La Guardia Airport to MSG by Bus/Subway...Good Idea???? Please HELP

Hard2IMAGINE2007VIC

Hello Local NY PJ Fans....I am looking for a little advice.
I am coming to NYC for the first time (from Arizona) and I am staying close to the Madison Square Garden. I plan to be there for a few days and I am pretty much traveling light with a mid sized-backpack. I wanted to learn how to take the bus and subway system to navigate myself through NYC and was planning to get an unlimited ride 3 day pass for $22 but I was wondering if it was a good idea to be taking the Bus/Subway to get from La Guardia airport to the MSG area upon my arrival. On the NYC subway system site it says that it would likely take an hour to get there. I would be alone when I arrive and during my night day in NYC until my buddy arrives the next day. I am wondering if it is safe to be trying out the subway system alone around 7pmish when my plane arrives...or if spending $40 on a cab is a better deal? I really have no idea what I am getting into traveling to NYC and I am just hoping to get some feedback from some locals or those that have done this trip. Thanks for any help....

possomists

you would take the bus to astoria blvd, then the n or w to 34, not an hour, safe at all hours, but i would take a cab, fun way to come into the city, 20 minute ride maybe

MattyJoe

The subway is generally safe at any hour these days, especially around 7pm! The only time you'd ever have to worry about it is at, like, 2am or something. But even then it's more of a be alert thing than a watch your back thing. You'll have no problem. Taxis are very expensive and buses are kind of a hassle sometimes especially if there's traffic. I would recommend the subway, but do what you want.

Bathgate66

Hard2IMAGINE2007VIC wrote:

Hello Local NY PJ Fans....I am looking for a little advice.
I am coming to NYC for the first time (from Arizona) and I am staying close to the Madison Square Garden. I plan to be there for a few days and I am pretty much traveling light with a mid sized-backpack. I wanted to learn how to take the bus and subway system to navigate myself through NYC and was planning to get an unlimited ride 3 day pass for $22 but I was wondering if it was a good idea to be taking the Bus/Subway to get from La Guardia airport to the MSG area upon my arrival. On the NYC subway system site it says that it would likely take an hour to get there. I would be alone when I arrive and during my night day in NYC until my buddy arrives the next day. I am wondering if it is safe to be trying out the subway system alone around 7pmish when my plane arrives...or if spending $40 on a cab is a better deal? I really have no idea what I am getting into traveling to NYC and I am just hoping to get some feedback from some locals or those that have done this trip. Thanks for any help....

enjoy our great city.

http://www.hopstop.com

an invaluable resource,...

guacamolejoe

Hard2IMAGINE2007VIC wrote:

Hello Local NY PJ Fans....I am looking for a little advice.
I really have no idea what I am getting into traveling to NYC and I am just hoping to get some feedback from some locals or those that have done this trip. Thanks for any help....

I spent 45 years living in Astoria.Its safer now than its ever been. If your taking the bus & train you can stop in Astoria before you get on the N or W train and find yourself a greek cafe. Get yourself a gyro or some fantastic pastries! You won't be disappointed. Its the first thing I do when I travel back to the neighborhood, either that or PIZZA!

stickboy

MattyJoe wrote:

The subway is generally safe at any hour these days, especially around 7pm! The only time you'd ever have to worry about it is at, like, 2am or something. But even then it's more of a be alert thing than a watch your back thing. You'll have no problem. Taxis are very expensive and buses are kind of a hassle sometimes especially if there's traffic. I would recommend the subway, but do what you want.

yea and even in the AM hours when I get home from work its not bad and theres usually cops or undercovers out and about the stations and in the trains so dont worry. Once you get to a subway ask the token booth clerk for a subway map and you'll be fine

Get_Right

I think they have buses that run to grand central station in NYC. Much cheaper than a taxi

MattyJoe

Plus the Subway will give you a little culture shock
If you wanna be a mega tourist take a taxi.

SVRDhand13

guacamolejoe wrote:

I spent 45 years living in Astoria.Its safer now than its ever been. If your taking the bus & train you can stop in Astoria before you get on the N or W train and find yourself a greek cafe. Get yourself a gyro or some fantastic pastries! You won't be disappointed. Its the first thing I do when I travel back to the neighborhood, either that or PIZZA!

Yes! Grab some Greek food. I've visited Greece and honestly the food is just as good. Astoria is known for being the place Greeks go when coming to the US. Thats how my family got here.

meme

I usually take bus M60 from LaGuardia to Broadway and 107th, where I live. From there, subway train number 1 takes you directly to MSG. Absolutely safe. It would probably take you a little over an hour at that time. I personally think taking a cab from LaGuardia is silly, especially if you are travelling light.

nukeboot

I've stayed at LaGuardia airport hotels several times for conferences and have gone into the city every way possible. The fastest bus/train route I've found is the M60 bus to 29th ST and Astoria Blvd. and pick up the N train from Queens to the Manhattan from there. Just take it to 34th St/Herald Square and you'll be a block away from the Garden.

But honestly, it's a pretty unpleasant way to get into the city after a day of travelling.

I'd skip the cab though and go with car service. Carmel offers a really good deal from LGA to Manhattan at $28 before 8pm, $35 after that. And it's nice to have a car waiting for you.

http://www.carmellimo.com

Hard2IMAGINE2007VIC

Thanks for all the great feedback. I think I will jump right into the NYC culture and hop on the subway to get to MSG area upon arrival.

HushBull

nukeboot wrote:

I've stayed at LaGuardia airport hotels several times for conferences and have gone into the city every way possible. The fastest bus/train route I've found is the M60 bus to 29th ST and Astoria Blvd. and pick up the N train from Queens to the Manhattan from there. Just take it to 34th St/Herald Square and you'll be a block away from the Garden.

But honestly, it's a pretty unpleasant way to get into the city after a day of travelling.

I'd skip the cab though and go with car service. Carmel offers a really good deal from LGA to Manhattan at $28 before 8pm, $35 after that. And it's nice to have a car waiting for you.

http://www.carmellimo.com

What he said.

triangleman12

walk fast!

sward

I've always just hopped a cab. It never costs that much from Laguardia to most spots in Manhattan. I think I paid 22 bucks last time for me and my wife to go to 42st area. Tonnes of shuttles as well, that you pay 10-12 bucks a head.

http://www.nyairportservice.com/

But that said, always useful to go with the advice of those who live there.

NY PJ1

Hard2IMAGINE2007VIC wrote:

Hello Local NY PJ Fans....I am looking for a little advice.
I am coming to NYC for the first time (from Arizona) and I am staying close to the Madison Square Garden. I plan to be there for a few days and I am pretty much traveling light with a mid sized-backpack. I wanted to learn how to take the bus and subway system to navigate myself through NYC and was planning to get an unlimited ride 3 day pass for $22 but I was wondering if it was a good idea to be taking the Bus/Subway to get from La Guardia airport to the MSG area upon my arrival. On the NYC subway system site it says that it would likely take an hour to get there. I would be alone when I arrive and during my night day in NYC until my buddy arrives the next day. I am wondering if it is safe to be trying out the subway system alone around 7pmish when my plane arrives...or if spending $40 on a cab is a better deal? I really have no idea what I am getting into traveling to NYC and I am just hoping to get some feedback from some locals or those that have done this trip. Thanks for any help....

just cab it from there,,, if it was jfk different story
spend the 45 bucks on a cab trust me

nuzpaper

how about a cheap way from Newark?

sward

NY PJ1 wrote:

just cab it from there,,, if it was jfk different story
spend the 45 bucks on a cab trust me

I'll only add this...it has never cost me more than 22-25 bucks to various midtown points. It is significantly more expensive from JFK. Might be different if you were way uptown or way downtown, I am not sure, as I have never taken them there, but midtown has never been that expensive to me. Oh, and there's something about taking the tunnel across. The last cabbie I went with took the tunnel and said it is quicker but that a lot of cabbies will go across one of the bridges and it can be a little more. Anyone confirm this?

ashtrayrock

ive done the bus to the subway many times and it's very easy...the bus ends at the subway line in queens and it's one train into manhattan

save your money for beer

NY PJ1

sward wrote:

I'll only add this...it has never cost me more than 22-25 bucks to various midtown points. It is significantly more expensive from JFK. Might be different if you were way uptown or way downtown, I am not sure, as I have never taken them there, but midtown has never been that expensive to me. Oh, and there's something about taking the tunnel across. The last cabbie I went with took the tunnel and said it is quicker but that a lot of cabbies will go across one of the bridges and it can be a little more. Anyone confirm this?

im sorry you're right jfk is 45 flat fare to anywhere in nyc


even more reason to take a cab lol

NY PJ1

ashtrayrock wrote:

ive done the bus to the subway many times and it's very easy...the bus ends at the subway line in queens and it's one train into manhattan

save your money for beer

$ 4 bucks to lug your bags on mass. trans or 22-25 for a cab...

cab it

rival.

cab it. you can't beat the flat fare and they are dropping you off on the door step. no need to lug your bags around on a hot NYC day if you don't need to.

ashtrayrock

NY PJ1 wrote:

$ 4 bucks to lug your bags on mass. trans or 22-25 for a cab...

cab it

luggage for 2 nites in nyc is minimal at best

carry on man

edit to include beer money stats
8$ vs $50
=$42 savings

plus once you have done it once youll do it everytime you hit that airport. i have never taken a cab from laguardia into the city. but thats just me!

sk8nshoot1

For your first time in NYC you need to take the cab... For $25 bucks or so, tell him to take the Grand Central to the BQE to the LIE and then you want to take the 59th street bridge upper level into midtown. It's the best view going into mahattan there is....

I recommend that for any first timer to the Big Apple...

Mudfest

thanks for the thread....good info

Muddy

NY PJ1

ashtrayrock wrote:

luggage for 2 nites in nyc is minimal at best

carry on man

edit to include beer money stats
8$ vs $50
=$42 savings

plus once you have done it once youll do it everytime you hit that airport. i have never taken a cab from laguardia into the city. but thats just me!

if your making the trip for a concert,,,,$42 shouldnt matter too much

iheartpearljam

I have to strongly disagree with everyone who suggests to take a cab. The original poster said he had minimal bags and it is just a waste of money to use a cab when one of the best things about NYC is the mass transit. You can take the M60 bus to the N in Queens or just take it all the way to the city (crossing the Triboro bridge is fun!) and take the subway from 125th street, which is where the M60 crosses Manhattan. You get a glimpse of Harlem, which you would probably not see otherwise, you get the immerse yourself in public transportation and if you want, you could eat one of the best meals around at one of SEVERAL legendary Harlem resturants. I would say get off the bus at Lenox, get some fried chicken at Sylvia's and then take the 2 or 3 train to 34th street. You have a full tummy, have used mass transit, done some sight seeing and spent next to nothing. AND it is a green option to boot!! Have a great time in our wonderful city!!

juliefer

nuzpaper wrote:

how about a cheap way from Newark?

I'm not from NY but I'm visiting there in a couple of weeks and have been doing my research, if I'm wrong, let me know, but it looks to me like the easiest and cheapest way to get from Newark to midtown (we're staying around 42nd st and 10th ave) is taking this bus:

http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/

it's $15 one way or $25 round trip and all you have to do is sit there, no transfers or anything. leaves every 15 minutes or so.

nukeboot

If you do take a bus/train into the city or plan to use either while in NYC, you can grab a Metrocard at any newstand at the airport. Saves you having to figure out the vending machines at the subway station and you'll be ready to hop the bus without worrying about having cash ready.

Have a safe trip and see you at the Garden!

SD Canadia

juliefer wrote:

I'm not from NY but I'm visiting there in a couple of weeks and have been doing my research, if I'm wrong, let me know, but it looks to me like the easiest and cheapest way to get from Newark to midtown (we're staying around 42nd st and 10th ave) is taking this bus:

http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/

it's $15 one way or $25 round trip and all you have to do is sit there, no transfers or anything. leaves every 15 minutes or so.

I've always just hopped the train from the Newark airport. Takes you to Penn Station which is directly below MSG.

Reverb

The original poster also mentioned that he has no idea what he's getting into here in NYC.

If one of my family members from out of town were coming in, there's no way I'm telling them to find the bus and transfer to the right train, then walk some distance. Or trapse around harlem & 125th street. The risk of getting on the wrong bus, train, or getting lost in the mix is high with someone unfamiliar with NYC transit.

From LaGuardia I would recommend cab. The ride is faster, more direct, and will cost you $25. You still see stuff, same as the bus.

From Newark Airport, the train is great option. The Airtrain to the Newark Airport train station, then NJ Transit train into NY Penn Station (at MSG). Fare is $15, same as the coachUSA bus.

http://panynj.gov/airtrainnewark/