Sister is flying to NYC tonight for a conference and a couple leisure days. From research it seems that a cab is her best bet from LaGuardia to her hotel, which is the Flatotel at 135 West 52nd Street. Sis is traveling with her husband.

Can someone estimate the cab fare?

Thanks!

Somewhere around $35, depending on traffic (you don;t say when she'll arrive - at rush hour traffic can run up fare). There is a bridge toll of $4.50 (depending on which bridge the cabbie uses) and the tip should be around 20% of meter - not including toll.

Thanks! Their flight arrives after 8pm. I'll pass on your info.

The Flatotel looks swanky. I'm jealous.

Another option is a car service,

www.dial7.com

She can pay with credit card (which may be convenient if she's expensing it).

Gekko - Am I reading it right that a car from Dial 7 from LGA to most of Manhattan (or the other direction) is only $31 total (plus tolls and tip, of course) for up to 4 people?

That seems like a great deal, since cab would expect to be $25-$35, but could be more if there's traffic. I'm assuming one wouldn't have to wait long at the airport to be picked up, and that you could schedule a time to be picked up at your hotel for the return trip, is that correct?

Thanks!

Love that hotel!! We stayed there a year ago. After the first morning, the staff checking us in to breakfast knew who we were. The room was very large, and beautiful--if you like contemporary, which we do. Nice bar in the lobby.

Yes - car services are priced to match - approximately - cab fare. They're often a better choice when going out to the airport - since you can schedule an appointment and don;t have to search for a cab dragging your luggage (when you live in the city or cabs are scarce due to traffic or bad weather).

I prefer cab into the city - since you just get on line and leave. With car service you have to call them after you land, wait for them (usually not too long - but not guaranteed). And if you pick a time in advance they charge waiting time if your plane is late.

Also - these are car services (sedans several years old) not limos.

That's a good idea about a car service for going BACK to the airport (can't your hotel just call you a cab though?)?

What's the approx. cost for a cab from LaGuardia to the upper west side (W 81st street)?

nytraveler - I'm considering a cab from the airport as well, as my plane lands at 8am and I'm concerned about taxi fare skyrocketing due to rush hour traffic. How much would one reasonably expect taxi fares to increase at that time?

I've taken cabs from LGA into Manhattan at that time in the morning a few times and don't remember the fare being much more than usual though the ride is a lot longer. The meters seem to be driven much more by mileage than by time waiting.

The problem I have with cabs this time of the morning is that on hot, sunny days, the sun shines in the back of the cab most of the way and I've yet to find a cab whose A/C is worth a damn. And dressed in a suit, this is a very long, hot ride.

I don't know if a car service would have better A/C, but it very well could.

Took taxis LGA-6th Ave/57th St 25 Apr and rt 30 Apr (tunnel coming and 59th St bridge leaving) for about $30. each way incl tip.
Only traffic was exiting the tunnel x and up town arriving.
M

From the airport to Manhattan, I reserve a car service only when I fear the taxi line will be long (rush hours & holidays). If I'm arriving LGA at 2pm, I usually just jump in a cab.

Going TO the airport, 99% of the time I reserve a car service.

And Yes, the Dial 7 price is the same or less than a taxi.

It could easily add $5 to the trip. If traffic is horrendous - and this varies by day and weather it could be more. But the cabbie should know the fastest way based on that day's traffic.