Litespeed_Chick

Flight out of LGA at 8:55 on a Sunday night in December. Have not flown to NYC since this time last year. How long should I budget for getting through the airport, and how long for taxi from 51st ST (Michaelangelo) to LGA?

So...at what time would you want to get in the cab?
I'm trying to work in one more NYC meal, but don't want to miss the flight

Thanks!

syd1

You'll want to be at the airport by around 7:15 - 7:30 to make sure you have enough time in case you get called for the random baggage check.
Sunday isn't as bad for traffic, but then again, I've been surprised many a time! I'd leave at 6:30 to be safe. Then again, I'm a bit conservative with airports. Always like to be early.

Doug

Agree with syd1's 6:30 recommendation; you can get away with 6:45, maybe even 7:00. Wouldn't go any later than that in case you hit unusual traffic.

jaydreb5

Is this an international flight? If not, I would get a cab around 7:00PM. Traffic should not be too bad leaving the city on a Sunday night, so figure 30 minutes (maybe 45 if you have some traffic).

HowardR

I think 7 p.m. airport departure is playing too tight. No matter what time you leave NYC for an airport, you should build in some "just in case" time.
Further, airports are fairly busy on Sunday evenings, so you should expect lines at the ticket counters and at security.
I wouldn't leave any later than 6:30.

GoTravel

Normally I would leave for the airport (LGA) from Midtown 2 hours before my flight. HOWEVER, and this is a big however, you are speaking of a weekend in December when all zillion tourists visiting the holiday decorations will also be catching flights home.

Play it safe and leave by 6:30PM. You can still do a long, fun, Sunday Brunch.

Gekko

Not checking luggage, no need to leave earlier than 7pm unless you enjoy waiting around. If it was me leaving my apartment, I'd leave around 7:30, but I like to walk right on the plane.

Taxi door to gate should be 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Enjoy NYC!

missjanna

If it leaves at 8:55 then the flight will likely board around 8:25, which means with security you will not want to be there any later than 7:30. With this mind, you should leave no later than 6:30, 6:45 pushing it.

There is also a renovated food court in LaGuardia the last time I was there in July, nothing major, but some decent food, although I'm sure you want a sit down and eat restaurant in NYC.

Tell the driver to take the 59th Street Bridge and then take Astoria Blvd across towards the airport if the highway traffic is too much.

TKay

I would allow about 45 minutes to get to LaGuardia. If you leave around 6:15 you should be fine. I wouldn't suggest leaving any later than 6:30 because the traffic can be unpredictable, especially around the holidays.

Meesthare

I would agree with everybody who says to leave at 6:15 - 6:30. I'm in New York right now, although I didn't come through LGA (flew to Westchester) and was here a few weeks ago. During busy times it can be surprisingly difficult to get a cab. A car service might be better; see what your hotel recommends. And don't underestimate the time it will take to get through security; it can be a bit nerve-wracking to be standing in a lineup watching the minutes tick by.

almesq

I live in NYC and go to LGA quite frequently. 6:30 would be plenty of time (even factoring a bit extra traffic time). If leave at 6:30, should be at LGA by 7:15. One thing to consider, is when in December you will be here. The closer to the holidays you get, the more crowded and more traffic there will be, harder to get a cab, etc.
Good luck.

caroler

Don't know which airline you're flying - or if you'll have access to a computer and printer - but I recently checked in for my USAirways flight on-line. (I think Delta allows on-line check-in also). Chose my seat, printed my boarding pass, etc. at home so didn't have to bother with that at the airport. Allowed me to reduce the time I felt I needed at the aiport prior to the flight to 1 hour max. - which is more than enough time for security, newsstand stop and boarding.

dan_woodlief

I'm not a New Yorker, but I just experienced both ends of a LaGuardia journey (staying at 46th Street). The traffic going into town (mid morning Wednesday) was about 50-55 minutes in fairly thick but moving traffic. The trip out was 30 minutes in barely any traffic during mid-afternoon on Sunday, and I wished I hadn't rushed so much (I left the hotel a little under 2 1/2 hours before boarding). Based on all that, the fact that Sunday is a heavy travel day (especially on holiday period weekends) but generally lower traffic day, I reach the startling conclusion that 6:30 is a good conservative time. Even if traffic isn't a problem, you could end up with long lines at check-in and security. Some of the security lines were fairly substantial this past weekend, and I a sure it gets worse in December.