Welcome / New York / LGA Airport to Grand Central

Getting from LGA to Grand Central: All Transport Options

Justine Mellor

June 4, 2023

Grand Central is a world-famous landmark and transportation hub in Midtown Manhattan. We know that arriving in a crowded city like New York can be a little stressful, so we’ve broken down all the available transport options from LGA to Grand Central so that you can plan your arrival in NYC in the best way possible.

There are five main transportation options for your journey from LGA to Grand Central; by subway, by train, by rideshare, by taxi or by private shuttle. The most budget-friendly option is the subway, costing €2.40 per person. Alternatively, you can take a local taxi if you want a faster, more comfortable journey. The journey takes about 20 minutes in standard traffic and the price of the transfer will be around $50 (€46.60), however, extra charges may be added to your final fare.

For a seamless arrival with no hidden costs and a fully personalised transfer service, pre-book a private transfer with a trusted company like Welcome Pickups.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to New York at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€115.80	20min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€46.60	20min	24/7
Rideshare	€55.90	20min	24/7
Subway	€4.80	60min	24/7
Train	€12	40min	–

How to get from LGA to Grand Central by taxi

Travelling from LGA to Times Square by taxi is the most comfortable choice as the service is door-to-door and you won’t need to worry about carrying heavy luggage around. The journey from LaGuardia Airport to Grand Central Station costs approximately $50 (€46.60) and takes around 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions.

NYC cabs are easy to spot with their iconic yellow colour, taxi medallion and “TAXI” roof sign. They can be found at taxi ranks outside of the airport terminals, with attendants ready to help you if needed.

How much is a taxi from LGA to Grand Central?

Taxis and shuttles from LGA to Grand Central are metered. The journey will cost about $50 (€46.60), not including tolls and other surcharges.

Extra Charges:

Rush hour – $1 (€0.90) between 16:00 and 20:00.

NY state tax – $0.50 (€0.47).

Airport access fee – $1.75 (€1.65).

Cost

€46.60

Trip Duration

20 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis and private shuttles are available 24/7 from LGA Airport

Where do I get the taxi from?

Official taxi stands are located outside every terminal at LaGuardia Airport. You can ask assistants at the ranks to help you to a taxi, feel free to tip these attendants 10%-15% if you like. Most taxis are standard sedans taking up to 4 people, but larger vehicles may also be available upon request.

If you book with a private shuttle company like Welcome Pickups, your driver will be waiting for you, with a name sign, at the arrivals exit.

Convenience

Opting for a taxi or private shuttle is the most comfortable option for the trip from LGA to Manhattan, as most like to avoid public transportation due to queues, waiting times and general hassle.

Taxis and shuttles in New York are regulated, so there’s no need to worry. However, if you aren’t satisfied with your experience, you can contact the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission on their official website or call 311.

We recommend avoiding metered taxis during rush hour as the journey will be slow and your final fare could be much higher. The ride can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and a half depending on traffic, so double-check the best times to travel before you pick which option to go with.

Best times to travel:

Weekdays – 10:00-15:00 and after 20:00.

Weekends and Holidays – before 12:00 and after 20:00.

Editor’s Note

If you want to get from LGA Airport to Grand Central as fast as possible and avoid extra costs and tolls, we recommend booking a private transfer in advance.

Useful Tips

Drivers who approach you inside the terminal and offer their services are usually unlicensed and uninsured. If you’re unsure about a taxi or car service, visit the Port Authority Welcome Centre in the arrivals area of each terminal and speak to one of the uniformed staff members.

A 20% tip is expected for taxis in NYC.

NYC taxi drivers take cash or credit card payments.

How to get from LGA to Grand Central by rideshare

If you’d rather avoid queueing at taxi ranks outside the busy terminal, you could opt to use a rideshare app like Lyft or Uber. Journeys are usually a similar or slightly cheaper price to a New York yellow cab, depending on demand. The ride from LGA to Grand Central will take you about 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions and can take up to an hour and a half in heavy traffic.

How much is a rideshare from LaGuardia Airport to Grand Central Station?

Rideshare apps are a popular way to get around cities and can cost less than local taxis. However, your final fare depends on which app you select, the type of vehicle you order and the demand at the time of booking.

The cost of an Uber or Lyft to Grand Central ranges from about $55 (€51.30) to $115 (€107.20). The average prices for a Lyft ride from LGA Airport to Grand Central are as follows:

Lyft (personal ride): $60 (€55.90)

XL (supersized ride): $65 (€60.60)

Lux Black (luxury ride): $85 (€79.20)

Lux Black XL (spacious luxury ride): $115 (€107.20)

Cost

€55.90

Trip Duration

20 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Uber and Lyft are available 24/7 in NYC.

Where do I get my Lyft or Uber ride from?

Rideshare apps are simple to use, you just need to order a ride through the company’s app and head to the designated pickups areas. It’s considered a convenient option by many as you can book your ride whilst you’re still in the airport and get straight into your vehicle upon exiting the terminal.

Designated pickup areas:

Terminal B: 2nd level of the car park.

Terminals A, C, and D: directly outside the terminals in designated lanes.

Convenience

Rideshare apps are useful, however, the price can vary and if there’s heavy traffic during your journey, the price of your final fare could rise significantly. Additionally, it can be tricky to find your driver when the airport arrivals area is busy. The best way to deal with this is to keep your app open and track your ride; you can also communicate with your driver to ensure you pick a clear meeting spot.

Editor’s Note

An Uber or Lyft ride is sometimes slightly cheaper, if not the same price, as a regular New York taxi.

Useful Tips

Remember that the initial in-app quote for your ride may not be your final fare.

Tolls and surcharges may also be added to your fare.

How to get from LGA to Grand Central by subway

If you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on transport, taking the subway from LGA Airport to Grand Central is the cheapest option, especially during rush hour. There is no direct subway service from LaGuardia to Grand Central, you will need to take the Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link Airport Bus to the subway station. The service takes approximately 12 minutes and costs nothing. From there, you can hop on Line 7 and ride straight to Grand Central.

Alternatively, you can take the M60-SBS bus which will take you to E 125 St subway station and get on Line 5 which will also take you straight to Grand Central. Both routes take approximately 60 minutes but waiting times might increase your journey times, especially during rush hour.

How much is the subway from LaGuardia Airport to Grand Central Station?

Riding the Q70 Bus is free of charge and the subway will only cost you $2.75 (€2.40) each, making this route and mode of transport the best budget choice. For the subway or local buses, you can use OMNY by tapping your contactless card or you can purchase a MetroCard from ticket booths and self-service machines in any subway station.

If you opt to take the M60 route, a one-way ticket will cost you $2.75 (€2.40). You can pay using a MetroCard or OMNY, or at the ticket booths and machines. Once you arrive at the subway station, you can top up your MetroCard there, or buy another ticket. However, it’s much easier to top up the total cost of the tickets, $5.50 (€5.10) at the start of your trip.

Cost

€2.40

Trip Duration

60 Min.

There can be up to a 20-minute wait for the subway.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The subway, M60 bus and Q70 Airlink operate 24/7.

Where do I get the subway from?

The LaGuardia Link Q70 stops in front of Terminal B and C and runs nonstop every 8-10 minutes to the subway. For this option, you’ll need to take the Q70 to Roosevelt Av/74 St, disembark, and follow the signs to the E 125 St subway station. You can ride Line 7 in the direction of Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College for 11 minutes until your stop, Times Square 42 St/Grand Central.

If you’re arriving at Terminal A, the M60 bus provides a quick ride into the city. Once you’ve boarded the M60, it’ll take you about half an hour to get to E 125 St-Lexington Ave. You’ll need to walk for about a minute, following the signs to 125 St subway station, where you can take Line 5 in the direction of Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College until you get to Grand Central 42 St.

Convenience

Getting from LGA to Grand Central by subway is the cheapest option, but you’ll have to deal with changeovers and waiting times throughout your journey. Also, not all NYC subway stations have escalators or elevators, so you’ll be carrying your luggage up flights of stairs

Timetables

MTA Line 7 Subway Timetable

MTA Line 5 Timetable

LGA AirLink Q70 Bus

M60-SBS Timetable

Editor’s Note

The easiest way to purchase subway tickets in New York is with a rechargeable MetroCard. You can purchase them from self-service machines at the stations for $1 (€0.90).

Useful Tips

The M60 stops at every airport terminal.

If you arrive at Terminal A, you can take the airport shuttle to Terminal B if you prefer the Q70 route.

You can buy MetroCards from the ticket machines in the station or from the Metrocard agents.

The subway runs much more frequently during peak hours (between 3-5 or 6-8 minutes).

How to get from LGA to Grand Central Station by train

Using the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) system to get from LGA to Grand Central costs just $6.50 (€6), though the journey time is longer than other options.

Just like with the subway, you’ll have to board the LaGuardia Link Q70 first. The Q70 LaGuardia Link is free to ride and the buses are equipped with luggage racks. The ride takes about 26 minutes and your stop will be Woodside Av/61 St. Once you’ve disembarked, you’ll have to follow the LIRR signs to Woodside Station. From here, you can take the LIRR (brown line) to Grand Central in just 11 minutes.

How much is the train from LGA to Grand Central?

Taking the train to Grand Central is another fairly good value-for-money option. The first leg of your journey on the Q70 is free, however, the cost of your LIRR ticket depends on whether you’re travelling during peak hours or not. A one-way ticket during rush hour (06:00-10:00) costs $9 (€8.30), and an off-peak ticket should cost $6.50 (€6) (weekends and holidays).

Cost

€6

Trip Duration

40 Min.

The train comes every 3-5 minutes during rush hour and waiting times can be anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The LaGuardia Link Q70 and LIRR train run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Where do I get the train from?

At LGA Airport, follow the signs for public transit from Terminals B and C. The LaGuardia Link Q70 stops in front of both terminals and runs every 8-10 minutes. If you arrive at Terminal A, take the airport shuttle to Terminal B.

Once you’ve boarded, you’ll get off at Woodside Station, exit the bus and follow the signs to the LIRR. You’ll need to look for the Far Rockaway Branch (brown line) and get off at Grand Central. The total journey time is about 40 minutes.

Convenience

Taking the train is a good option as it doesn’t cost too much, but you’ll have to do at least one changeover. It’s also good to be aware of the fact that some train stations don’t have elevators or escalators, so if you have a lot of luggage to carry this might not be the best option for you.

*The LIRR can get quite busy during weekday peak hours (06:00-10:00), so keep in mind that waiting times and queues for ticket machines could be longer during these periods.

Timetables

LGA Q70 Link Timetable

LIRR Timetable

LIRR FARES

Editor’s Note

MetroCards are not valid for use on the LIRR trains. The ticket machines for LIRR are different to the subway tickets, so make sure to use the right one.

Useful Tips

Tips are not expected for train or bus drivers, but some loose change never goes unwanted if you especially enjoyed their service.

Remember that the price of tickets varies depending on whether you're travelling during peak hours or not.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in New york. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€124.0

NIGHTTIME

€124.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

How to get from LGA to Grand Central?

There are five options to get from LGA to Grand Central; taxi, rideshare, private transfer, subway or train. If you’d prefer not to use public transport, you can take a taxi, private transfer or rideshare. These are the fastest and most comfortable choices. Taking the subway is very cheap if you don’t mind changeovers or having to carry your luggage. Whilst the journey is a little longer, the fare will only cost you $2.75 (€2.40). Finally, you can get on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) which costs $6.50 (€6) and takes 40 minutes.

What is the cost of taxi from LGA to Grand Central?

Local taxis from LGA to Grand Central are metered. The journey will cost about $50 (€46.60), not including tolls and other surcharges. If you’d rather treat yourself to a premium service and an all-inclusive price with no extra costs, you can pre-book a private shuttle with Welcome Pickups.

What is the distance from LGA to Grand Central?

The distance from LaGuardia Airport to Grand Central Station is approximately 16 km, taking about 20 minutes by car.

Was this helpful?

The best way to arrive in New York

High-end transfer service at the same price as a regular taxi. Available in 325 destinations.

Learn more