The cheapest shuttle from LaGuardia to JFK is not a shuttle — it is the subway-and-AirTrain combo for $11.75 total: the free Q70 bus to Jackson Heights, the E train to Jamaica ($3), then AirTrain JFK ($8.75). Allow 60 to 90 minutes. Taxis run $40 to $60 metered, and no free inter-airport shuttle exists.
Connecting between New York’s two big airports is one of the most-searched airport questions in the city, because the answer surprises people: LaGuardia and JFK are only about 8 to 10 miles apart, but there is no train connecting them and no free shuttle bus. If you are hunting for the cheapest shuttle from LaGuardia to JFK, here is the honest breakdown of every option, cheapest first.
The $11.75 Route: Free Bus + Subway + AirTrain
This is the cheapest shuttle from LaGuardia to JFK in practice, and thousands of connecting passengers use it daily. From any LaGuardia terminal, board the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus — it is completely free, running between the airport and the Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue subway station. At Jackson Heights, transfer to the Manhattan-bound E train ($3 fare) and ride it to Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer. There, follow the signs to AirTrain JFK ($8.75, paid at the exit) and ride it to your terminal. Total: $11.75.
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes door to door, depending on connections and traffic on the Q70’s short road segment. With luggage, the transfers are manageable but not fun: elevators exist at Jackson Heights and Jamaica, so use them. Check mta.info for service alerts before you travel, because weekend track work can reroute the E.
What About an Actual Shuttle Bus?
Here is the honest part. The NYC Airporter bus historically ran between the airports, but its service has been intermittent in recent years — check whether it is currently operating before counting on it. When running, it typically charged around $15 to $20 per person with limited schedules.
And the free option many travelers hope for does not exist. Neither the Port Authority nor the MTA runs a free inter-airport shuttle between LaGuardia and JFK. The Q70 bus is free, but it only gets you to the subway — the rest of the trip costs the standard fares above. If a website or a driver at the curb promises a “free shuttle” between the airports, treat it as a sales pitch, not a service.
Taxis, Rideshares, and Car Services
A yellow taxi between LaGuardia and JFK runs on the meter — there is no flat fare between airports — and typically lands around $40 to $60 before tip, plus any tolls depending on the route. Traffic on the Grand Central Parkway or Van Wyck can push the meter higher, so the taxi is the fastest option off-peak (25 to 40 minutes) and the most frustrating one in rush hour.
Uber and Lyft usually quote $35 to $55 for the airport-to-airport run in normal conditions, which can beat a taxi — but surge during peak banks can double it without warning. A pre-booked car service ($50 to $75 for a sedan on this short run) is the calm option — flat price, driver waiting, no surge. It is not the cheapest shuttle from LaGuardia to JFK, but for a tight connection with bags, it is the one that removes variables. We do not publish fixed prices; request a quote from a TLC-licensed operator. You can verify any base’s license at nyc.gov/tlc.
Making a Tight Connection
- Under 2 hours between flights? Take a taxi or car service. The $11.75 transit route is reliable but not fast enough when minutes matter.
- 3+ hours to spare? The Q70 + E + AirTrain combo saves you $30 to $50 and is genuinely straightforward.
- Lots of luggage? Every transfer with bags costs time and patience. Price the car service against your sanity.
The cheapest shuttle from LaGuardia to JFK is the $11.75 transit combo, the fastest is a car off-peak, and the most predictable is a booked sedan. For the rest of your airport planning, see how to get to JFK, JFK to Manhattan taxi fares, car service costs, and how to choose a car service.
