Travelling LaGuardia - Manhattan with children and bags

Question

I'm headed to NYC for a few days with my wife and two children (3 and 5). We'll have four days' worth of luggage, so probably two adult rolling suitcases and each child will have a child-sized rolling suitcase, plus a laptop bag and perhaps another carryon. We'll be arriving around 9am to LaGuardia and staying somewhere in Manhattan, probably either near Times Square or near the Natural History museum.

Given my mediocre experience in Philadelphia in a similar situation, I would like to know the basics for what I'll need to know to get into the city via public transportation. I read this question which gives me some clues for what buses to ride.

• Is a bus trip into Manhattan doable with bags and kids? Or am I better off just springing for the cab (particularly at that time of day)? Kids are used to riding buses if that is relevant.
• Can I buy a bus pass at the airport? (I couldn't in Philly...) Where? What kind of pass (We will likely be doing a lot of subway riding, if that's relevant)? Am I safe to assume that my two kids are free? The trip is in two and a half weeks, if that's relevant (for buying something ahead of time perhaps).
• Anything likely to confuse/surprise me when I try to get a bus? I'm from Chicago, so very familiar with buses, but tend to find Chicago far more organized than most other cities in that department...

Answer 1

You do not want to take a bus-only trip from La Guardia to Times Square; it would take too long. You will want to transfer to the subway.

I don't know about buying MetroCards at La Guardia, since I live in New York. Many years ago, I did once try to buy or refill one there, without success. I ended up taking a taxi (at the time I lived close to the airport, so it was maybe a $10 or $15 ride).

Still, with two young children, I would be very strongly inclined to take a taxi. However, if you're not in a terrible hurry and if it's not too crowded, you might be okay with the bus. Because you'll need to change to the subway, you'll want to be sure that you don't have too much luggage to move all at once.

The MTA has a brochure promoting the Q70 limited bus service, which connects with several subway lines serving midtown Manhattan. This brochure indicates that there are now MetroCard vending machines in the airport:

You can buy a MetroCard that gives you unlimited rides (that includes all free transfers). Or, you can buy a MetroCard with a specific number of rides that automatically gives you one free transfer every time you pay a fare. You can purchase MetroCard at MetroCard Vending Machines inside Terminals B, C, and D in LaGuardia Airport or at any NYC subway station.

"One free transfer" includes transfers between buses, or a transfer from bus to subway (or vice versa). Your children can ride without paying if they are 44 inches or shorter (that's 3' 8" or 112 cm).

My experience is mostly with the M60 bus, which goes to upper Manhattan, because it passes by where I used to live. It might help you if you're going close to the Museum of Natural History. The M60 has changed to a "Select Bus Service" line since I last used it, so the buses are longer (articulated) and the crowding problems may have abated somewhat as a result.

There are a few other possibilities, too; I usually use Google Maps to plan my rides on public transit, but you'll also want to check the MTA site, especially if you're traveling on the weekend. There are frequent service disruptions because of construction activities.

The Q70 Limited brochure indicates that these buses are designed to carry baggage, contrary to my (not-so-recent) experience with the M60:

To accommodate airline passengers, the Q70 LTD is outfitted with special luggage racks, so you can stow your bags as you travel on our comfortable, climate-controlled, handicapped accessible buses.

Answer 2

With two kids that have just gotten off a flight and a bunch of luggage, my vote would strongly be a taxi or car. It's going to be a long slow ride, worse yet if you transfer to the subway and have to get the kids and bags up and down the stairs and on and off of crowded trains. It's not a good way to start a vacation.

You might consider a car service instead of a taxi. The main advantage is a fixed price from LGA, so you'll know exactly how much it will cost regardless of traffic. Dial7 (with coupon) and Carmel are two of the larger operators. They'll run you about $30-$34 plus tolls and tip (so budget closer to $40). With these services, you book online or by phone in advance, let them know when you arrive, and a car will pick you up at a designated location at the airport's curb. Dial7 also has an app you can use to make the booking and let them know when you're ready to be picked up. Given the expected traffic, this should be cheaper than a taxi, and you won't be sitting there hearing the meter tick as you're in a traffic jam.

You could also take the bus into the city and consider a cab or car for the trip back to the airport depending on how the bus works out for you and how much time you have available.

If you do decide to take the bus, here are the rules about fares for kids on the bus and subway:

Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on subways and local buses when accompanied by a fare paying adult.

(the Q70 is considered a local bus)

Answer 3

As a New Yorker who has flown into LaGuardia multiple times, I cannot recommend a taxi or any other car service. The line for taxis is always incredibly long, and there are way too many cars trying to get in and out of the airport.

The M60 bus is perfect for your purposes. If you are staying at Times Square, take it to 116th St/Columbia University and transfer to the 1 train down to Times Square. If you are staying near the Natural History Museum, take it to Frederick Douglass Blvd/St Nicholas Ave, and then take the B or C train down to 81 St station.

You can buy a bus pass directly at the airport's bus stop. Try to bring cash/coins if you can, as the machines will occasionally not accept debit/credit cards. You must buy the ticket beforehand - because the M60 is an SBS (select bus service) route, you must pay offboard:

You pay your fare at the stop at either the MetroCard Fare Collector or Coin Fare Collector machine BEFORE boarding.

...

You don't give or show your ticket to the bus operator UNLESS you paid with coins and need a transfer. Please board at the front of the bus if you need a transfer.

Answer 4

I would suggest getting a cab it would just seem to be more convenient and you would also be rest assured and wouldn't worry due to baggage and kids as they wouldn't be getting up moving around or sitting elsewhere as you would be in a cab instead of a bus

Answer 5

I would not take public transportation with bags and kids. We were in NYC recently for a long weekend (no kids). We took a shuttle from LGA to where we were staying near Times Square. I think it was run by NYC Airporter. We had to wait a bit at LGA but the trip time from LGA to hotel was roughly 30 minutes on a Friday mid-day. Round trip was ~$50 for two adults. Enjoy your trip!