You've all helped me with this before but I just want to go over 'my notes' and run this by those who've 'been there, done that' one more time.

Briefly, we (me,the mom, a senior) and my daughter (military member) will be arriving at LaGuardia on February 6 at 2:30pm..hopefully.
For those who said "just get a cab" I'm tending to agree. However, 'daughter' is not convinced. So before I make a Kathy Bates-type stand, please help me sort out the following.

Some of you and HOPSTOP recommend the M60 bus to the Astoria Blvd subway station and the N train to midtown. I've also seen mentioned just staying on the M60 bus to 125th on the westside and taking the train from there. Yes? No?

My 'notes' also suggest taking the Q33 bus to the 74th St/Roosevelt Ave subway station and the train from there to midtown. Yes? No?

As in the past, I appreciate all the advice I can get!

Otherwise, our 3 day stay is pretty much mapped out. I did get tickets for 2 shows (I'm glad I got them for Wicked as most tickets look to be soldout but I could've/should've held off on Legally Blonde as, weeks later, tickets right next to those I got are for sale...oh, well) and we've got a rental car lined up for a nostalgic Bronx tour on the 7th (if any of you have a prayer list, please add us for that day!!) and then a Party Shuttle tour for another day. I also have a list of eateries a mile long that have been mentioned on this board... half of them being pizzarias!!

Well, everyone, thanks again!

Do not take public transporation to midtown unless you're truly destitute, have no luggage, and have hours to waste.

"Just get a cab" is probably the best advice, unless you'd prefer a car service for about the same price.

www.dial7.com

I should add, 90% of the time I take a cab from LGA to Manhattan.

I reserve a car only when I'm arriving at a peak hour or during the holidays and I fear the cab line will be very long. I've waited 30 minutes in the taxi line ... I'd rather wait 5-10 minutes for my Dial 7 car.

On 2/6 at 2:30, the cab line shouldn't be bad.

I absolutely agree with Gekko - don't take public transportation - it's not worth the time and aggravation. The other option is Super Shuttle which is $16 pp - but you could possibly be the last drop off - so for a few dollars more, take a cab! You shouldn't need a prayer for the Bronx - where will you be? You could also see the Bronx Zoo, the Botanic Gardens or walk around and have lunch around Arthur Avenue (like Little Italy.)

With three people in her party, the horribly reviewed "super" shuttle is not an option ... it would cost considerably more than a cab or car service.

That's what 'a few dollars more' meant - SS is not worth it.

Super shuttle for 3 would be $48 without tip ... MORE than a taxi ... much more than a "few dollars more," in fact.

Are we speaking the same language? I read that 'two' of them would be $32, so for a few dollars more, take the cab, make life easy and go directly to their destination. Smile!

Take a cab. $30 for three people door-to-door is a no brainer, especially with a senior-you'd be mad to take twice as long and lug your stuff up and down stairs.

BTW, if the hesitation about a cab is related to fear of how to "hail" one, fear not. Ignore the random people wandering the arrivals area offering a ride, and head to the official airport cab stand. You'll get in a short line and an airport employee will put you in a cab after asking how many and where, then hand you a brochure detailing the rates and your rights. Easy, cheesy, safe.

Its two people- esd "the mom" and her adult daughter.

I'd take a cab from LGA, even by myself. But if you have enough time, like the idea of sitting back, people/city watching, and want to save some money, the bus/subway combo works fine.

I think we're getting confused about the number of people--I read it as 2 :
"we (me,the mom, a senior) and my daughter (military member)"
I think me/the mom/ a senior are all one and the same.

You don't mention where in Manhattan you are going (somewhere in midtown) but I too agree that that for 2 adults (including a senior)with a decent anount of luggage (more than one handbag), taking a cab is easy and worth it.

I do respectfully disagree with Gekko who keeps saying that taking the bus/train is for the "truly destitute"! Sometimes, we all have things we'd like to save a little money on. Some of us will save $20 on transportation, some of us will stay in cheaper hotels, some of us will eat mostly fast food-- all
in order to be able to spend a little more on the things we choose to spend it on.
In this case, I would recommend spending the money on the cab.

Thanks! There's actually just two of us but, looking at how I worded it, it does look like we're 3. Sorry, although I'm sure your replies would be the same.

As for luggage, I'm traveling very light and hopefully she will, too.
I've given her lot's of 'motherly' advise like "after all, it's only 3 nights, and 2 full days", "what if your checked bags get lost", "we can head straight for the exit" etc. etc. so we'll see. I agree that more than one small bag would make anything but a cab -or a car- impossible. Which it may be anyway!!

We are going to the Bruckner Blvd/Sounview Ave area. Yes, I'd like to go to the zoo or the gardens as I have fond memories of both places. I hope the weather co-operates.

I agree that more than one small bag would make anything but a cab -or a car- impossible.

There's your answer -- take an extra bag

Agree that cab is the only thing that makes sense for 3 people - esp with one being a senior.

Shuttle bus makes no sense since it would cost more.

Public transit is fine for a college student with one small carry-on and unlimited time. Otherwise public transit will take you probably an hour and a half to get to midtown - and you will have to deal with luggage on stairs, long passageways and probably crowded subway cars or buses with no room for it. (These are commuter buses/subways - not just for getting to the airport - and can be standing room only the whole way.)

But nytraveler, esd has explained that there are only TWO people -- not that that makes a lot of difference. "(me, the mom, a senior)" is one person and "my daughter (military member)" is the other.

esd, you are staying on west 46th street, arriving on a Wednesday afternoon. If you take a cab you will hit the beginning of rush hour, and that could drive up the cost, but it should still be under $40 for the 2 of you.

If you really want to take the bus to subway, you can do it if you have just hand luggage, but these are regular city buses. It will take more than an hour no matter which way you look at it.

If you want to take an airport shuttle, then you need to take NY Airport Service to the Port Authority. From there, it's 1 long avenue and 4 shorter blocks to your hotel (it's possible to walk, though it would take 15 minutes). If you take a cab, that's going to add on at least $7, so you are talking $11 x 2 plus $7 for a total of $29. You could take public transit, but it will NOT save you that much walking.

Please, I beg you do not take Super Shuttle, which is incredibly bad and unreliable in NYC.

Only you can decide if the potential of paying $11 more is worth the cost. It will take twice as long by public transit as by cab.

I'm a real advocate of using public transit, but I live on the east side, near the 6 train, so it's very convenient for me and usually takes less than 45 minutes from La Guardia. Not sure I'd ever exercise that option if it took more than an hour.

FYI: Your hotel is relatively close to three subway stops: 49th Street stop on the N/R/W; 50th St. on the 1; or 50th St. on the E/C. Avoid Times Square subway if at all possible because the crowds are too much.

I'm not sure how Doug knows exactly where you're going, but if you're going to west 46th on a Wed. afternoon, I would either take the Express bus to Bryant Park (42 & 6th ave.) or Port Authority (42 & 8th ave.) whichever is closer; for $12/person to save the peace
http://www.nyairportservice.com/fares.html

OR I would order a car service for a fixed price so you don't get stuck with a $45 taxi fare if there's a lot of traffic.

dial7.com for car service

I would NOT bother with a bus to the train or worse, the bus all the way unless you don't value your time very much.

The only reason I know is that esd posted the name of the hotel in another post. I think the Port Authority is closer than Bryant Park for this poster's hotel, but I am in complete agreement about NY Airport Service here.

Thanks, everyone. I'm now a believer and it's going to be a cab for us.

Yes, I mentioned Comfort Inn Midtown back when. It's still the best price I can find with pretty good reviews so I think I'll stick with it. Oh, I look at the 3 and 4 star hotel specials on Travelzoo and the like but they are still more expensive and their reviews are not any better..and sometimes worse!

I'll be back with a full review as soon as we get back.