LaGuardia Airport Parking

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Guide to LaGuardia Airport

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the third-busiest airport serving New York and the 20th in the USA. Handling almost 30 million passengers a year, it sits on 680 acres (275 hectares) of land and employs over 11,000 people. Flights are dominated by Delta and American Airlines, which account for over half of all passenger travel and both airlines use LaGuardia as a hub.

When Delta chose LaGuardia in 2011, the airport saw total flights increasing by more than 60 per cent and destinations by more than 75 per cent. LaGuardia primarily focuses on domestic flights with popular destinations including Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte and Orlando.

Location of LaGuardia Airport

LaGuardia Airport is located just eight miles (13 kilometers) from midtown Manhattan in the borough of Queens, New York, in the 11371 ZIP code. It is easy to travel to New York City and you can do so by public bus, taxi, shared rides or through car rental, located in Terminal A in the Rental Car Shuttle Transfer Point.

Public buses run from LaGuardia to Manhattan, Queens and other locations with connections to the subway, Long Island Rail Road (LLIR) and the Metro-North Railroad. This is by far the cheapest mode of public transport, whilst it can easily be reached by car from Midtown via Long Island Expressway or Grand Central Parkway in under 30 minutes.

Metered taxi services are available at all LaGuardia Airport terminal buildings – there are typically no set fares to or from Manhattan, unlike the yellow cab rides to and from JFK Airport. You must remember to add on tolls and tips and bear in mind that prices and journey times can change greatly during rush hour. If you want to share a ride, you can also arrange this from the airport. You can also get between LaGuardia and JFK in around 30 minutes, since the latter, which is the city’s main airport, is only 9.5 miles (15 kilometers) south-south east of LGA.

History of La Guardia Airport

LaGuardia Airport opened in 1939 on the site of the old Gala Amusement Park and cost $40 million. The main terminal was Terminal A, which catered for international flights in the 1940s, Terminal B was opened in 1964, followed by Terminals C and D in 1983 and 1992 respectively. The airport has received criticism in recent years for its outdated facilities and poor services, but the current Governor has put plans in place to transform LaGuardia into a world-class transportation hub. These plans aim to unify the airport with a main Terminal B replacing the Central Terminal Building, better transport facilities and first-class passenger amenities. The $4 billion project is set to transform the airport and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

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Airport facilities

LaGuardia offers more than 150 dining, shopping and service options across its airport terminals, which are open from 4am to 11pm every day. Although it has often been criticized for its poor-quality amenities, LGA still has a lot on offer, with Terminal B having the widest variety of food and shopping options. Wherever you are in the airport, you are never far from somewhere to grab a bite to eat or a quick gift before you board the plane.

Redevelopment plans are underway to turn LaGuardia into a state-of-the-art international airport, including both internal and external improvements to the facilities and services.

Should you have any special requirements that need catering for at LGA, we advise you to contact customer services before you travel on +1 212 435 7000.

If you find yourself in the airport and in need of assistance, the Welcome Center is located in the arrivals level of each terminal and the Customer Care Representatives are easy to spot – just look for their distinctive red jackets.

• Short-stay parking

• Long-stay parking

• Hotels

• Transfers

• Information desks

• Shopping

  • Duty free

  • High-street brands

  • Newsagents

  • Convenience stores

• Food

  • Breakfast

  • Restaurants with world cuisine

  • Fast food

  • Cafés

• Drinks

  • Bars

  • Coffee shops

• Toilets

• Disabled access

• Baby-changing facilities

• Currency exchange

• Welcome Center

• Business lounges

• Trolleys

• Pet relief areas

• Charging stations

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LaGuardia Airport hotel and parking

Although LGA doesn’t have an on-site hotel, it does have a wide variety of options nearby. At just one mile (1.6 kilometers) from LGA airport you can park your car at the Marriott SpringHill Suites LaGuardia and relax in comfort the night before your flight. For those taking advantage of the ‘park, stay and fly’ package, there’s a free shuttle to and from the airport that runs every 30 minutes, as well as free high-speed WiFi.

If you are looking for luxury, The Courtyard by Marriott with its sundeck and outdoor pool offers the chance to start your trip before you step foot in the airport. At less than a mile (1.1 kilometers) from the airport with complimentary parking and a free shuttle service (every 15 minutes) on the day of your flight, you’ll be at the terminal building in no time.

For baseball fans, the ‘park, stay and fly’ package at the Holiday Inn is a must. You get a night in the hotel and up to seven nights parking in the package, after which a daily fee will apply to the parking space. At 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers) from LGA, it is also walking distance to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. If baseball isn’t your thing, there’s an indoor heated pool, a fitness center and cocktail lounge to help you relax before you trip.

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Top things to do in LaGuardia Airport

Todd English’s Figs Restaurant

Head to the famous chef’s restaurant in the Central Terminal Building for the kind of meal that surpasses your typical airport food. With attentive service and traditional food made from fine ingredients, it’s an excellent way to start your trip.

Airport Lounges

If you want to escape the din of the airport, you can pay a small entrance fee for one of the airport lounges. You’ll get a walk-in pass in Terminals B, C and D. The various lounges offer striking views, complimentary food and drink and free WiFi, so they’re a fantastic option for those who want to remove the stress-factor often associated with waiting around in an airport.

Visit the Marine Air Terminal

This art-deco terminal is on the National Register of Historic Places; to visit, you just have to hop onto the free airport shuttle bus. Built in 1937 to handle sea planes, it is home to the 236-foot (72-meter) long ‘Flight’ mural, the largest mural made in the Great Depression Era Work Projects. It is located on the waterfront just a few meters from the main airport.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

It’s well worth visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store to explore a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs all related to the museum and the world of art. Whether you are looking for something or just window-shopping, you can lose track of time in this fascinating store full of jewelry, clothes and keepsakes you’ll struggle to find elsewhere.

XpresSpa

If kicking back and being pampered before embarking on a trip is your style, this is the ideal place to do it. XpresSpa offer two sites where you can escape the chaos and enjoy one of the many services ranging from reflexology and massage therapy to facials and manicures. Both are located in Terminal C near gates 1 and 15.

Biergarten

If you fancy a beer before you board your flight, the Biergarten provides a list of craft beers selected by Brooklyn Brewery's master brewer, Garrett Oliver. It’s based in Terminal C in the food court and, as well as offering one of the best drinks in the airport, serves German-style snacks that are perfectly matched to the liquid menu.

Grab a custom burger by Pat LaFrieda

If you want the ultimate burger experience in New York, customize your own LaFrieda beef burger by choosing the size and toppings to suit your tastes. To top it all off, try one of their in-house milkshakes to wash it down. Taste of Pat LaFrieda is located in Terminal C and Terminal D for those who have passed through security.

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Top things to do near LaGuardia Airport

Queens

Named by Lonely Planet as their top destination of 2015, Queens is an increasingly popular tourist destination. It holds some of the best attractions from major league sports to a vibrant music scene, accompanied by a wealth of cuisine from all over the world.

LaGuardia Airport itself is located in Queens, so you can easily spend the day getting to know the area.

Citi Field

A trip to Citi Field, home of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) New York Mets, is a must for all sports fans. At only one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the airport, it hosts sports events, concerts and a wide range of eateries for all palates. You can also swing by the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum and use the interactive touchscreens to find out about its 50-year-old history.

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

If you have time to kill and fancy a stroll through the park, travel the one mile (1.6 kilometers) to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. It is home to the Queens Museum, Queens Botanical Garden, New York Hall of Science, Citi Field and the famous Unisphere sculpture. If you fancy more than a stroll, there are boat rides, bike rides and trails available and open to all.

Louis Armstrong House

Only a mile (1.6 kilometers) away in the neighborhood of Corona is the home of the late famed musician, Louis Armstrong. You can sign up for one of the tours that take you on a trip of Satchmo’s house accompanied by recordings of his music. Jazz-lovers shouldn’t let this one pass them by.

Flushing China Town

Jump on the Q48 bus to Chinatown in downtown Flushing, the original amongst many Chinatowns in Queens. Known across the Big Apple as the liveliest of all the Chinatowns, you can spend hours wondering the streets, taking in the sights and eating flavorful oriental food.

New York Hall of Science

The New York Hall of Science, or NYSCI as it’s also known, has over 400 science exhibitions for those who prefer a geeky day out. It’s a fantastic option for all the family with endless activities, including a huge science playground, for children. It’s an ideal way to pass the time if you’re traveling with kids.

Museum of the Moving Image

At less than four miles (6.4 kilometers) from the airport, the Museum of the Moving Image is a necessity for anyone interested in filmmaking, video and television. Take in over 100,000 artefacts, have a go at film editing or, if you have more time, see what’s screening and take in more moving images than you can handle.

See the animals at Bronx Zoo

Why not visit the largest metropolitan zoo in the USA? Luckily for you, it’s only six miles (9.7 kilometers) from the airport.

Stroll through the 265 acres (107.2 hectares) of park lands and take in the world-renowned collection of 6,000 animals and exhibitions. It’s worth bearing in mind that it can get crowded on Wednesday when admission is free.

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Which terminal?

LGA Airport has four terminals that are all connected by buses and walkways and some of them are maintained and managed by the airlines themselves. Terminals A and D and most of Terminal C are operated by Delta Air Lines, with Terminal B under direct Port Authority operation.

For a full list of which airlines operate at LaGuardia airport, simply check on the LaGuardia airport website.

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How to get to LaGuardia Airport

Car

LaGuardia Airport is located in the borough of Queens, New York, in the 11371 ZIP code. It is geographically the closest airport to Manhattan, but this does not mean it’s the easiest to reach. From Midtown, you can go down the Midtown Tunnel, take the Long Island Expressway to the Grand Central Parkway and, on a good day, you'll be at LaGuardia Airport in about 35 minutes.

It’s easy to find and well-signposted, but one thing to consider is that any problems that might arise are likely to be related to the redevelopment of the airport, so it’s advised to check your route before setting off.

Bus and subway

You can reach LGA by subway and bus from the center of New York. For those who have MetroCards, there is a free bus service connecting the airport to the subway. Here you have a map showing the lines that connect to the airport, with the closest ones being E, F, M, R and 7. Take the subway to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave or 74th St/Broadway and, from there, catch the Q70 bus to Terminals B, C and D or the Q47 to Terminal A.

The subway isn’t really the best mode of transport if you’ve got a lot of luggage to carry, since it can become quite crowded.

Shared ride and private hires

There are many airport shuttle services that provide rides to the airport from the surrounding areas. You can also book cars with the likes of Uber, Lyft, Via and Gett for LGA Airport. For a list of services and contact numbers, use the contact numbers on the airport website.

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Useful tips

Avoid busy times and queues

At the Central Terminal Building checkpoints, the busiest times are Monday mornings and Friday afternoons. All concourse checkpoints are busy from around 5am to 11am and noon to 4pm. Concourse D (American) is particularly heavy Friday after 3pm. With expedited TSA Pre-Check lanes, you may be able to avoid too much queuing. You can apply for it here.

Book a hotel for layovers

The airport has a reputation for being inundated with homeless people, having a lack of 24-hour services and having some of the terminals completely closed at night. You can avoid this by combining a hotel and parking package at LaGuardia to reduce cost and increase comfort during your layover.

Book into a lounge

LGA Airport isn’t famous for its excellent facilities and has been voted as one of the worst airports in the country. If you want to escape from the hum of passengers and the uncomfortable concourse chairs, check into one of the airline lounges. You can kick back and enjoy that extra space and peace and quiet and almost forget you are in the airport.

Pay attention to the terminals

It can be a nightmare navigating LaGuardia; the airlines use different terminals with their own security, so it’s important to pay attention. If you need to travel between terminals, keep an eye out for the four bus routes to get you around, but bear in mind that the Purple Route does not stop at Terminal A.

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LaGuardia Airport FAQs

Where is the best place to park at LaGuardia airport?

LaGuardia airport have a range of parking lots available year round, and Looking4.com can help you find the car park that best suits your needs. Availability is dependent on the time of year and the demand for spaces, so we always recommend pre-booking your space to avoid disappointment. This also means you avoid the expensive on the day fees the car parks can charge. The best place to park is what best suits your travel requirements, just simply fill in the form above to get a quote today!

How much does it cost to park at LaGuardia airport?

Parking lot costs at LaGuardia airport are often cheapest when booked in advance of arrival. To get the best and cheapest price, ensure to add your travel information to our quote form above and we will compare the lowest prices for lot spaces available.

How much does long term parking cost at LaGuardia airport?

Long term parking is often in high demand at LaGuardia airport, and so pre-booking a lot space is highly recommended. To avoid those high on the day fees, make sure to get a quote through Looking4.com. If you have your travel dates to hand, simply use our search function at the top of this page and we can compare many different parking lot options available at LaGuardia airport.