probably be cheaper from LaGuardia. However, the airport buses from either will be about the same.
I'd give Newark an edge if you decide to take public transportation. You can now take a train from Penn Station to just West of the airport and connect with the airport tram.
With the decline in scheduled flights since 9/11, the air traffic situation at both airports has improved. Newark was awful, LaGuardia was even worse. If the weather is bad, Newark may have a slight edge as it has more runways.
Not to confue you, but there really is no right answer. As you can tell from the various responses, it is maybe just a matter of personal preference.
Another way to look at it is the flight itself. Does one airport provide more alternative options in case your flight is delayed or cancelled?
Anyway, enjoy NY once you arrive.
Dec 26th, 2001, 09:08 AM
#19
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Don't sweat it too much, it doesn't really matter. Personally I'd vote for EWR if it's you and a friend, LGA if it's a group. (EWR is the much nicer airport of the 2.) From EWR you have more options to get to Manhattan -- the new train service, Olympia Trails bus service (see www.olympiabus.com) or taxi/Super Shuttle. At LGA a taxi is most practical, but there's always the dreaded bus/subway combo that features a long ride on the #7 subway line and a lot of luggage lugging up and down stairs.
How many people will be travelling together? For sake of cost efficiency (and convenience), lets put it this way -- the Olympia Trails bus from EWR is $11.95 one way per person, so the more people in your group the more cost efficient it would be to fly into LGA instead, taking a taxi and splitting the cost.
Whichever you decide, your travel time will be about the same from either airport depending on the time of day you come in. From LGA you'll come in from the north or east, and since you'll most likely be in a cab you'll be delivered direct to your door. From EWR you'll come in from the west and will most likely end up at Port Authority Bus Terminal, where you can pick up a cab out front on 8th Avenue.
It's totally a tossup.
How many people will be travelling together? For sake of cost efficiency (and convenience), lets put it this way -- the Olympia Trails bus from EWR is $11.95 one way per person, so the more people in your group the more cost efficient it would be to fly into LGA instead, taking a taxi and splitting the cost.
Whichever you decide, your travel time will be about the same from either airport depending on the time of day you come in. From LGA you'll come in from the north or east, and since you'll most likely be in a cab you'll be delivered direct to your door. From EWR you'll come in from the west and will most likely end up at Port Authority Bus Terminal, where you can pick up a cab out front on 8th Avenue.
It's totally a tossup.
