Advice for transportation from LaGuardia to Times Square area?

[Guest]

In my online search, I've noted two car services: Carmel and Dial 7. Any forum readers care to comment on either or both of these companies? We'll be coming late evening from LGA to our hotel near Times Square. Thanks!

[Guest Ace]

Check out "Go Shuttle" as well....door to door service for probably half the price.

I've used them a few times.

Enjoy NYC!!

[Steven_Draker]

From La Guardia I usually take a cab to Midtown ($25-30 toll and tip included).

 

If you arrive late evening you'll miss all the fun being stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic.

[Scorpio]

I've used Carmel twice but it has been several years since my last trip to NYC. Good service, clean cars, reasonable prices.

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

I agree with Steven. Take a cab. Quick, efficient, and not that much more than a shuttle.

[+ jrhoutex]

I used Dial 7 last month from LGA to a Times Square area Hotel ($48 tip included). On my return to LGA, I took a cab ($40 tip included). Both options are relatively the same in price, but I found Dial 7's town car service more comfortable.

[JT Brooklyn]

It's always best to arrange Travel as Late or Early as possible! Avoid Newark at all costs!

[edjames]

I regularly use Carmel. They are always prompt and good. I've also experienced good service with Dial7. Check online for coupons, both offer $4-$5 off for service to NYC from the airports.

Dial 7 has discounts for booking online.

of course, like others have mentioned, most return trips into NYC I use Yellow Cab. No the most relaxing or comfortable rides, but since I live only 15 minutes from LGA, it's fast and easy. There are no fixed rates from LGA, so a metered cab ride to Times Sq should run around $30, plus tolls ($5) and tip.

 

Your choice, a few dollars more for a comfortable relaxed ride in a town car or a smelly cab with a driver that got his driving skills who-knows-where!

 

ED

[dfw2sfo]

Get gay chauffeur

 

I heard about a service called Get Gay Chauffeur. They are supporting some gay charities. I tried them on a trip from JFK after a harrowing trip and so glad I did. They pick you up in a new BMW 7 series - the big one - and while my driver wasn't gay he was a cool guy in a rock band. With the name I bet they do have some gay drivers though. He explained a lot of what they do is drive celebrities to Broadway gigs and now they are doing more airport service. Definitely reasonable for a car service. http://Www.getgaychauffeur.com. More than a cab but could be worth it.

 

Airport rates are as follows:

 

Manhattan to EWR - $90 *

Manhattan to JFK - $80

Manhattan to LGA - $60

*

Please note the above prices do not include 20% standard gratuity, tolls, waiting time, additional stops, and parking.

Waiting time is calculated as follows. 30 minutes of waiting time is included free of charge for domestic flights (45 minutes for international flights) after flight lands.

Waiting time after this is billed as a flat rate of $30/hr.

*

I will definitely use again.

[nynakedtop]

If you have time a patience, you can take the M60 bus from LaGuardia into Manhattan and then pick up a subway. $2.25. It is what I always do, but, then again I live 2 blocks from the bus stop in Manhattan. Depends on how much luggage you have, how much you want to save money, and how tired you are on arrival.

 

Having said that, it is the transportation I always use to and form LGA.

[trilingual]

The express bus service from LGA to 42nd Street is only $12. It stops at Grand Central, Bryant Park and Port Authority. The latter two stops are very close to Times Square -- if you don't have much luggage you can easily walk, or just take a cab a couple of blocks if you're loaded down with stuff. Info at http://www.nyairportservice.com

[+ purplekow]

I suggest you pick up a rich man on the plane and have him use his limo to drop you off at your hotel

[raulgmanzo]

From LaGuardia I often take a taxi and they have nearly always very clean with a professional driver. Though I hate that there is often a line for taxis in front of the central terminal and in that case I tend to walk to the end of the terminal where very often the cab stand has a line of cabs waiting and NO passenger line at all. Clearly there is something wrong with the taxicab dispatch at LaGuardia.

 

But still I just can't see buying tickets for a shuttle or calling a car service. Once I'm off the plane I want to be free to change my mind, jump on a bus to Queens, share a ride with that cute guy I just met in baggage claim, or ask my driver to take me somewhere else if I've just gotten a call from a client etc.

 

But when I'm on a budget, have the time, or the traffic into Manhattan is bad I do like nynakedtop and take the M60. But as the trip across the bridge into Manhattan can be congested I usually get off in Queens at Astoria boulevard and take any Manhattan bound train (N, W) which will take you right to Times Square. Sometimes if I see an express train at Queensborough Plaza I will transfer to it.

 

If a M60 just left I sometimes take pretty much any bus that comes along. If one is hungry the Q33 is great, lets you off at Roosevelt ave for the 7 or stay on it till 74th/Roosevelt/JacksonHeights where there are several subway lines. In either case Roosevelt avenue has a delightful mix of colorful shops and street vendors from all corners of the earth selling some tasty and super quick snacks. Certainly counters the notion that Queens is boring.

 

If it is cold and one is tired of waiting you can take the Q48 or Q72 and transfer to the 7 at Shea stadium or Junction Blvd.

 

The drag with the bus is you need a farecard or exact change. Many of the Hudson News shops in the terminals sell farecards including ones good for unlimited rides.

[jimboivyo]

Carmel's cars are terrible. Drivers unprofessional. Look into Minuteman car service. I've got an account with them and they've been perfect every-time

[Doe Be Doe]

If you have time a patience, you can take the M60 bus from LaGuardia into Manhattan and then pick up a subway. $2.25. It is what I always do, but, then again I live 2 blocks from the bus stop in Manhattan. Depends on how much luggage you have, how much you want to save money, and how tired you are on arrival.

 

Having said that, it is the transportation I always use to and form LGA.

 

Alas it's $2.50 now.

[+ beethoven]

I've been using Carmel for years, and they are 100% reliable, with courteous drivers and dispatchers. I think they charge $28 from LGA, plus toll ($5.50) and tip. A cab souldn't cost much more, and might be just as easy. You can also take a city bus (M 60), as someone suggested, but that's slow and probably doesn't leave you where you want to go. You can also take a bus that goes directly to Grand Central Terminal (east side) and then to Port Authority Terminal (west side). I think it's $15 one-way. Room for your luggage, and a lot faster than the M 60, but a lot less comfortable than a Carmel car or a cab.