Navigating between LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of the most challenging airport transfers in the greater New York City area. The two airports are located in entirely different states — LGA in Queens, New York, and EWR in Newark, New Jersey — with approximately 33 miles of urban congestion separating them. While the distance may seem short, the journey is anything but simple.
Travelers often face a choice between convenience, cost, and reliability, each option bringing a different balance of these priorities. In this guide, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of the best way to get from LaGuardia to Newark International, based on updated traveler feedback, logistical data, and real-world experience.
Why This Route is Notoriously Difficult
The lack of direct transit between these two major airports is a key reason why this connection is fraught with complexity. LaGuardia offers no subway access, and Newark, while better connected via NJ Transit, is separated from New York by tunnels, tolls, and potentially hours of traffic.
Additionally, travelers making this journey are often on tight schedules, particularly when using LGA as a stopover before catching an onward flight from EWR. That introduces high risk: even a 20-minute delay departing LGA can cascade into missed trains, long waits, or expensive backup plans.
Fastest Option: Private Car or Rideshare
If your top priority is speed and simplicity, hiring a private car or taking an Uber or Lyft is, without question, the most straightforward method. However, it comes at a steep cost.
- Estimated travel time: 60–90 minutes depending on traffic
- Cost: $125–$160 (as of early 2025)
- Services: Uber, Lyft, Carmel, Revel, local yellow taxis
This route typically involves traveling over the RFK Bridge, then merging into Manhattan’s congested streets or skirting through I-278 and the Holland Tunnel into New Jersey. While technically efficient, the variable traffic conditions can double travel time without warning.
Pros
- Door-to-door convenience
- No need to transfer or haul luggage through stairs/escalators
Cons
- Price volatility due to surge pricing or tolls
- Severe traffic delays can derail timing
For travelers with more than one checked bag or children, this is also the least physically stressful option.
Most Affordable Method: Public Transportation
Budget-conscious travelers often opt for public transit — but this requires patience, stamina, and a backpacker’s mindset. The journey will take up to two hours, possibly more during rush hour, and involves at least three transfers.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- Take the Q70-SBS (Select Bus Service) from LGA to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue (12–15 minutes, free for MetroCard users)
- Board the E subway train toward World Trade Center and disembark at Penn Station in Manhattan (approx. 23 minutes)
- Buy a ticket for NJ Transit to Newark Liberty International Airport Station ($15.25)
- Transfer to the AirTrain Newark, which connects to all airport terminals (included in fare, adds 15–20 minutes)
Total fare: under $20
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Avoids vehicle traffic once on the train
Cons
- Involves multiple transfers and stairs
- Not recommended with large luggage
- Potential for delays, especially on the subway
This route becomes particularly risky if you have a connection window under 3.5 hours. One delay in the system — a stalled E train or a late NJ Transit departure — could unravel the entire plan.
Compromise Option: Taxi + Train
An increasingly popular middle-ground option is to take a taxi or Uber to Penn Station, then continue via NJ Transit.
- LGA to Penn Station (Manhattan): 30–45 minutes, $50–$65
- NJ Transit to Newark Airport Station: 25 minutes, $15.25
- AirTrain to Terminal: 15 minutes
This hybrid approach reduces luggage strain and transit complexity, while controlling costs.
Ideal For:
- Solo travelers or couples with one carry-on each
- Moderate budgets
- Flight layovers exceeding 4 hours
Avoid If:
- You arrive in NYC during rush hour (7:30–10:00 AM or 4:00–7:00 PM)
What Frequent Travelers Say
The Reddit community’s consensus is clear: if you can avoid this transfer entirely, do so. Experienced travelers describe it as “stress-inducing,” “not worth the savings,” and “one of the most insane ideas in NYC travel.” The most consistent warning is that a 2-hour buffer is insufficient.
One frequent contributor noted:
“Trying to go from LGA to EWR to catch a flight is probably one of the most stressful things I could try to think of to do in New York City. It is simply not worth it.”
Another said:
“Never, I mean never, fly into NYC unless your destination is NYC or Long Island. The ‘savings’ or ‘free ticket’ is lost when you pay to get back to NJ.”
These testimonials reflect lived experience and highlight the reality of over-optimistic cost savings. While it may seem appealing to use points to fly into LGA and a cheap fare from EWR, the real-world risks — especially weather delays, traffic, and time pressure — are significant.
The Luggage Factor
Your luggage determines much of your decision-making power. If you’re traveling with a backpack or one carry-on, public transport becomes viable. If you have checked baggage, strollers, or more than two bags, public transit becomes cumbersome and even unsafe in crowded areas or stair-filled stations.
Rolling large suitcases from Roosevelt Avenue to Penn Station, and then navigating the AirTrain, is not for the faint of heart. In such cases, even a $150 Uber might be the wiser choice.
Is It Worth Changing Airports to Save Money?
For some, the reason behind the LGA-EWR journey is pure economics. A free Southwest flight to LGA plus a cheaper international or domestic flight out of EWR looks good on paper. However, the hidden costs — transportation, time, and stress — often erase those savings.
Unless you’re saving several hundred dollars, this connection is rarely worth it.
In fact, travelers suggest considering:
- Booking a direct flight into EWR (especially from Denver, Chicago, Houston)
- Flying Southwest into Philadelphia (PHL) or Baltimore (BWI) and connecting via Amtrak
- Using Southwest points at another time when the connection is more practical
Conclusion: The Best Way Depends on Your Priorities
If your priority is simplicity and you’re traveling light, public transport is doable but not ideal under time constraints. If you’re carrying multiple bags or have less than 4 hours between flights, hire a car and accept the cost as part of your itinerary.
If you’re flying into LaGuardia and out of Newark on the same day, we recommend:
- Allow at least 5 hours between flights
- Use a hybrid route: car to Penn Station, train to EWR
- Prepare backup options: Uber apps installed, printed transit maps, and NJ Transit schedule screenshots
It’s not a transfer for the inexperienced traveler — but with planning, and a bit of patience, it can be pulled off.
