How to reach New York from LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

The 5 main methods to go from LGA (LaGuardia Airport) to Manhattan (NY City Centre) are:

1. Subway (+ bus)

Introduction: you must use the bus around the clock to get to the nearest metro station.
Price: $2.75 (general ticket). Children under 5 years-old travel for free. If you pay the bus by cash - ask the driver for free metro transfer ticket.
Time to get to Manhattan: about 40 minutes.
Possible delay in rush hour: minimal.
Description: airport (except terminal A) is served by the new high-speed bus Q70 (launched in September 2013). For terminal A, the bus number is Q47. Transfer to the subway at the same station. There are only two bus stops (the first is used to transfer to the subway, and the second for the train LIRR, which we do not need to concern ourselves with). So alight at the first stop (approximately takes 10 minutes to arrive): Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av (lines  E   M   F   R   7 ). Use the link below to plan your route and choose the most suitable subway line.
Alternatively, there are many other buses, which will get to the subway. If a site that is listed below, you list LGA Terminal X as the point of departure and you will be able to observe all the other available options.
Additional Information: use this site to plan your route, point of arrival (starting point: Jackson Heights) and click "Map" to view the best route.
The journey back: the subway to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av (lines  E   M   F   R   7 ), and then take bus Q70 (or Q47, if you are going to terminal A).

2. Taxi

Price: about $40 to go downtown.
Time to get to Manhattan: 20 minutes.
Possible delay in rush hour: up to one hour (from 7 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday).
Description: this is the fastest way to travel around New York. This way is easier to use if you are traveling with other people and luggage.
Additional Information: when ordering a taxi, you will be quoted a different price; as this does not include passages through the toll tunnels and bridges, as well as the mandatory tip for the taxi driver. To call a taxi just leave the airport and go to the street where you’ll find a taxi. You cannot call a taxi by phone in Manhattan and crowded places (such as shopping centers, airports, railway stations, zoos, etc.).
The journey back: if your hotel is in Manhattan - just go outside and wave to an oncoming taxi, or just ask the concierge at the hotel to do this for you.

3. Bus

Price: $13.
Time to get to Manhattan: 30 minutes.
Possible delay in rush hour: up to one hour (from 7 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday).
Description: as you exit from the airport, you will see the bus stop. Book online is better; as you will not have to queue. Buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi. This company provides buses for transfer between all New York airports, railway/train stations and the city center.
Additional Information: for details about bus stops in Manhattan, visit this website and select the route. Ticket purchased online is valid for 90 days.
The journey back: use the website, as indicated above, to see all the available routes.

4. Route Taxi

Price: from $12.
Time to get to Manhattan: about 20 minutes.
Possible delay in rush hour: up to one hour (from 7 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday).
Description: if you are more than 4 people, then this option is the most advantageous. You can choose different capacity buses (from 3 to 56 people), which will take you from the exit of the airport to any point in New York.
Additional Information: information about the company "Airlink NYC" and the services they provide can be found on this website.
The journey back: order a share taxi on their website which is indicated above.

5. Car Rental

Price: more details on websites of various companies.
Time to get to Manhattan: 20 minutes.
Possible delay in rush hour: up to one hour (from 7 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday).
Description: in the airport, you will find car rental companies. But we recommend pre-ordering online, so that the car will be ready for collecting you, and that way you can get a discount of up to 30%.
Additional Information: thanks to this website, you can compare offers from different companies and choose the car (or the rates) that you prefer. Popular companies: Budget, Hertz, Sixt, Avis and other.