Advice Needed - JFK vs. Laguardia Airport

[BWAY_Rob]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 4:37pm

I am coming up to NYC from the DC area in a couple of weeks. I typically either take the train to Penn Station or fly into JFK. I found some a couple of really good flight options going to Laguardia instead of JFK. Are there advantages of flying into one over the other? Which one is closer to the city. Is there less traffic with one or the other? It usually takes me 30 - 40 minutes to travel from the city to JFK. Is it the same with LGA?

[Neverandy]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 4:42pm

La guardia is closer if you're talking about distance from Times Square. The prospect of JFK flight always is met with an audible groan when presented to any resident of Manhattan.

[dreaming]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 4:50pm

I prefer LGA because the security is far less of a hassle and it's more easily accessible.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 4:53pm

Ill change my day of travel if my only option is JFK, it's such a pain in the ass.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 5:10pm

I guess I'd prefer La Guardia. Whenever I fly into JFK, the plane always makes a particular maneuver, making a substantial turn to the left, as it approaches JFK. I miss NYC...would love to go there in December, provided there's some snow. (It's very rare in my little corner of the world.) from RC in Austin, Texas

[whatever2]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 5:14pm

Mostly, i agree with the other posts re: LGA being preferable.

One thing to note, though: if you have to rely on public transportation to get into the city from the airport (and/or vice versa), JFK is a good bit easier than LGA.

unless the airfare is SUBSTANTIALLY lower than the train fare, i'd stick with Ramtrak from DC -- the hassle factor here in nyc is so much lower with the train.

[jazzynat]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 5:44pm

its been my experience that ground transportation from La Guardia tends to be cheaper than from JFK. Being from the Bay Area flying in is my only option, if I fly Virgin from SFO I can only fly into JFK which sucks. I prefer La Guardia too.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 5:53pm

Travel costs, if you're using yellow cabs, will vary as to which is better based on where you need the cab to take you to in the city. JFK has a flat fee of $45 for anywhere in Manhattan to/from JFK. LGA, depending on where you need to go, can come in substantially cheaper than that, but could also be more expensive, it's a crap shoot.

That being said, like everyone else in NYC, I very much prefer LGA for how much easier it is to get through security.

But, coming from D.C., I tend to agree that unless the flight is substantially cheaper than the train, stick with the train.

[sondhead]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 6:00pm

JFK has a tram that connects to the subway... much easier transport-wise than LGA, as long as your heart isn't set on getting a cab or renting a car.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 6:05pm

LGA also has several buses that connect to subways as well, or go directly into Manhattan. Again, it all depends on where you need to go.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 8:16pm

I think Newark is the closest and easiest.

[BWAY_Rob]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 8:22pm

Thanks for all the comments. Much appreciated. I actually live in Northern Virginia, so getting into DC to catch the train is about 45 minutes to an hour with traffic. Otherwise the Acela Express is great, but it still takes over two hours. The flight from Dulles to JFK is usually around 40 minutes. I usually just catch a taxi at the airport for the $45 flat rate. I always stay in the Times Square area.

The flights are substantially cheaper than the train. Given all the advice, I think my best bet is to fly to LGA. Now I just have to decide on what shows to see. I think I can fit 5 shows into my weekend trip. The only one I am certain of is 'One Man, Two Guvnors'.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 8:27pm

If you're going from the airport to a hotel in Times Square, there's a ton of bus services that do drop offs from the airport to midtown (or your hotel) for around $12-$15.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/9/12 at 8:29pm

LGA is the best choice. A bit of advice, don't waste time on Ghost or Evita. Too bad Venus in Fur has closed.

[DEClarke]

Posted: 8/10/12 at 11:50pm

I've flown into both with no problems. Security going home was quicker at LGA, but not by much. We flew Jet Blue to JFK.

Newark was GOD AWFUL, and I'll never do that again. We were rerouted that time... what a nightmare!

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/10/12 at 11:53pm

But the Jet Blue terminal at JFK is a magical place with free wi-fi and Jamba Juice. <3

[beensince1987]

Posted: 8/11/12 at 9:08am

I prefer JFK.

Take AirTrain to Jamaica which cost you $5 and takes maybe 10 min. Then Take E train which is $2.25 and takes maybe 20 min to 42nd st depends of time of day

[Skip2]

Posted: 8/11/12 at 9:16am

I MUCH prefer JFK or Newark.

From JFK I take the Air Train ($5) to Jamaica LIRR station, switch to LIRR and take the train into Penn Station (about $10). For $15 it takes about 90 minutes. LaGuardia will take about $35 for taxi. It's too much of a hassle taking a local bus and then a subway train. For a little extra time it's easy to get from JFK to Manhattan.

From Newark, Air Train from terminal to NJ Transit/Amtrak line, then train to Penn Station. About 90 min for about $15. Easy again.

La Guardia is too expensive and old with long security lines and musty terminals.

[THDavis]

Posted: 8/11/12 at 9:37am

I'd agree on most fronts with what everyone is saying. Public transportation is much more traveler friendly from JFK (taking the train as opposed to the bus) but it is probably cheaper to cab from LGA or to find an alternate transportation option (I last took a van into Manhattan.) As far as security goes, I've had better luck flying OUT of LGA than JFK. It's all up to preference in certain aspects. Public transportation to/from NYC: JFK. Alternate transportation/ease in and out: LGA.

[Quiche2]

Posted: 8/11/12 at 10:50am

If you are definitley set on flying, I would take Laguardia. But if you don't absolutely HAVE to fly, I would take the train the Penn Station. It's easier in my opinion. Of course, it takes longer, but I prefer it over flying if I have the choice.