Two airports, eight miles apart, no direct train between them — the LGA-to-JFK transfer is New York’s most annoying connection. Miss it and you miss your flight; overpay and you have funded someone’s boat. Here is how to get from laguardia to jfk in 2026 across every budget, from the $3 subway combo to a door-to-door car, with honest timing for each.
The short answer: The cheapest way to get from LaGuardia to JFK is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave, the subway ($3) to Jamaica, and the AirTrain ($8.75) to JFK — $11.75 total, about 60–90 minutes. A taxi is metered (no flat fare between airports) and typically runs $35–$55 plus tolls and tip; a pre-booked car service quotes a flat range up front.
The $11.75 transit route (cheapest)
This is the insider’s route. At LGA, follow signs for the Q70 LaGuardia Link — it is a free bus, and it runs frequently between the terminals and the Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave subway station. There, catch the E train toward Jamaica–Sutphin Blvd ($3 via OMNY tap), then transfer to the AirTrain ($8.75) for the ride into JFK. Total: $11.75. Total time: 60–90 minutes depending on connections. It runs around the clock, it cannot get stuck in traffic, and it is the definitive answer for how to get from laguardia to jfk on a budget. Check current MTA fares before you fly, and give yourself a generous buffer — two transfers means two chances for a delay. If you want the fuller picture on airport shuttles generally, see our notes on the cheapest shuttle from LaGuardia to JFK.
Taxi: metered, no flat fare
Important: there is no flat fare between the airports. The $70 TLC flat rate covers JFK–Manhattan only (see the JFK taxi flat rate rules), so an LGA–JFK taxi runs on the meter. In normal traffic that usually means $35–$55 on the meter, plus tolls if the driver uses a tolled route, plus surcharges and a 15–20% tip — call it $50–$75 all-in on a typical day. The ride takes 25–45 minutes depending on traffic, which is the real variable: the Van Wyck and Grand Central Parkway at rush hour can double the time and inflate the meter. Taxis win when you are cutting it close and need door-to-door speed without transfers. For travelers researching how to get from laguardia to jfk at the last minute, the taxi line at arrivals is usually the fastest option. If you have never flagged one, read up on booking a cab in NYC first.
Car service and rideshare: the comfortable middle
Anyone comparing how to get from laguardia to jfk by car service should get the range in writing first. A pre-booked car service quotes you a flat range before the wheels move — no meter anxiety, no surge, driver waiting at arrivals with your name. For tight connections with luggage, that certainty is worth real money; get the total in writing including tolls and tip. Rideshares are the wildcard: off-peak they can undercut taxis, but at 5 PM on a Friday surge pricing can make them the most expensive option on this list with zero warning. For groups of three or four, split a car-service quote four ways and it often beats four transit fares on value, if not on raw price. And if your journey started at JFK and you are comparing directions, a taxi from JFK to Manhattan follows the familiar $70 flat-fare math instead.
How much time do you actually need?
- Transit ($11.75): 60–90 minutes. Budget 2 hours between flights to be safe.
- Taxi ($50–$75 all-in): 25–45 minutes off-peak, up to 75 in bad traffic. Budget 1.5 hours.
- Car service (quoted range): same road time as a taxi, minus the wait for a cab. Budget 1.5 hours.
- Golden rule: for separate tickets, airlines recommend 3+ hours between flights — the transfer eats more of that than you think. The official LaGuardia Airport site has terminal maps to speed your exit.
However you ride, the key insight for how to get from laguardia to jfk is that there is no single “best” option — only the best option for your clock and your luggage. Plenty of time and a backpack? Take the $11.75. Ninety minutes and two suitcases? Take the car. Decide before you land, not while staring at the arrivals curb. Save this guide to how to get from laguardia to jfk before you fly — you will want it when the connection gets real.
