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

Hard2IMAGINE2007VIC · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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

MattyJoe · May 2008

Plus the Subway will give you a little culture shock

If you wanna be a mega tourist take a taxi.

SVRDhand13 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

walk fast!

sward · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

how about a cheap way from Newark?

sward · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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 · May 2008

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

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

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