Airport to Manhattan
 

Someone told me of "black car" that is the best and cheapest way to get from LGA to Manhattan. Is anyone familiar with this? If not what IS the quickest and best transportation to and from? Thanks!

Are there at least two of you? If so, I can't imagine a better and cheaper way than simply taking a taxi, unless you have a friend who is willing to pick you up. We once took the "shuttle" thinking we were going to save money. Nearly three hours later we arrived at our hotel. We had to change busses at Grand Central and the one we were put on stopped in four other hotels before arriving at ours. There was traffic gridlock. Although we arrived in New York about 3:00 we actually thought we were going to miss our evening show. And the two tickets cost just about as much as the taxi would have been. I'm not sure about this "black car" deal -- what would you save? A dollar or two?

What they are probably referring to is the "non-yellow cabs", more officially called a livery service. These are dispatched "cabs" that usually end up at the airport as a result of dropping somebody off there (that somebody called a "taxi" by telephone had made an appointment to get picked up at a specific time... just as you would in any city in which you couldn't easily hail a cab). <BR> <BR>Since they're at the airport already and don't want to drive back to their area without a fare, they'll often try to find a passenger at the baggage areas. This is actually illegal (although widely done) as yellow cabs are the only one's able to pick up fares at the airport (without prior arrangements made with a specific passenger). <BR> <BR>I would recommend just taking a yellow cab... as there are some horror stories out there about non-yellow cabs (also called "gypsy cabs") asking for an entirely different rate than the one agreed upon once you've arrived at your location (and just try getting your luggage back if you don't pay the amount they want)

Thanks for the info. Cab it is then. Any idea of the rate? We are staying somewhere around Central Park.

It was 30 dollars plus tip and bridge charge from LGA to my 12th st. Apartment <BR>I never take the livery cabs either. Apart from not being as safe as yellow cabs they are robbing business from guys that pay a hefty fee to operate those cabs. <BR> <BR>If you did want take the buses that come in Acedemy the trick is to take them to grand central and then hop your own cab to your hotel. Same with the return not hotel pick up just go to Grand Central. The company will even tell you this if ask. I have used the buses regularly with no problem. The luxary of door to door service with a cab is nice though. Also if your plane gets in late it is nice to just hop that cab instead of waiting for the bus.

I live about 4 blocks south of Central Park and it usually costs me $22-25 (plus tip) to get to or from La Guardia by cab. For some reason, the trip going into the city always seem to be a few dollars less than leaving.