1) Is it time/cost effective to take the taxi rather than private car, from LGA to Manhattan LES hotel on a weekday after 7:30pm? Reading the posts, it looks like taxi is better right? The private car looks about $38 with tip.

2) From Manhattan LES hotel to JFK on a Sunday early morning, I found a private car deal at $65 which includes tip, all tolls, and tax. How does this price compare with taxi?

Gracias!

Both situations you describe would be cheaper by taxi, especially since for your location the taxi can take the Williamsburg Bridge and avoid the toll.

Fare plus tip from JFK in a taxi would be about $55, from LGA $30-$35.

2)Flat fare for taxi to/from JFK and Manhattan is $45. Toll is 0 (for Queensborough Bridge) or $4.50. Tip is whatever you want, plan on about 15% which is about $7. There is NO tax on taxi rides! So Taxi tends to be somewhat cheaper.

Tried SuperShuttle on a recent NYC trip. Spent over 2 hours circling mid-town to pick up 3 other pax. Then, I had to give directions on how to get to the tunnels. Barely made my plane.

(upside, was miserable trip and CO upgraded me)

I assume I can get flat fare with any taxi company the hotel arranges for me? So upon arrival from hotel to JFK, do I just tell the taxi to give me the flat fare rate?

The flat rate for JFK applies to all cabs.

<< assume I can get flat fare with any taxi company the hotel arranges for me? So upon arrival from hotel to JFK, do I just tell the taxi to give me the flat fare rate?>>

A taxi from the official line will charge the official flat rate.

If your hotel calls you a taxi for your return to the airport, the taxi will charge the flat rate. If your hotel calls a private car service, the rate may differ.

Obviously your taxi will have a meter running, and if there's heavy traffic, the taxi fare can certainly be higher than a car service like Dial 7, which is a fixed fee regardless of the travel time.

I almost always take a car service to both LGA & JFK from my Manhattan home.

From LGA to Manhattan, I generally take a taxi (exception is holidays & rush hour when taxi lines can be very long).

From JFK to Manhattan, I'm about 50/50 depending on arrival time, etc.

I'm sorry, there is a flat fare of $45 to JFK now, so the meter will not be running.

Oops--in my most recent post, I didn't notice the first taxi is to hotel from LGA. that is a metered ride--no flat rate. But yes, JFK is now a flat rate in BOTH directions.