LaGuardia Airport (LGA) offers one of the most convenient ways to travel to and from New York City. Following a multi-billion-dollar transformation, today's airport pairs modern terminals, local restaurants, and New York-inspired shopping with easy access to Manhattan and the city's surrounding neighborhoods.
From New York favorites and aviation history to traveler services and airport tips, here's everything you need to discover, navigate, and enjoy your time at LaGuardia.
LaGuardia is the closest major airport to Midtown Manhattan, making it a popular choice for business trips, weekend getaways, and domestic travel across the United States. While JFK serves as New York City's primary international gateway and Newark Liberty offers extensive rail connections throughout the Northeast, LaGuardia stands out for its proximity to Manhattan and extensive domestic flight network.
The airport's transformation has also created a new experience for travelers. Terminals B and C feature spacious gate areas, intuitive wayfinding, locally inspired restaurants, and public art that reflects New York’s culture and character. Whether you're visiting for the first time or flying home, LaGuardia offers a welcoming introduction to the city before you even leave the airport.
Did You Know? LaGuardia's Marine Air Terminal, built in 1940, is the airport's original terminal and home to Flight, a restored Works Progress Administration mural celebrating the golden age of aviation.
Today's LaGuardia reflects a different side of New York City. The airport celebrates the neighborhoods, local businesses, and creative energy that define everyday life across the five boroughs.
From neighborhood restaurants and independent retailers to public art and thoughtfully designed spaces, LaGuardia gives travelers a chance to experience New York before boarding their flight.
Our recommendations combine local favorites with places highlighted by our CLEAR Ambassadors, who help travelers through the airport every day.
New York's food scene is shaped by its neighborhoods, where pizza shops, delis, international cuisine, and local cafés sit side by side. LaGuardia brings that same spirit into its terminals with restaurants connected to the city's neighborhoods and culinary history.
Our CLEAR Ambassadors recommend several standouts in Terminal C. Start with Artichoke Pizza in the Food Hall near Gates 60–69, where the East Village favorite serves New York-style pizza, including its signature artichoke slice. Near Gate 76, Chuko Ramen & Sake brings its Brooklyn roots to LGA with a menu of ramen and sushi.
Dos Toros Taqueria, which opened its first restaurant near Union Square in Manhattan, brings its Mission-style burritos, tacos, bowls, and quesadillas to Terminal C. For a sit-down meal, our CLEAR Ambassadors recommend Prime Tavern on the upper level near Gates 80–89. The steakhouse was created for LaGuardia by chef Michael Lomonaco, whose career includes leading Windows on the World, the legendary restaurant once located atop the World Trade Center. Stop in for steak, breakfast, or a cocktail before your flight.
If you’re craving a classic New York bagel, H&H Bagels brings its Upper West Side roots to LGA, serving travelers near Gate D92 in Terminal C.
New York has long been home to independent bookstores, emerging designers, and inventive entrepreneurs. LaGuardia reflects that spirit with shops that bring pieces of the city's creative culture into the airport.
In Terminal B, browse McNally Jackson Books, the beloved bookstore founded in New York City, for bestsellers, local authors, and your next in-flight read.
Whether you have an hour before boarding or extra time between flights, LaGuardia offers plenty of ways to experience New York before takeoff.
If you're passing through Terminal B, take time to explore the airport's public art. Four site-specific installations created in partnership with Public Art Fund bring New York's creative energy into the terminal, including Jeppe Hein's colorful balloon sculptures and Laura Owens' two-story mosaic inspired by New York City.
Terminal B also delivers an unexpected spectacle: a cascading-water installation that combines lights, music, and video projections to transform an ordinary airport fountain into a dynamic indoor show—creating a memorable moment before takeoff.
If you're flying through Terminal C, look for public art curated by the Queens Museum. The installations throughout the terminal celebrate Queens, its communities, and the borough's history, offering another way to experience New York before boarding.
Terminals B and C aren't connected after airport security, so we recommend spending your extra time exploring the terminal you're already in.
Browse New York shops, try another local restaurant, or explore the public art before making your way to your gate.
Have several hours between flights?
LaGuardia's location puts Astoria and other Queens neighborhoods close to the airport, while Manhattan is accessible by taxi, rideshare, or public transportation. If you leave the airport, allow enough time for traffic, your return trip, airport security, and the walk to your gate.
If your connection is short, check your departure terminal and gate as soon as you land.
Terminals B and C aren't connected after airport security. If your next flight leaves from the other terminal, you'll need to exit the secure area, take LaGuardia's complimentary All Terminals Shuttle, and clear go through airport security again.
Whether you're visiting New York or heading home, a little planning can help make your travel day more predictable.
Get everything you need, exactly when you need it from home to gate with the free CLEAR App. Know when to leave with real-time traffic and airport conditions, get directions to the CLEAR+ Lane, view live security wait times, and pre-order your Starbucks to have it ready and waiting for pickup on the way to your gate. You can also book CLEAR Concierge in just one tap for a VIP travel day.
CLEAR+ Members can share up to five Holiday Guest Passes with friends and family, so they too can enjoy a seamless experience from home to gate with CLEAR+ during peak travel season. Guest Passes are available exclusively in the CLEAR App and ready to send by text, email, or social with just one tap.
From Travel Tuesday, December 1, through Thursday, December 3, new Members can get CLEAR’s best deal of the year exclusively in the CLEAR App. New Members can join CLEAR+ for $149 paid upfront (regularly $219) and add up to 3 friends or family members to their Membership for $79 (regularly $125) each. Holiday Guest Pass travelers will receive the offer too, giving them the option to turn their Guest Pass into a CLEAR+ Membership of their own. The three-day offer ends December 3.
LaGuardia offers a range of accessibility services, including accessible restrooms, companion care restrooms, service animal relief areas, and wheelchair assistance that can be arranged through your airline before your trip.
LGA also participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which allows travelers with non-visible disabilities to discreetly indicate that they may need additional time, assistance, or understanding. Complimentary Sunflower lanyards are available at the airport.
Travelers who may benefit from a quieter environment can also find sensory resources at LGA, including a sensory room in Terminal C after airport security and sensory bags in Terminal B.
LaGuardia has three terminals, but scheduled passenger flights currently operate from Terminals B and C. Terminal B serves Air Canada, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Porter Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, while Terminal C serves Delta Air Lines.
Airline assignments can change, so confirm your terminal before arriving and check LaGuardia's official airline directory for the latest information.
Unlike JFK and Newark Liberty, LaGuardia doesn't have direct rail service. The free Q70 LaGuardia Link connects Terminals B and C with subway and Long Island Rail Road connections in Queens, while the M60 Select Bus Service connects LGA with Upper Manhattan. Taxis, rideshare services, and private shuttles are also available.
Need to move between terminals? LaGuardia's free All Terminals Shuttle operates 24 hours a day and connects the terminals, parking areas, and other airport facilities.
The CLEAR+ Lane is available in Terminal C at LaGuardia, where Members can speed through security in under 5 seconds with CLEAR’s eGates. Not a CLEAR+ Member? Join today to turn travel days into great days.
Traveler Tip: Confirm your departure terminal before entering airport security. Terminals B and C aren't connected after security, so changing terminals requires exiting the secure area and completing airport security again.
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