Table of Contents
Updated October 2026. Fares and construction notes checked this month.
LaGuardia and JFK sit about 10 miles apart, and no train connects them. That one fact decides how your LGA to JFK transfer goes.
The short version: a car is fastest, at about 30 to 45 minutes when traffic is light, and 60 to 90 minutes at rush hour. Public transit is cheapest: the free Q70 bus, the subway and the AirTrain cost $11.75 per person and take 75 to 90 minutes. There is no free shuttle between the two airports.
Our office plans LaGuardia and JFK runs every day, so we know where this trip goes wrong. Below you’ll find every option, what it costs now, and how much time to leave for a connection.
LGA to JFK at a Glance
| Option | Typical cost | Travel time | Best for |
| Q70 bus + subway + AirTrain | $11.75 per person | 75 to 90 min | Light bags, long layovers |
| Shared-ride shuttle | About $15 to $30 per person | 60 to 90 min | Solo travelers who book ahead |
| Uber or Lyft | About $40 to $70, more with surge | 30 to 60 min | Off-peak trips |
| Yellow taxi | About $55 to $75 on the meter, plus tip | 30 to 60 min | Walk-up rides with no app |
| Private car service | Fixed quote, locked when you book | 30 to 60 min | Families, groups, tight connections |
Transit fares come from the MTA and the Port Authority. The taxi range is our estimate from current TLC meter rates. Rideshare and shuttle prices change by the hour, so treat those as rough guides.
How Much Time You Need for an LGA to JFK Connection
Most people asking this question land at LaGuardia on a domestic flight and leave from JFK on an international one. The drive is the easy part. Baggage claim, a fresh check-in and a second security line eat most of the clock.
| Your situation | Leave at least |
| Carry-on only, domestic flight out of JFK | 3 hours between flights |
| Checked bags, domestic flight out of JFK | 3.5 hours |
| Checked bags, international flight out of JFK | 4 hours |
| Golf clubs, skis or other oversized bags | Add 30 minutes |
| Landing on a weekday between 4 and 8 p.m. | Add 30 to 45 minutes |
These are our planning numbers, not airline rules. Your airline’s bag drop cutoff for the JFK flight comes first, and for international departures it often closes 60 minutes before takeoff.
Watch for separate tickets. If both flights sit on one booking, the airline usually rebooks you when the first flight runs late. With two separate tickets, a missed JFK flight is your problem to fix and pay for.
Going the other way, from JFK to LGA after an international arrival? Add 45 to 90 minutes for passport control and customs before you even reach the curb.
Public Transit: Q70 Bus, Subway and AirTrain
This is the cheapest way from LaGuardia to JFK. It takes three rides:
- Q70 LaGuardia Link bus from your terminal to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av. It is free.
- E train toward Jamaica Center to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport. The subway fare is $3.00.
- AirTrain JFK from Jamaica Station to your terminal. You pay $8.75 when you exit the AirTrain at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
Tap the same contactless card or phone at each gate. Plan on 75 to 90 minutes door to door. A faster variation is to stay on the Q70 to Woodside and take the Long Island Rail Road to Jamaica, which costs a few dollars more.
The catch is luggage. You’ll face stairs, turnstiles and crowded cars, and rush hour makes all three worse. With a tight connection or more than one big suitcase, we would not take the chance. Fare details are on the official AirTrain JFK page and the MTA’s LaGuardia guide.
Is There a Shuttle from LGA to JFK?
Not a free one. The airports do not run a shuttle between LaGuardia Airport and JFK. What you can book is a shared-ride van from a private company. JFK lists Airlink New York and ETS Air Shuttle as its authorized shared-van providers.
A shared LGA to JFK shuttle runs about $15 to $30 per person and takes 60 to 90 minutes, because the van stops for other riders. Book ahead and check the pickup spot at your terminal.
Traveling as a group? A private Sprinter works like your own shuttle: one van, one group, no stops for strangers. Our Sprinter van airport transfer guide covers how that works.
Uber and Lyft
Rideshare from LGA to JFK usually runs about $40 to $70. Land at 5 p.m. on a weekday and surge pricing can push it near what a private car service costs.
At LaGuardia, follow the signs to the rideshare pickup area for your terminal. It is not always at the curb outside baggage claim, so expect a short walk with your bags. Off-peak, with light luggage, rideshare is a fair middle option.
Yellow Taxi
Every LaGuardia terminal has a taxi stand, and you don’t need an app. The fare is metered, so it climbs when the Grand Central Parkway or Van Wyck slows down. Under current TLC taxi rates, the trip includes:
- $3.00 to start, then 70 cents per fifth of a mile or per minute in slow traffic
- A $5.00 LaGuardia surcharge and a $2.00 airport pickup fee
- A $2.50 rush hour surcharge on weekdays from 4 to 8 p.m.
That usually lands between $55 and $75 before tip. Taxis suit solo travelers who want to walk out and go. At peak times, the line at the stand can take a while.
Private Car Service from LGA to JFK
A car service from LGA to JFK takes the guesswork out of the transfer. Your chauffeur tracks your flight, adjusts to delays, helps with bags and drives straight to your JFK terminal. You get a fixed quote when you book, and that price does not surge afterward.
Pick the vehicle by bags, not just by people:
- Business Class Sedan: up to 3 passengers and 2 bags
- Business SUV: up to 6 passengers and 5 bags, the right call for golf clubs or strollers
- Business Sprinter Van: up to 14 passengers and 15 bags
We see this trip booked by families coming off a Florida flight into LaGuardia and heading to Europe from JFK, and by corporate teams splitting across two airports. Tell us about oversized luggage when you book so we send the right car. Every ride is with a TLC-licensed, commercially insured chauffeur.
Want more room or a quieter ride? Our executive car service covers premium sedans and SUVs. For trips that start or end at JFK, see our JFK airport car service, and for big families or teams, read how to book a group airport transfer.
Traffic and Construction in 2026
Most drivers take the Grand Central Parkway to the Van Wyck Expressway. Weekday mornings from about 7 to 10 and afternoons from 4 to 8 are the slow windows.
LaGuardia’s new terminals are open. JFK is still mid-rebuild: the New Terminal One is now expected to open in early 2027, and Terminal 6 is under construction. Expect lane changes and detours on the roads near the JFK terminals, and leave extra time on the JFK end.
- Check your JFK terminal before you leave LaGuardia, since airlines move between terminals during the rebuild.
- Book a private car ahead of time to lock the price and the vehicle.
- Price shopping? Flights through Newark are sometimes cheaper, and a Newark airport car service covers that side.
- Connecting through Newark instead of LaGuardia? Our EWR to JFK transfer guide covers the longer drive and how much time to leave.
- Still choosing an airport? Our JFK vs LaGuardia vs Newark comparison lays out the tradeoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get from LGA to JFK?
By car, 30 to 45 minutes in light traffic and 60 to 90 minutes at rush hour. Public transit takes 75 to 90 minutes.
Is there a shuttle from LGA to JFK?
There is no free shuttle between the two airports. Private companies run shared-ride vans for about $15 to $30 per person, and groups can book a private Sprinter.
What is the cheapest way to get from LaGuardia to JFK?
The free Q70 bus to Jackson Heights, the E train to Sutphin Blvd and the AirTrain to JFK. It costs $11.75 per person and takes 75 to 90 minutes.
How much is a taxi from LaGuardia to JFK?
Usually $55 to $75 on the meter before tip, based on current TLC rates. Heavy traffic and the weekday rush hour surcharge push it higher.
Is 3 hours enough for an LGA to JFK connection?
Only with carry-on bags and a domestic flight out of JFK. With checked bags on an international flight, leave at least 4 hours, and more on separate tickets.
Is there a train from LaGuardia to JFK?
No direct train. You can ride the Q70 bus to the subway or to the LIRR at Woodside, then take the AirTrain from Jamaica Station.
Which Option Should You Pick?
- Long layover, light bags, tight budget: Q70, subway and AirTrain.
- Solo, off-peak, no rush: taxi or rideshare.
- Tight connection, kids, lots of bags or a group: a private car booked ahead.
Arriving early at JFK? It has lounges, food and plenty to fill a long wait. Our guide to JFK Airport covers what to know before you land.
Ready to book your LGA to JFK transfer? See your price online, or call or text our office any time of day.
