LaGuardia taxis are metered — unlike JFK's flat rate — so your final bill depends on traffic, distance, and the various surcharges NYC piles on.
Full cost breakdown for taxis
The meter starts at USD 3.00, then adds USD 0.70 per 1/5 mile (or per 60 seconds when moving under 12 mph). On top of the meter, expect:
- LaGuardia surcharge: USD 5.00 on every trip to or from LGA
- Rush hour surcharge: USD 2.50 (Mon–Fri, 4–8 PM, excluding holidays)
- Night surcharge: USD 1.00 (8 PM–6 AM)
- MTA state surcharge: USD 0.50
- Improvement surcharge: USD 1.00
- NY State congestion surcharge: USD 2.50 (trips that begin, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th St)
- MTA congestion toll: USD 0.75 (Manhattan south of and including 60th St)
- Tolls: charged at the driver's E-ZPass rate — the Queensboro Bridge is free, the RFK Bridge and Queens-Midtown Tunnel are not
- Tip: 15–20% expected
Those rates are the TLC's published schedule as of July 2026 and are revised periodically — check nyc.gov/tlc before you travel.
Price comparison by destination
| Destination | Taxi (meter + extras) | Uber/Lyft | Pre-booked transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown Manhattan | USD 50–70 total | Quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Times Square | USD 50–70 total | Quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Downtown / FiDi | USD 60–80 total | Quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Upper East/West Side | USD 40–55 total | Quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Brooklyn (DUMBO) | USD 55–75 total | Quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Astoria, Queens | USD 25–35 total | Quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| JFK Airport | USD 55–75 total | Quoted in app | Fixed, quoted at booking |
Fixed-price private transfer
LGA New York City Center
From€95for 2 passengers
Other destinations
The taxi column applies the TLC tariff over the road distance and adds the surcharges above plus a 15–20% tip. Uber and Lyft do not publish a fare table — the app quotes you before you confirm, and surges in rush hour and rain.
The budget option: Q70 + subway
The Q70 SBS bus is free to ride — you pay nothing at all to board it at the terminal. A single subway ride is USD 3.00 (MTA base fare, raised from USD 2.90 in January 2026), so the total cost to anywhere in Manhattan is USD 3.00. The trade-off is time — expect 50–80 minutes total — and it is not practical with heavy luggage.
Hidden costs people miss
The biggest surprise for visitors is how much the meter reading grows once everything is added. The USD 5.00 LaGuardia surcharge, the state and congestion charges and a 15–20% tip routinely add USD 15–25 to the fare, before any toll. Budget USD 50–70 for a realistic Midtown trip. Uber and Lyft can be cheaper off-peak, but surge pricing during rush hour or rain can push them above a metered taxi.