Is taking a taxi from Lga to the Belvedere Hotel on 49th St. the best way to go? Does anyone know about how much to expect to pay or is it set prices from the airport--I can't remember from the last time I was there. Thx!

If best you mean quickest and easiest, yes, taxi is the best way. No set price from LGA, only from JFK. Price depends largely on time of day and traffic conditions, but figure about $25 plus tip. I took cab last Friday at about 6 pm from LGA to 60th St. and fare was $24.

Taxi is the way to go and will be "on the meter" meaning affected by traffic and wait time. $25-35.

I've always taken a taxi and am always impressed how they bust there butt to get you to your destination fast. Sometimes too fast! $25 plus tip is about right.

Thanks so much for the replies--heading to the airport!!! Yea!!!

Just got back from a great quick weekend trip to NYC. The taxi ride from LGA to our hotel, The Belvedere at W. 48th between 8th and 9th Ave. was $43.50 (which included a toll charge). I had expected around $25-30 without tip and was so surprised at the amount. On the way back to LGA the taxi fare was $32 including the toll and I told the taxi driver about the charge on the way over and he said I was clearly overcharged, so just a word of advice--get a receipt when they ask you if you want one, because if I had gotten a receipt I could have called the cab company about being ripped off--our cab driver said that if they are reported for that, they can lose their license, so it is important to have a receipt. The trip was great and did so much with only 1 full day there. Hairspray was great!

Wow, I'm surprised they charged you that. Just to confirm, you did get in a yellow cab from the taxi line (i.e. not from one of the crooks who peddle for rides inside the terminal).

That is a little high but if you were sitting in traffic at all that would be probably in line.

We were definitely in a yellow cab. Stood in the line where you pick up the taxis, and there was no traffic. Probably made a mistake when I told the driver it was my sister and niece's first trip to NYC!!

They don't reset the meters for out of towners, if that's what you're implying.

NY taxi fares have recently gone up. They have increased "waiting time". Even without traffic, waiting at traffic lights can add up.

I know they don't reset meters for out of towners, but he could have taken a longer route, and the driver on the way back to LGA said the fare should never be that high, unless there was terrific traffic, which there was not, so my tip is get a receipt.

Every once in a while you will run into a driver with a "fast" meter - deliberately set (illegally) to run at too high a rate. I have run into this only once in coming into the city from LGA at least 400-500 times. Since I did the trip all the time I simply told him it was wrong and I wouldn;t pay. I offered what I usually paid, he threatened dire consequences if I didn't pay the meter, and I said drive to the police station.

Eventually he gave up - I paid him what it usually cost plus toll but NO tip - and I took his number and made a complaint to the T&LC.

This is extremely rare - since if cost they will lose their license. But - if the fare seems completely out of line (not due to traffic etc) definitely take down their info and tell them you will report it.

(For midtown west I would assume a fare of about $30 - but the meter is ticking - and if there's a lot of traffic or an accident it could run up to $40 or even more.)