Hi All--

So far your questions and answers have provided a wealth of knowledge from which my trip to New York via LaGuardia is based.

My question is this: I have an idea of the ballpark price of taking a cab to Manhattan, but whereas tolls are concerned, is it somehow figured onto the metered price or should I have the toll money in exact currency to hand to the driver? I know it may be a trivial question to some, but where I live we don't pay tolls.

Also while I'm here, which is the quickest way into Manhattan whereas bridges are concerned?

Thanks in Advance!
CF

Chris,
The cabbie will normally ask you for the toll as you cross the bridge, so it is in addition to the fare. When in Manhattan, you should always have a fistful of ones, anyway. Bring some quarters also so you'll have exact change.

Budget $30 dollars and you'll be ok.

The fastest time into the city depends entirely on where the accidents are on a given day. If you can predict that, you need to pick stocks or lottery numbers, because be rich!

tolls are either $3.50 (Midtown tunnel and Triboro bridge) or 0 (Queensboro bridge is free). You pay tolls in addition to metered fare.
Technically , all NYC cabs are supposed to have an E-Z pass electronic toll collection pass on the cab which reduces the toll to $3.00. In that case, you are only obligated to pay the $3.00 and do not have to have the money upfront--you just add it to the amount you pay at the end.
Fastest route in depends on where in Manhattan you go as well as trafiic conditions. Don't be afraid to ask the driver which bridge he's taking (and don't be shocked if he gets off the highway at some point, espcially in Queens, in traffic is really bad. Cabbies really know the best short cuts.
When you get into a cab at the airport, a dispatcher will give you a card with the cab number and information on approximate fares into areas of the city. The drivers know this and aren't going to be trying to cheat you by taking the really long route to your destination

Thank you all very much for your help, once again, very helpful!

Just take the shuttle. You don't pay the tolls that way.