La Guardia Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

LaGuardia has no direct train, but unlike many New York airports it has a real airport-area district just minutes away by car: Flushing and College Point, just beyond Citi Field, convenient for a dawn flight or a short layover. Anyone who doesn't want to feel isolated but still wants to keep the trip short chooses Long Island City, with the subway to Manhattan just a few stops away. Anyone visiting the city stays in Midtown, with theatres and shops within walking distance and the free Q70 bus to the Jackson Heights subway, or in Lower Manhattan for the historic downtown, accepting a somewhat longer transfer.

Airport area (Flushing and College Point)

Airport area · Taxi or rideshare 6-10 minutes from Flushing and College Point; no direct bus, a car is always needed.

Best for: Those with a dawn flight or a short layover who want the shortest possible trip to the terminal.

Pros

The shortest transfer of any area, just minutes from the terminal
Recently opened hotels, modern buildings with views over Citi Field

Cons

No direct bus or subway link, only taxi or rideshare
A residential and commercial area, little to do on foot in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

voco Fiorello - LaGuardia Airport by IHG: In College Point, about 7 minutes from the terminal, with a free airport shuttle and a restaurant overlooking the park.
The Westin Flushing LaGuardia Airport: In Flushing, next to Citi Field, a hotel opened in 2024 with soundproofed rooms and a shuttle to the terminal.

See more hotels in this area →

Long Island City

Neighbourhood · Taxi or rideshare 15-30 minutes from the airport, up to 45 at rush hour; the free Q70 doesn't reach this far.

Best for: Those who want to stay close to the airport but with the subway, restaurants and art galleries within reach.

Pros

Subway to Manhattan just a few stops away, better connected than Flushing
A growing neighbourhood, restaurants and galleries like MoMA PS1

Cons

A taxi or rideshare is still needed for the airport, no direct bus
Nightlife less intense than in Manhattan

Recommended hotels in this area

Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City Queensboro Bridge: Under the Queensboro Bridge, a few minutes from the subway to Manhattan, with a gym and bar open late.
Residence Inn by Marriott New York Queens: Rooms with a kitchenette 8 minutes on foot from the subway, convenient for families or multi-night stays.

See more hotels in this area →

Midtown and Times Square

City centre · Taxi or rideshare 25-60 minutes depending on traffic; alternatively the free Q70 bus plus subway, 40-50 minutes total.

Best for: Those visiting the city for the first time and wanting theatres, shops and the subway close at hand.

Pros

Walking distance to Broadway, the main theatres and several subway lines
The widest choice of restaurants open late

Cons

The busiest, noisiest part of the city, especially in the evening
Longer transfer than Flushing or Long Island City

Recommended hotels in this area

New York Marriott Marquis: In the heart of Times Square, with a revolving rooftop restaurant and direct access to several Broadway theatres.
Hampton Inn by Hilton New York Times Square: Two blocks from Radio City Music Hall, with breakfast included and one block from the subway.

See more hotels in this area →

Lower Manhattan (World Trade Center)

Neighbourhood · Taxi or rideshare 30-45 minutes under normal conditions, up to an hour at rush hour.

Best for: Those who want the historic downtown, Wall Street and the September 11 memorial, accepting a longer transfer.

Pros

Steps from the September 11 memorial and Battery Park
A quieter neighbourhood in the evening than Times Square

Cons

Longer transfer to the airport than all the other areas
Nightlife more limited than Midtown

Recommended hotels in this area

Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center, New York: Two hundred metres from Ground Zero, with a rooftop bar and a gym open 24 hours for those arriving with jet lag.

See more hotels in this area →