How to Get to LGA from Times Square | $3 Route Versus Taxi

The easiest LGA route from Times Square is the subway to Jackson Heights, then the free Q70 bus.

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Two choices matter when you work out how to get to LGA from Times Square: the $3 subway-plus-Q70 route and the pricier door-to-terminal ride. The subway is usually the smartest choice when you have one bag and can handle stairs; a taxi or car service makes more sense with kids, heavy luggage, bad weather, or a tight departure window.

LaGuardia Airport sits in Queens, only about 8 miles from Times Square, but Midtown traffic can turn that short distance into a slow ride. For most travelers, the best balance is the 7 train or E train to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue/74 St-Broadway, then the free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus to Terminals B and C.

For a fast route comparison before you leave, use this once you know your flight time and terminal:

Best Route From Times Square To LGA

The best route from Times Square to LGA is the subway to Jackson Heights, then the LaGuardia Link Q70 bus. The trip usually takes 45 to 65 minutes and costs $3 for most riders because the Q70 itself is free.

From Times Square-42 St, take the Queens-bound 7 train to 74 St-Broadway. From 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, the Queens-bound E train also reaches Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue. The stations connect to the same Q70 bus area, so choose the line that is easier from your hotel entrance.

• Use the 7 train if you are already near Times Square-42 St and want the most direct subway line from the square.
• Use the E train if your hotel is closer to Eighth Avenue, Port Authority, or the western side of Times Square.
• Use LIRR to Woodside only if you are already near Penn Station or Grand Central and the next train stops at Woodside.

Which Route Should You Take?

The right route depends on luggage, timing, and your tolerance for subway transfers. Solo travelers and couples with carry-ons should take the subway and Q70; families with large bags should price a taxi or rideshare before committing.

A yellow taxi from Times Square to LaGuardia is metered rather than flat-rate. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission adds the standard metered fare, airport and Manhattan surcharges where they apply, possible tolls, and tip, so the final total often lands far above the subway fare during traffic.

Rideshare apps can be easier for door pickup, but surge pricing can make them the costliest option at rush hour, during rain, or after major events near Broadway. Private transfers cost more, but the fixed pickup and quoted price can be worth it for early flights.

Times Square To LaGuardia Airport: Every Route Compared

Times Square to LaGuardia has several workable routes, but only two are useful for most travelers. Public transit wins on price; a car wins on luggage handling and late-night simplicity.

The MTA says Midtown Manhattan riders can take the subway or LIRR to Queens, then use the free Q70 bus, and it lists current subway, Q70, and LIRR airport-routing details in MTA’s LaGuardia public transit guide.

How To Take The Subway And Q70

The subway-and-Q70 route is simple once you know the transfer point. Your goal is Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue/74 St-Broadway in Queens, where the airport-bound Q70 bus is signed with a yellow airplane icon.

1. Enter Times Square-42 St for the 7 train, or 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal for the E train.
2. Ride Queens-bound to 74 St-Broadway on the 7 or Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue on the E.
3. Follow signs for the Q70 bus after leaving the turnstiles.
4. Board the airport-bound Q70; the bus stops at Terminals C and B.
5. For Terminal A, use the airport shuttle from Terminal B unless airport signs direct you differently that day.

Fare tip: Tap the same credit card, debit card, phone, wearable, or OMNY Card on paid legs; the Q70 is free, so no second fare is due for that bus.

When A Taxi Or Rideshare Is Worth It

A taxi or rideshare is worth it when luggage matters more than price. A car can save effort, but Midtown traffic means it does not always save time.

Choose a car if you are leaving before dawn, carrying checked bags, traveling with young kids, or staying several blocks from a subway entrance. Also choose a car when your flight leaves from Terminal A, because the Q70 requires a terminal shuttle transfer after Terminal B.

For yellow taxis, confirm the meter is running and ask for a receipt. For rideshare, walk to the exact pickup pin before ordering in Times Square, since theater crowds and blocked curb space can slow drivers who are trying to find you.

How Early Should You Leave For LGA?

Leaving Times Square about 2.5 hours before a domestic flight is a reasonable public-transit target. Add more time for international check-in, checked bags, bad weather, or weekday rush hour.

For a taxi or rideshare, leaving 2 to 2.5 hours before a domestic departure works on many normal days, but the gap can disappear fast if the FDR Drive, Queensboro Bridge, or Grand Central Parkway backs up. Public transit is less exposed to road traffic until the Q70 leg.

• Carry-on only, subway route: leave about 2.5 hours before departure.
• Checked bag, subway route: leave about 3 hours before departure.
• Taxi or rideshare at rush hour: leave about 3 hours before departure.
• Early morning car pickup: leave about 2 hours before departure if the app shows light traffic.

Where To Stay Before An LGA Flight

Staying near Times Square is fine for most LGA flights, but an airport-area hotel can cut stress before an early departure. Choose Midtown if you still want restaurants and Broadway; choose Queens near LGA if sleep matters more than sightseeing.

Compare New York City hotel locations on a map before choosing between Midtown convenience and an airport-side night:

Pick Your Route Based On Your Flight

The subway plus Q70 is the best overall route for most travelers because it is cheap, frequent, and not trapped in Midtown traffic for the full trip. Take the 7 or E to Jackson Heights, follow the airport-bus signs, and ride the free Q70 to LaGuardia.

Use a taxi, rideshare, or private transfer when convenience beats price. The extra cost is easier to justify with checked bags, a very early flight, bad weather, or a group of three or four splitting the fare.

• Best value: 7 or E train plus Q70.
• Least walking: taxi, rideshare, or private car.
• Best public-transit backup: LIRR to Woodside plus Q70.
• Least useful from Times Square: M60-SBS, unless you are already uptown.