Arriving by a local flight to LGA at 5 pm and have to catch an international flight at 8:30 pm.

Will this time of 5 pm on LGA workout? Do you suggest I arrive there earlier than 5 pm?

I would love your valuable suggestions and advise.

Thank you very much.

I think you definitely need more time - for several reasons:

For many international flights the airline asks you to arrive 3 hours in advance

Although the distance from LGA to JFK is short at rush hour it can easily take 45 minutes to get there - more if heavy traffic, bad weather, accident or construction (and they are doing construction along that route)

Assuming you have checked luggage you need to allow yourself 45 minutes from wheels down to having your luggage out in the street - to get on the cab line. (There is a shuttle bus but it circles the terminals at both airports - so easily an take twice as long as a ab).

What time will you actually land? LGA has a very high percentage of flights landing late - especially in the late afternoon. (Have you checked the on time record of your incoming flight?)

And - I assume these are 2 different tickets - so if you don't make your international connection you are considered a no show - and will have to buy a new ticket at the walk up price.

So a couple of questions?

What time of year - are there likely to be weather delays?

What is the on time recrod of the incoming flight?

Will you have luggage to pick up off the LGA flight and check at JFK?

If it were me - I would get a flight into JFK versus LGA. If yuo must fly into LGA I would want to arrive at least 1.5 hours early.

Don't misunderstand me - you might make it. But are you willing to risk having to buy a new international ticket?

You need five hours minimum for LGA to JFK transfer for an international flight. That's 3 hours for the international check-in, 45-60 minutes to get off the plane and retrieve your bags at LGA (which can take a LONG time), and at least an hour to get from LGA to JFK. Likelihood is you will NOT make it with three hours to spare.

It sounds like you have an option to arrive on an earlier flight to LGA. If so, do it.

What is the cutoff time for your international flight. That's the time you need to be aware of.

Personally I would be fine with 3.5hrs transfer time. Your risk tolerance may be higher or lower than mine.

I have my international flight on the 1st week of Dec. I am aware of the weather conditions that might affect all my schedule.

I do have options to arrive earlier but wanted to hear all your suggestions.

My flight to LGA has a stopover at Chicago and because it will b 1st week of Dec, I am unlikely to take the risk and get caught in bad weather somewhere along the route. As others have pointed out, I would have to risk buying another ticket if I get caught somewhere,

My other plan is to drive 12 hours and arrive there 1 day earlier.

Thanks for all your comments and thoughtful suggestions.

If you already have to make stopovers on the way to LGA in Dec this is really risky. Why not fly directly into JFK - as long as you are already making a domestic change - it will give you several more hours to play with.

I am not clear on why you would not just fly domestically into JFk.
A twelve hour drive could be a nightmare that time of year. Where are you starting from?

Your plan is too risky. Either fly into JFK and have the international flight on the same ticket, or arrive in NYC a LOT earlier. Traffic tie-ups can add an hour to the time from anywhere to anywhere in NYC. Planes can easily be late getting into LGA, which has an awful on time record. No one can tell you how long it will take to get your bags, if checked, so, in any case, I would fly carry-on only if you stick to the LGA to JFK transfer.