What is the cheapest way from LaGuardia to Manhattan?

The free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to 74 St-Broadway/Jackson Heights, then the 7 train (or E, F, M, R) toward Manhattan: $0 for the bus and $3.00 tapped on OMNY for the subway, about 45-55 minutes to Midtown.

Is the Q70 bus really free?

Yes. The Q70 LaGuardia Link has been fare-free since April 2022 — just board, no tap or ticket needed — then pay the $3.00 subway fare when you transfer at Jackson Heights.

Is there a direct bus from LaGuardia into Manhattan?

Yes, the M60-SBS runs directly to 125th Street in Harlem/Upper Manhattan for the same $3.00 OMNY fare, with a free transfer onto the subway if you're headed further downtown — but it can take 45-75 minutes depending on traffic on the RFK-Triborough Bridge.

How much is a taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan?

Metered taxis typically run $40-60 including the $5.00 airport surcharge, tolls and tip — well over ten times the $3.00 transit fare. Rideshare apps can cost even more during surge pricing.

Do I need a MetroCard for the subway from LaGuardia?

No. MetroCard sales ended in January 2026 — tap any contactless bank card, phone or an OMNY card at the turnstile instead.

What is the best way from LGA to downtown New York?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus, then the 7 train into Manhattan — the city center of central New York — for $3.00 total, about 45-55 minutes; OMNY's free subway transfer carries you on downtown from there.

How to get from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Manhattan / downtown New York — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from LaGuardia Airport into Manhattan is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to 74 St-Broadway/Jackson Heights, then the 7 train toward Midtown: the bus costs nothing and you tap OMNY for a single $3.00 subway fare, about 45-55 minutes door to door to Grand Central or Times Square. If you're headed to Harlem or the Upper West Side, the M60-SBS bus runs direct from the airport to 125th Street for the same $3.00 fare, though bridge traffic can make it slower. Skip the metered taxi, which typically runs $40-60 to Manhattan with tolls and surcharges, and watch out for rideshare apps, whose fares can surge past $80-100 at busy times.

How to find it

AIRPORTNew York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
01From your terminal (B, C or D), follow signs for the free 'Q70 LaGuardia Link' bus stop on the departures level; from Terminal A, take the free inter-terminal shuttle to Terminal B first. Board any Q70-SBS bus — no fare, no tap needed.
02Ride about 10 minutes to 74 St-Broadway/Jackson Heights station in Queens — the bus stops right at the subway entrance.
03Tap your card or phone at the turnstile for the $3.00 fare and board the 7 train toward Manhattan (the E, F, M or R trains also stop here if you're headed further south).
04Ride about 16-20 minutes to a Midtown stop such as Grand Central-42 St or Times Sq-42 St.
CITY CENTRENew York

Ticket

Free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus plus one NYC subway fare ($3.00) on OMNY

Where to buy: The Q70 needs no ticket — just board. Tap any contactless bank card, phone or OMNY card at the turnstile when you enter the subway at 74 St-Broadway/Jackson Heights. OMNY vending machines are at the station if you want a physical OMNY card.

How to pay: No payment for the Q70. Tap your card or phone once at the subway turnstile — that single tap charges the $3.00 fare and covers your ride into Manhattan; OMNY's 2-hour free transfer applies if you change trains.

Local's trick: OMNY has a 7-day fare cap: once you've paid $35 in subway/local-bus rides on the same card or phone in a rolling week, every ride after that is free. Since the Q70 costs nothing, the only charge on this whole trip is the single $3.00 subway tap at Jackson Heights.

Trap to avoid: Don't take a metered taxi — the $2.50 base fare plus per-distance charges, a $5.00 airport surcharge, tolls and a $1.00 weekday rush-hour surcharge typically add up to $40-60 to Manhattan. Rideshare apps can be worse: surge pricing pushes an Uber or Lyft to $80-100+ at busy times.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
CombinationCheapest route	$3.00	50 min	Free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus plus one NYC subway fare ($3.00) on OMNY
Bus	$3.00	1 h	M60-SBS Select Bus Service single fare ($3.00) on OMNY, with a free transfer to the subway

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from LaGuardia to Manhattan?: The free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to 74 St-Broadway/Jackson Heights, then the 7 train (or E, F, M, R) toward Manhattan: $0 for the bus and $3.00 tapped on OMNY for the subway, about 45-55 minutes to Midtown.
Is the Q70 bus really free?: Yes. The Q70 LaGuardia Link has been fare-free since April 2022 — just board, no tap or ticket needed — then pay the $3.00 subway fare when you transfer at Jackson Heights.
Is there a direct bus from LaGuardia into Manhattan?: Yes, the M60-SBS runs directly to 125th Street in Harlem/Upper Manhattan for the same $3.00 OMNY fare, with a free transfer onto the subway if you're headed further downtown — but it can take 45-75 minutes depending on traffic on the RFK-Triborough Bridge.
How much is a taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan?: Metered taxis typically run $40-60 including the $5.00 airport surcharge, tolls and tip — well over ten times the $3.00 transit fare. Rideshare apps can cost even more during surge pricing.
Do I need a MetroCard for the subway from LaGuardia?: No. MetroCard sales ended in January 2026 — tap any contactless bank card, phone or an OMNY card at the turnstile instead.
What is the best way from LGA to downtown New York?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus, then the 7 train into Manhattan — the city center of central New York — for $3.00 total, about 45-55 minutes; OMNY's free subway transfer carries you on downtown from there.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.