When traveling by air, nine times out of ten, I fly out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The main reason for my choice over LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the ease of access to JFK from points east of Queens and the NYC boroughs via mass transit, avoiding the expense of a taxi or Uber. More importantly, it enables me to travel at any time without inconveniencing a friend for a ride to or from the airport. It is also more economical and spares me the time and expense of driving myself to the airport and paying for long-term parking.
In my experience, the AirTrain JFK is the fastest and most reliable way to reach the airport from Long Island, easily connecting to all terminals via New York’s public transit at Jamaica, and operating 24/7, 365 days a year. I simply board a westbound train via the LIRR, get off at Jamaica, take the escalator up to the AirTrain, pay the $8.50 fee and get on the AirTrain. The fast 8-mile long elevated rail link conveniently stops at each of JFK’s terminals typically every 7-15 minutes, but sometimes 10-20 minutes depending on the time of day.
Getting to LaGuardia from points east of the Queens borough is a bit more like ‘jumping through hoops.’ Having avoided LGA over the last 15 years or so, and since its awe-inspiring $8 billion redevelopment, in April 2025, I decided to book my planned round-trip flight from LGA to Love Field, Dallas. While looking for the most convenient transportation to the airport for my early morning flight, I searched for the most seamless mass-transit/ commuter option. This option entailed finding a train on the LIRR to take me directly to Woodside, without having to transfer at Jamaica, then getting off at the Woodside platform, walking down the stairs with my luggage to pick up the free Q70 bus at Roosevelt Ave. and 61st Street. From there, I learned that the 3.5-mile ride would typically take between 14 and 26 minutes, though traffic could significantly extend travel time, sometimes to 45 minutes or more, especially during peak hours.
With an uncertain time frame, I opted to book an Uber for roughly $90 one-way. Before doing so, a friend graciously offered to drive my husband and me instead. He picked us up, and the ride through rush hour traffic took us about 75 minutes to LGA’s Terminal B. Okay, outside of my friend’s 2-hour ride back to his home, the rest went well.
The option of transport home from LaGuardia after our trip back via mass transit would prove even more complicated, as my flight back to LaGuardia would arrive late Sunday night. I decided not to ask for, nor accept, a ride home from a friend at their inconvenience at that hour, or any hour in the future.
Getting off a plane at 10:30 pm after a flight from Dallas, picking up my luggage from baggage claim, finding and waiting for a Q70 bus outside the terminal at night, then the trip to the Woodside LIRR, with the probability of having to transfer at Jamaica for the final late-night leg of the train ride home? It’s just not feasible, especially when traveling alone.
Therefore, a week or two before my flight to Dallas, I looked into reserving my ride home to Long Island from LaGuardia via Uber, or risking a taxi that late Sunday night outside the terminal. However, because of my flight’s weekend/off-hours arrival, I learned it might not be easy and that the fare could cost nearly as much as a round-trip ticket. For convenience, comfort, and security, I pre-booked a private livery service for $189 for the one-way trip home (not including tip). When I checked, this price was comparable to what an Uber or taxi would have cost.
Since then, and moving forward, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently announced the approval of a record $45 billion Capital Plan for 2026-2035 detailing infrastructure renewals. This plan states that it will include a “world-class new bus terminal, airport transformations and major path service increases” and drive “Finishing the job to make a vastly improved experience at LaGuardia even better includes; The plan also funds a vastly improved fast, free and frequent LGALink Q70 bus service with a new bus lane on the BQE and new on-airport bus stop. Work will also be completed on a new taxi hold lot at Terminal B, with amenities including new restrooms and prayer space for drivers.”
At the aforementioned LGALink Q70 bus link, the Port Authority NY NJ Builds – A Whole New LGA: A FASTER WAY TO LGA, explains that the Port Authority, in coordination with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the NYC Department of Transportation, and the New York State Department of Transportation, is advancing a $160 million package of improvements to the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus line and states that these upgrades, the result of months of interagency collaboration, are designed to provide faster, more frequent, and more reliable service between LaGuardia Airport, the subway in Jackson Heights, and the Long Island Rail Road and subway in Woodside.
It also outlines that there will be:
- Traffic signals that prioritize Q70 buses on Roosevelt Avenue and Broadway to reduce travel time.
- An exclusive bus lane on the shoulder of the northbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway between Northern Boulevard and Astoria Boulevard to improve service reliability.
- Increased bus frequencies during peak periods (10:00 am to 4:00 pm), to accommodate growing ridership.
- A newly designated bus pick-up and drop-off area near Terminal C with direct, exclusive road access to avoid airport road congestion.
- Enhanced wayfinding and lighting at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av / 74 St (7, E, F, M, R) and 61 St-Woodside Stations (7, LIRR) to improve the customer experience.
- Upgraded branding and signage to highlight the enhanced service.
On my own behalf, and I think I can honestly say on behalf of the majority of Long Islanders, A Better Way to LGA is greatly needed and wanted. I hope the Port Authority’s future plan proves to be feasible for Long Islanders, as well as those who live within New York City’s five boroughs.
In the meantime, with the Port Authority’s often-recommended use of mass transit to the airport, AirTrain JFK will be my go-to.
