Takeaway
- How to get from JFK to LGA by taxi: $35–$50 plus a $0.75 surcharge and tip, 30–45 minutes off-peak, but rush hour can creep to an hour.
- How to get from JFK to LGA with Uber or Lyft: $40–$70 with a $1.50 airport fee; app’s handy, but surges hit $80+ when flights pile up.
- How to get from JFK to LGA on a budget: AirTrain ($8) to E subway ($2.90) to Q70 bus (free) for ~$11, 60–90 minutes—solo-friendly, not for luggage hauls.
- How to get from JFK to LGA via shuttle: $20–$35 per person, 45–75 minutes with stops; great for families, less so for tight schedules.
- How to get from JFK to LGA in style: Private cars at $65–$150, 30–50 minutes; execs love the Wi-Fi, but book early to dodge scams.
- Safety tip for how to get from JFK to LGA: Always pick TLC-licensed rides—unlicensed cabs can mean trouble, like a $1,000 fine or worse.
- 2025 traffic update: Congestion pricing trimmed 25% of cars in Manhattan, easing Queens slightly, but plan a 1–2 hour cushion for construction.
- Real talk: A Yelp reviewer gave a $45 taxi 5 stars for speed, but a Reddit user on r/AskNYC cursed a $90 Uber surge after a delay.
By Sarah Thompson, NYC transport pro with 30 years of dodging gridlock, featured in Travel Weekly—check my bio at jetblacktransportation.com/about.
How to get from JFK to LGA sounds simple—two airports, 10 miles apart—but anyone who’s battled Queens traffic knows it’s a gamble. I remember landing at JFK once, bleary from a transatlantic, only to realize my LGA connection was two hours away. That sinking feeling? Yeah, you’ve been there too. In 2025, JFK’s pushing 65 million passengers and LGA’s nearing 32 million, per Port Authority stats, making this transfer a high-stakes shuffle. Throw in construction, rush-hour snarls, and the occasional shady driver, and you’re sweating before you board.
But here’s the good news: With congestion pricing kicking in, slicing 25% of Manhattan’s traffic, the ripple’s made Queens’ parkways a tad less brutal. Still, this isn’t a breeze. I’ve spent decades navigating these routes—solo, with cranky kids, for suited-up execs—and learned the hard way what works. This guide’s your cheat sheet for how to get from JFK to LGA, packed with no-nonsense options like taxis, rideshares, or gritty public transit, plus real traveler stories and TLC-verified safety tips. Let’s get you moving without the meltdown, cool?
Why How to Get from JFK to LGA Is Trickier Than It Looks
NYC’s airports aren’t forgiving. JFK’s $19 billion overhaul, rolling through 2028, means Terminal 1’s a zoo with new lanes but tighter pickups. LGA, fresh off its $8 billion facelift, sparkles but funnels you into crowded lots. The 10–15 miles between them—Van Wyck to Grand Central Parkway—can take 30 minutes at dawn or 90 when a fender-bender clogs it. Congestion pricing, with its $9 peak toll below 60th Street, dropped daily vehicles by 67,000 citywide, freeing up 9% of travel time, but Queens still chokes during rush hours or JFK’s rebuild detours.
With 150 million passengers flooding NYC airports in 2025, up from 149.9 million last year, expect lines everywhere—baggage, cabs, even coffee. I once watched a family miss their LGA flight because a shuttle got stuck behind a delivery truck. Safety’s another beast: TLC’s 2025 rules demand licensed drivers with clean records—12,500 accessible vehicles are now in play—but curbside hustlers still lurk, risking fines or your bags. EVs are up too, cutting emissions 20% per EPA, so you’ll see greener taxis and black cars. For how to get from JFK to LGA, plan an hour, check apps, and pick your poison—budget or comfort?
| Option | Cost (2025) | Time | Why You’d Pick It | Why You’d Skip It |
| Taxi | $35–$50 + $0.75 + tip | 30–45 min | Direct, regulated, cash OK | Waits at stands, meter swings |
| Uber/Lyft | $40–$70 + $1.50 fee | 30–50 min | App ease, track driver | Surges, 10-min waits |
| Public Transit | $11 (AirTrain + subway) | 60–90 min | Dirt-cheap, 24/7 | Stairs, crowded transfers |
| Shuttle | $20–$35/person | 45–75 min | Group-friendly, budget | Stops add time |
| Private Car | $65–$150 | 30–50 min | Comfy, fixed rate | Pricey, needs booking |
How to get from JFK to LGA options compared (costs include fees; times for light traffic; sources: TLC, MTA, Uber)
Your Options for How to Get from JFK to LGA
Taxis: Old-School Reliability
For how to get from JFK to LGA, yellow cabs are your grab-and-go—line up at JFK’s stands, TLC-regulated for safety, and you’re off. Meters start at $3, add $0.70 per 1/5 mile or idle minute, hitting $35–$50, plus $0.75 congestion surcharge and $1.50 airport fee—toss in 15% tip. No flat rate like JFK-to-Manhattan’s $70, so traffic spikes it. With 2025’s pricing easing flows, expect 30–45 minutes, but 4 p.m. gridlock? Closer to an hour.
It’s solid for four with bags, but stands can mean 15-minute waits. A March 2025 Yelp post glowed: “$40, driver dodged traffic like a pro,” while a TripAdvisor gripe hit $52 in rain. TLC enforces seatbelts, bans phone use—drivers face $350 fines. Warning: Don’t touch curbside hustlers—unlicensed rides risk scams or worse; report to 311.
Rideshares: App-Driven but Pricey Peaks
Uber or Lyft nails how to get from JFK to LGA if you want speed without brainpower—open the app, request curbside, and roll in 5–15 minutes. 2025 fares for UberX/Lyft Standard run $40–$70 with a $1.50 airport fee, but surges during 5 p.m. flight waves or storms hit $80–$90. XL for groups? $60–$100, roomy for bags.
A Reddit user on r/AskNYC (Feb 2025) cheered, “$48 Uber, 32 minutes, worth every penny,” but another on r/TravelHacks vented, “$87 after a delay—robbery!” TLC licenses these drivers too, with quarterly checks. Trick: Lock fares with upfront pricing. Disclaimer: Check apps live—fares shift fast.
Public Transit: Cheap but Gritty
Want the cheapest way for how to get from JFK to LGA? Take the AirTrain ($8 via OMNY) to Jamaica, E subway ($2.90) to Jackson Heights, then free Q70 bus to LGA—total $11, 60–90 minutes. MTA’s $160 million 2025 upgrades mean more Q70 runs, but Jamaica’s stairs and crowds? Brutal with suitcases.
I’ve done it with just a backpack—fine, vibey even, watching Queens blur by. A 2025 TripAdvisor review said, “Saved $50, made it in 70 minutes,” but a Reddit solo traveler groaned, “Luggage plus transfers? Never again.” It’s green with EV buses, and elevators help accessibility. Solo travelers only—groups, look elsewhere.
Shuttles and Privates: Comfort Meets Value
Shuttles like GO Airlink or ETS hit how to get from JFK to LGA for $20–$35 per person, 45–75 minutes with stops, fitting 8–11 with bags. Private cars? $65–$150, TLC-licensed, 30–50 minutes with perks like Wi-Fi—execs and families dig it. A Yelp review raved, “$28 shuttle, comfy,” but another noted, “45-minute wait sucked.”
In 2025, these dodge surge pricing. Book online, and skip unlicensed offers—TLC fines hit $1,000 for those. Private’s my go-to when I’m beat; nothing like sinking into a quiet sedan after a flight.
Insider Hacks for How to Get from JFK to LGA
After 30 years dodging NYC’s chaos, here’s the real scoop on how to get from JFK to LGA. Download the Port Authority app—JFK’s Terminal 4 construction shifts pickup zones like a maze. Congestion pricing’s $9 toll cut traffic 12% citywide, but Queens’ parkways still jam at 5 p.m.—a Reddit thread from April 2025 raged over a $190 Uber surge. Picture this: You land late, bags heavy, rain pouring—pre-book a private car to skip the 20-minute cab line.
Reviews split the difference: A TripAdvisor family called a $30 shuttle “a godsend for four,” while a Yelp user trashed public transit’s “sweaty, packed E train” (2 stars, March 2025). Safety’s non-negotiable—TLC’s 2025 dashcam mandate (50% of vehicles) and no-phone rules keep drivers sharp. Groups, book shuttles; solos, subway if you’re light. EVs are saving 20% emissions, so breathe easier. Honestly, $10 extra for a smooth ride? That’s my kind of math.
Tailored Tips for How to Get from JFK to LGA
Solo travelers: Go public for how to get from JFK to LGA—$11 via AirTrain-E-Q70 is a steal. I’ve done it with earbuds in, zoning out to subway hums, hitting LGA in 65 minutes. A 2025 r/AskNYC post said, “$11 and I’m golden,” but heavy bags? Grab a $45 Uber.
Families/Groups: Shuttles at $25 a head fit strollers and cranky kids—ETS vans are roomy. Imagine herding three suitcases and a toddler; a $100 private van’s a sanity-saver, per a TripAdvisor mom: “Kids slept, worth every cent.”
Execs: Black cars ($120) for how to get from JFK to LGA—quiet, Wi-Fi, no surge nonsense. I’ve seen suits answer emails in peace. Accessibility? Q70’s got ramps; book MTA paratransit for ease. Always check TLC licensing—unlicensed rides risk your wallet or worse.
Wrapping It Up
Mastering how to get from JFK to LGA in 2025 boils down to your needs—$11 transit for scrappy solos, $25 shuttles for crews, or $70 rideshares for ease amid 150 million airport travelers. Congestion pricing’s helped, but Queens’ roads still throw curveballs—give yourself 60–90 minutes to be safe. Stick to TLC-licensed rides; we’ve seen too many horror stories from curbside deals gone wrong. For a polished option, peek at jetblacktransportation.com alongside Uber, Lyft, or Carmel. Here’s to landing calm and ready for what’s next!
FAQ
How to get from JFK to LGA: What’s the best way?
Taxis ($40) for speed, transit ($11) for savings, shuttles ($25) for groups. Most? We’d pick Uber for balance.
How to get from JFK to LGA on a budget?
AirTrain ($8) to E subway ($2.90) to free Q70—$11 total, 60–90 minutes. Solo win, per MTA schedules.
How long for how to get from JFK to LGA?
30–50 minutes driving, 60–90 transit. Traffic adds 20–30; Waze for 2025 detours.
How to get from JFK to LGA with bags?
Taxi or private—subway’s a slog. Reddit tip: “Uber XL, no hassle for suitcases.”
Direct bus for how to get from JFK to LGA?
Nope, but Q70 from subway’s close—free, 8 minutes. Shuttles ($20–$35) feel direct-ish.
Uber cost for how to get from JFK to LGA?
$40–$70, $1.50 fee included—surges to $90. Lock fares via app to avoid shocks.
Safest way for how to get from JFK to LGA?
TLC-licensed cabs or apps—check medallions. Curbside offers? Scam alert, call 311.
Does congestion pricing hit how to get from JFK to LGA?
Not directly—taxis pay $0.75, but route’s outside toll zone. Buses gain speed.
u003cstrongu003eHow to get from JFK to LGA for families?u003c/strongu003e
Shuttles or $100 privates—room for gear. Yelp: “Van kept kids happy, stress-free.”
Fastest route for how to get from JFK to LGA?
Taxi/Uber, 30 minutes off-peak. Book ahead; pricing cuts delays.
How to get from JFK to LGA at night?
24/7 options—taxi’s $40–$50, quicker with less traffic. Transit’s slower but runs.
Accessible options for how to get from JFK to LGA?
Q70 has ramps; MTA paratransit for pre-booked ease. Verify via app.
