Home / Blog / LaGuardia to Midtown
Getting here

How to Get From LaGuardia to Midtown

LaGuardia is normally the closest airport to Midtown. Here is how to get from LaGuardia to Midtown by bus, subway, taxi or rideshare.

By Matthew S Crawford Β· Published October 12, 2026

Quick answer

The cheapest way from LaGuardia to Midtown is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to the subway at Jackson Heights. Easiest with bags: a taxi or rideshare. Plan on 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

By bus and subway

The Q70 LaGuardia Link runs from Terminals B and C to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue. From Terminal A, check the MTA site for how to connect. The bus is free. At that station you can catch the 7, E, F, M or R into Midtown.

It is cheap and fairly quick. It takes more effort with big bags.

By taxi or rideshare

It’s roughly nine miles by road. Where you end up in Midtown changes that. Traffic decides the time, so leave extra. A cab is the easiest, but the bill depends on the road.

LaGuardia Airport terminal and roadway in Queens, New York
Photo: NYCHotelss Editorial Archive

Getting from Jackson Heights to your Midtown hotel

Pick the train that ends closest to your hotel. The E and M run toward Sixth Avenue hotels such as the New York Hilton Midtown. The 7 runs straight to Grand Central, which suits East Midtown hotels like the Westin New York Grand Central.

Yellow NYC taxicab driving through Midtown Manhattan
Photo: NYCHotelss Editorial Archive

LaGuardia to Midtown: which should you pick?

Light bags and a good mood? Take the bus and subway. Heavy bags or a late arrival? Take a car.

Staying near the airport? See hotels near LaGuardia or compare LaGuardia airport hotels. For all three airports, read NYC airports, and for the city itself see getting around NYC.

How to Plan LaGuardia to Midtown: Rates, Subway Access, and Seasonal Timing

When researching laguardia to midtown and planning around LaGuardia to Midtown, comparing block-by-block walkability, express subway connections, and seasonal rate shifts helps you get the most out of every day in New York City. Across NYC Airport Hotels and neighboring Manhattan and Brooklyn corridors, nightly hotel prices and ticket demand fluctuate with Broadway schedules, midweek corporate conventions at the Javits Center, and holiday travel peaks. Reviewing our NYC hotel prices by month guide alongside our where to stay in NYC neighborhood breakdown makes it easy to spot high-value travel weeks before you lock in your itinerary.

Comparing Neighborhood Walkability and Express Transit Around LaGuardia to Midtown

Transit proximity matters just as much as the nightly room rate when moving between Midtown landmarks, museum mornings near Central Park, and evening dinner reservations in Downtown Manhattan. Choosing a hotel within a five-to-eight-minute walk of an express subway stationβ€”such as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, or N, Q, R, W linesβ€”saves both commute time and taxi fares. Travelers arriving via JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Newark Liberty International Airport should also check how directly their route connects to New York Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall, or Grand Central Terminal when carrying luggage.

Booking Windows, Refundable Room Rates, and Total Stay Value in New York City

Before finalizing any reservation in New York, always inspect the all-in nightly price including New York City hotel occupancy taxes and any mandatory property or destination fees. Booking a flexible, refundable rate 30 to 45 days ahead lets you secure a proven room in a prime location and re-check live inventory two weeks before check-in if unsold Manhattan rooms drop in price. Pairing smart neighborhood selection with early morning arrival times ensures a smooth, stress-free New York City experience in every season.

Travelers who compare weekday corporate rates against weekend leisure pricing across Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, SoHo, and the Upper West Side routinely save fifteen to twenty-five percent on comparable four-star rooms.

If your flight or train arrives hours before standard three o-clock check-in, nearly every full-service New York hotel bell desk will store your bags free of charge so you can start exploring Central Park, Fifth Avenue, or the High Line right away.

For families and small groups sharing a room, requesting a higher floor away from street-facing elevators and confirming whether two queen beds or a sofa sleeper are guaranteed in writing prevents surprises at the front desk.

Using contactless OMNY tap-to-pay at subway turnstiles and crosstown buses also caps your weekly transit spend automatically, making it simple to ride between Uptown museums, Broadway theaters, and Brooklyn waterfront parks without buying paper farecards.

Whether you are visiting New York City for a quick forty-eight-hour weekend getaway or a full week of sightseeing, balancing iconic observation decks and Broadway shows with unhurried neighborhood walks through Greenwich Village, the West Village, and DUMBO creates a memorable trip.

During peak autumn foliage weeks in October and the December holiday season around Rockefeller Center, reserving timed-entry observation deck tickets and pre-theater dinner tables ten to fourteen days in advance saves hours of waiting in line.

Visitors staying in Midtown East, Murray Hill, or near Grand Central Terminal also enjoy fast crosstown bus connections and direct access to the East River Ferry landings at East 34th Street and Wall Street Pier 11.

When packing for a multi-day stay in Manhattan, bringing a portable phone battery, a compact umbrella, and broken-in walking sneakers ensures you stay comfortable from morning museum hours at the Met through late-night jazz sets in the Village.

Checking the official MTA Weekender service map on Friday afternoon helps you spot any scheduled weekend.

Practical Tips for First-Time and Returning New York Visitors

Common questions

How far is LaGuardia from Midtown?

About nine miles.

What is the cheapest way?

The free Q70 bus plus the subway.

How long does it take?

Usually 30 to 60 minutes.

Is there a train from LaGuardia?

There is no direct train. Use the Q70 bus to the subway (Terminals B and C).

Which is easiest with luggage?

A taxi or rideshare.

Keep reading

NYC airports guide Β· Hotels near LaGuardia Β· Getting around NYC Β· NYC hotels map Β· Trip planner Β· Food map

About the author. Matthew S Crawford grew up on Long Island, in Massapequa and then Deer Park. He runs NYCHotelss, an independent NYC hotel guide. Details change. Check rates, hours and policies before you book.