Landing at LGA and heading to Long Island or the suburbs?
Figure on an extra 10–20 minutes just for the Rental Car Shuttles at LaGuardia, before you even hit the counter. Shuttles run from all terminals (A, B, and C) out to the off-airport rental facilities, and riders report they usually show up every 10–15 minutes. This setup makes the most sense if you’re immediately driving to Long Island, Westchester, or upstate and plan to keep the car for your whole stay.
NYC locals on r/AskNYC are blunt: renting a car at LGA to go into Manhattan is “masochistic” thanks to parking fees that can hit $60–$80 per night and midtown gridlock. On top of that, tolls into Manhattan from Queens add several more dollars each way, and you still lose time in traffic compared with the subway, bus, or a yellow cab. For city stays, frequent business travelers usually skip rentals at LGA entirely and just grab transit or a taxi.
Shuttles pick up curbside outside each terminal, usually in clearly marked rental zones near arrivals at Terminals A, B, and C. Flyers on FlyerTalk note that the shuttle loop alone often adds 10–15 minutes in normal traffic, and that’s before waiting in line at the agency. Figure total “airport-to-driver-seat” time around 30–60 minutes from wheels down, depending on how fast you clear the terminal and how busy your chosen company is.
Pricing jumps around by company and date, and traveler reports don’t show any stable “typical” rate, so treat the cost as a big variable. Several Reddit threads flag weekend returns as a pain point, with long lines at big-brand counters when multiple flights dump customers at once. Build at least an extra 30 minutes into your return on Fridays and Sundays, more if you’re catching a tight evening departure from Terminal B or C.
Step-by-step: using Rental Car Shuttles at LGA
- 1. Book ahead: Reserve online with your preferred agency before you land at LGA; same-day walk-up inventory shrinks fast on Fridays and holidays.
- 2. Follow terminal signs: After exiting baggage claim in Terminals A, B, or C, follow “Rental Car Shuttles” signs to the curbside pickup zone marked for rental buses.
- 3. Catch the shuttle: Wait at the correct company stop; most riders report shuttles running every 10–15 minutes, but late-night gaps can be longer.
- 4. Ride to the facility: Stay on for the full loop to your agency’s lot; budget 10–20 minutes from curb to counter, depending on traffic around LGA.
- 5. Handle paperwork and pickup: Join the rental counter or preferred-status line, show ID and payment, then inspect the car and photograph mileage and any dings before leaving.
- 6. Returning the car: On the way back, aim to hit the rental facility at least 90 minutes before departure; that covers check-in, shuttle back to Terminal B or C, and security.
- 7. Final tip: If your hotel is in Manhattan below 96th Street, price out a taxi or AirTrain + LIRR combo before committing to a rental; many locals find the car loses badly once parking and tolls are added.