New York Taxi, etc.

You post this question on a site devote to European travel ?? I agree with your first statement.

Excuuuuuse me -so sorry. Going to Europe via New York, thought there might be some friendly people who could help. I was wrong.

Cindy, you have to admit that the words of your question don't look a lot like a question on travels in Europe. I lived in New York a lifetime ago - nearly 50 years ago. I wouldn't have thought a cab from La Guardia to the tip of Manhattan in rush hour was a great idea. Maybe it is, though. I'd say you have a bit of a push there. You have to get up, get checked out, schlep your luggage (unless you are staying another night at LGA) and get across 2 or 3 boroughs and down to the tip by 8? Have a look at http://www.nysubway.com/airport/laguardia.html I can't vouch for the website, just found it using the Internet, and remember that those are prices and times to midtown, you need the tip of Manhattan, way downtown.

Cindy, not sure what it would be to Battery Park, last time we went from LaGaurdia to a mid town hotel it was $30.00.

Try http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork I agree, your chances of getting stuck in traffic are high.

Actually, now that I think about it, maybe the answer is to stay in lower Manhattan instead of at LGA. Then you're right on the spot for your 8am tour...

And forget the shuttle if you're in a hurry. It will be dropping people at hotels all over town.

The taxi fare will be the same regardless of the number of passengers. There should be a flat rate from the airport into the city. What about taking the subway into Manhattan? We were there a month ago, on our way to Europe, and the traffic between the airports and Manhattan was horrible even when it was not rush hour.

All the info you could possibly want, including probable taxi fares, is here: http://www.panynj.gov/airports/lga-ground-transportation.html When I did it (headed for a hotel near 12th and the Hudson), I took the bus to the metro.

Thanks so much everyone for the help. Already have the hotel as part of the package, so Manhattan hotel isn't an option. The bus/subway sounds like it might work. Thanks again everyone.

Not the bus, subway is way to go.

As a born and bred New Yorker, and in the borough of Queens for that matter, a few points: 1) The flat rate taxi is from JFK not LGA. The taxi fare is for the entire cab and not per person. However, you do have to add tolls and tip. 2) You need to take a bus to get to the subway. There is no direct subway line to LGA. 3) If you do the MTA jaun, tbus and subway, to Battery Park, give yourself plenty of time. It will be early rush hour. My suggestion would be the M60 bus to Astoria Blvd where you get the "Q" or "N" train to Times Square/42nd St. Transfer to the #1 train to South Ferry. One of the reasons I like this route over other bus/subway lines to Manhattan is that the Astoria Blvd s subway stop is the second on the line and you have a better chance of getting on. If you have a Metrocard card, the transfer between bus and subway is free. If not, you'll have to pay. The transfer between subway lines is free. With the Metrocard, a single ride, regardless of the distance, is $2.50. So if you go direct from Laguardia to South Ferry with the Metrocard, it will only cost you $2.50 Get familiar with the card and it can save you time and money: http://www.mta.info/metrocard/ Some hotels near Laguardia sell them and I believe there are machines at Laguardia. Ask at your hotel.