$2.90 gets you from LGA to Flushing on the Q48
The MTA Q48 is the local bus that links LaGuardia’s Terminals A, B, and C to Flushing, Corona, and Citi Field for the standard $2.90 MTA fare. Think of it as the Queens shuttle, not your main Manhattan link. Riders report 25–45 minutes between LGA and Flushing–Main St, and that swing comes down to Queens traffic and how many stops are loaded.
The Q48 runs roughly every 10–15 minutes during the day, with stops at each terminal’s ground transportation area before heading out through local streets. It connects directly to the 7 train at Flushing–Main St, and you can tap OMNY or use a MetroCard when you board. If you’re spending time in Flushing or heading to Citi Field or the US Open grounds, this bus lines up better than forcing a transfer from the Q70.
Regulars split duties: Q70 for Midtown and Jackson Heights connections, Q48 for Flushing, Corona, or events by Citi Field. One frequent rider summed it up: the Q48 works well if your target is Flushing or Citi Field, but it’s not the play for Manhattan. With the same $2.90 fare as the subway, you’re trading speed for a one-seat local ride through Queens neighborhoods.
Watch out for event surges: after Mets games or US Open night sessions by Citi Field, the Q48 can show up already crowded and then crawl along Roosevelt Avenue. At peak weekday rush, that 25–45 minute trip can skew toward the long end because the route sticks to local streets. If your arrival lines up with those windows, build at least a 45-minute buffer to reach Flushing–Main St.
Step-by-step: using the Q48 from LGA
- 1. From Terminals A, B, or C, follow signs for “Buses” and “Public Transit” down to the curbside stops.
- 2. Look for signs marked “Q48 Flushing–Main St” and check the digital screen for next-bus times; you’re aiming for the Flushing-bound direction when leaving LGA.
- 3. Tap OMNY with a contactless card/phone or dip a MetroCard at the front door; fare is $2.90 and includes free transfers within the normal MTA window.
- 4. Stay on through Corona until the final stop at Flushing–Main St, where you can connect to the 7 train or LIRR if needed.
- 5. Heading to LGA, board any Q48 signed “LaGuardia Airport” from Flushing–Main St and allow 25–45 minutes, more if it’s rush hour or post-game traffic.
One last tip: if your end goal is Manhattan and you’re standing in Flushing, skip the Q48 + subway combo from LGA next time and use the Q70 straight to Jackson Heights instead.