You've landed at Newark but your next flight leaves from LaGuardia, and now you have to cross the whole New York metro area with your bags. A Newark Airport to LGA shuttle is one of several ways to cover the roughly 24 miles between them, a trip that looks short on a map but runs 45 to 90 minutes once traffic, tolls, and two state lines come into play. There's no direct train, so every option involves roads or a string of transit transfers. This guide compares them and covers the timing that keeps you from missing your connection.
How to Get From Newark Airport to LaGuardia
Getting from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) means crossing from New Jersey into Queens, New York, a road distance of about 24 to 28 miles. In light traffic the drive takes around 40 minutes, but realistically you should plan for 60 to 90 minutes, since the route passes through some of the busiest corridors in the country and crosses a tolled Hudson River bridge or tunnel. There's no rail line connecting the two airports directly, so your practical choices are a shuttle, a private car, rideshare, a taxi, or a multi-leg transit trip.
Because much of the route runs toward and around Manhattan, some options pass right through the city core. If your plans also include a stop in Manhattan between flights, see How to Get From Newark Airport to Manhattan Easily for that leg. Here's how the main ways to reach LaGuardia compare:
|
Option |
Time |
Approximate cost |
Best for |
|
Shared shuttle |
60+ min with stops |
~$28–$45 per person |
Budget travelers with time to spare |
|
Private car / van |
45–90 min |
Flat rate, often includes tolls |
Groups, luggage, tight connections |
|
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) |
45–90 min |
~$100–$150, more with surge |
Solo travelers, couples, direct rides |
|
Taxi |
60–90 min |
~$95–$120 plus tolls |
On-demand, no app needed |
|
Public transit |
90 min–2 hours |
~$15–$18 |
Experienced transit riders, light bags |
Prices shift with demand, traffic, and tolls, so treat these as planning figures rather than fixed quotes.
Newark Airport to LGA Shuttle Options
A Newark Airport to LGA shuttle comes in two forms, and the difference matters for cost and speed. A shared shuttle van carries several passengers heading the same way, usually for somewhere around $28 to $45 per person. It's the most economical door-to-door choice, but the van makes multiple stops and coordinates around other travelers, so it takes longer than the drive time alone.
A private shuttle van, by contrast, carries only your party, often seating up to about 11 passengers with room for luggage, and goes directly between the airports without other pickups. It's a common pick for families and small groups because everyone stays together and gets dropped at their terminal. A Newark Airport to LaGuardia airport shuttle of either type should be booked ahead, especially for a same-day flight connection, so your pickup is confirmed rather than left to chance. Shared vans suit budget travelers with a comfortable time buffer; private vans suit groups and anyone connecting on a schedule.
Private Car Service and Transfers
A private transfer gives you a dedicated vehicle, a driver who meets you at the airport, help with luggage, and a direct ride to your LaGuardia terminal. For groups, travelers with heavy bags, and anyone on a tight connection, pre-booked transportation from Newark Airport to LaGuardia airport is often the most dependable choice. Pricing is usually a flat rate set by vehicle and passenger count, and reputable services build tolls into the quote, so you know the full cost before you land rather than watching a meter climb.
Flat pricing carries real weight on this route because it's toll-heavy and traffic-dependent. A metered taxi adds bridge or tunnel tolls and peak surcharges on top of the fare, and rideshare surges at busy times. A private transfer locks in both the price and the pickup, with drivers typically tracking your flight so the vehicle is ready when you arrive. Transpovia offers pre-booked private airport transfers on this route, taking you straight from EWR to your LaGuardia terminal. Booking ahead is especially useful for groups arriving together and for connections where the clock is tight.
Rideshare and Taxis
Rideshare is the most direct on-demand option, and both Uber and Lyft operate at Newark with marked pickup areas. Expect a standard UberX to run around $100, with an UberXL for groups closer to $120 and premium tiers higher still, based on Uber's own route estimates. Those figures rise with surge pricing at peak hours. A metered taxi covers the same trip for roughly $95 to $120, plus tolls and any time-of-day surcharges, which the airport authority notes can push the total above the base fare.
Both options are direct and terminal-to-terminal, which is their main advantage over a shared shuttle. The downsides are cost and unpredictability. The fare depends heavily on traffic and the crossing your driver takes, and neither the meter nor a surge fare can be pinned down in advance the way a flat quote can. For a solo traveler or couple who value a direct ride and aren't counting every dollar, rideshare or a taxi is simple.
Public Transit and the Budget Route
Public transit is the cheapest way across, at roughly $15 to $18, but it's also the most complex, largely because LaGuardia has no direct train of its own. A typical trip chains together several legs: the AirTrain and NJ Transit out of Newark, a PATH train or connection into the city, a subway across to Queens, and finally the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus, which is the dedicated free bus connection to LGA's terminals. Plan on about 90 minutes to two hours with transfers.
That works for experienced transit riders traveling light, but hauling checked bags up and down stairs across four connections is hard going, and any delay compounds across the legs. For travelers who prize budget over convenience and have plenty of time, it's viable. For a tight connection with luggage, it's rarely the right call. At the opposite end of the spectrum, helicopter charter services fly the Newark-to-Manhattan portion in minutes before a short car ride to LaGuardia, a fast but premium-priced option that a few time-sensitive travelers choose.
Timing Your Airport-to-Airport Connection
This route is usually about catching a second flight, and that changes the planning. If your two flights are on a single ticket with bags checked through, you mainly need to cover the distance with a sensible buffer. But if they're on separate tickets, you'll have to collect your checked bags at Newark, travel to LaGuardia, check in again with the new airline, and clear TSA security a second time. Each of those steps takes time on top of the drive.
For a self-connection on separate tickets, allow a generous cushion, commonly three to four hours between landing at one airport and departing the other, and more during rush hour, holidays, or bad weather when the drive alone can stretch well past an hour. The same considerations apply in reverse: a LaGuardia to Newark airport shuttle runs the identical corridor and timing, so give yourself the same buffer heading back. Confirm your departure terminal in advance, since both airports have been rebuilt in recent years and drop-off points have changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct train from Newark Airport to LaGuardia?
No. There's no rail line connecting the two airports, and LaGuardia has no direct train of its own. The closest transit route chains together the AirTrain, NJ Transit, a subway, and the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus, taking about 90 minutes to two hours. Most travelers use a shuttle, private car, rideshare, or taxi instead.
How much does a shuttle from Newark Airport to LaGuardia cost?
A shared shuttle van typically runs about $28 to $45 per person, while a private van is a flat rate for the whole group. Rideshare usually costs around $100 to $150, and a taxi roughly $95 to $120 plus tolls.
How much time should I allow between flights at Newark and LaGuardia?
For a self-connection on separate tickets, allow three to four hours or more. You'll need to claim bags, travel 24-plus miles across the metro area, check in with the new airline, and clear security again. Rush hour, holidays, and weather can all add time.
What's the fastest way from Newark Airport to LaGuardia?
In light traffic, a direct private car, rideshare, or taxi is fastest at around 40 minutes, though 60 to 90 minutes is more realistic at busy times. Helicopter charters are quicker but far more expensive. A pre-booked private transfer offers the most predictable timing.
Planning Your Transfer
Match the option to your situation: a shared shuttle if budget matters and you have time, a private car or van for groups and tight connections, and rideshare or a taxi for a quick direct ride. Since this is a toll-heavy, traffic-dependent trip between two airports, book your ride ahead and build in a real buffer. Transpovia's pre-booked private transfers take you straight from Newark to your LaGuardia terminal on schedule.
