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If you don't travel between New York's LaGuardia Airport and Midtown Manhattan often, the trek can be a little intimidating by public transportation — or expensive by private transportation. And that's exactly why the new Uber Shuttle might be the greatest thing since sliced bread. This not-so-revolutionary service saved me around $150 on a commute between New York's LaGuardia airport (LGA) and Grand Central Station. Here's how.
My Experience With Uber Shuttle From LaGuardia to Manhattan
There's nothing worse than opening a rideshare app and getting surprised by an expensive fare. That's the case I found myself in when I needed to make my way between LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B and Midtown Manhattan. Paying nearly $90 (plus a tip) to take an Uber or Lyft into New York City was not how I wanted to start my day.
Thankfully, I ended up lucking out. At the bottom of the transit options on Uber's menu of rideshare options was a service I admittedly didn't know much about until the rubber met the road: Uber Shuttle.
Uber Shuttle wanted just $9 to take me into the heart of NYC. I'm not one to turn down a good deal, so I jumped on it without hesitation. Approximately 40 minutes later, I was gazing up at Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building, and several other landmarks that decorate the area.
The service was so efficient and stress-free that I took an Uber Shuttle back to LGA later that day. I spent a total of $28.26 (fares plus tax and tip) on my commute — a far cry from the nearly $200 UberX or Lyft would've run me on the same round-trip when I needed to travel. And I didn't need to deal with rush hour taxi surcharges.
What Is Uber Shuttle?
Uber Shuttle is a new low-cost option between LaGuardia Airport and three points of interest in Midtown Manhattan. Uber-branded shuttle vans run every 30 minutes on two routes from 5 am to 11 pm:
- Route 1: LGA Terminal C (Door 9, Zone 8C/9A) –> LGA Terminal B (Level 1, Pillar 5/6) –> Grand Central Terminal –> Port Authority Terminal
- Route 2: LGA Terminal C (Door 9, Zone 8C/9A) –> LGA Terminal B (Level 1, Pillar 5/6) –> Penn Station
The best part about Uber Shuttle is that fares are fixed. Right now, you'll pay $9 per way, but this rate is promotional. Once the promo period ends, rates will double to $18 per way — arguably still a steal.
Related: How To Earn Marriott Points on Uber Rides and Uber Eats Orders
How to book an Uber Shuttle
You can book a ticket on one of these scheduled shuttles in the Uber app or the Uber website. Van capacity is limited, so it's helpful to book as far in advance as you can.
It doesn't matter where you start or end your journey so long as your origin or destination is LaGuardia Airport. Uber will give you walking directions to pick up the shuttle, which is a convenient feature.
Uber Shuttle results will be mixed in with standard Uber transit options. Once you tap on Uber Shuttle, you'll see timetables alongside the number of seats remaining.
After you book, your app will display a digital ticket that the driver scans before letting you in the van. It's that simple.
Pro Tips for Catching an Uber Shuttle
The Uber Shuttle was a stress-free experience, but there were a few things I wish I had known ahead of time to make it even smoother.
- Shuttles won't always arrive on time. On both rides, the shuttle arrived and departed a few minutes ahead of schedule. To be safe, be at your stop more than the five minutes in advance that Uber advertises.
- If you pick up your shuttle at LaGuardia Terminal B, don't go to the normal rideshare pickup spot. Uber Shuttles depart from Level 1, which is the level below baggage claim.
- The Uber app doesn't specify which side of the street you'll be picked up on in Midtown Manhattan, so keep an eye out for your shuttle.
The last point is important because this was the most inconvenient part of the journey. Uber suggested that the shuttle would pick me up from Grand Central Station at the corner of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. However, that's not where the shuttle picked me up; it parked a block east. It's just not too clear where you're supposed to position to catch your shuttle. And the in-app shuttle tracker stopped working when the shuttle got within a few blocks of its stop.
To that end, if you happen to take Uber Shuttle to and from Grand Central, this map should help you figure out where you'll get picked up or dropped off:
Final Thoughts
Uber Shuttle is a great, cost-effective way to get between LaGuardia Airport and Midtown Manhattan. You can't beat a $9 per-way fare, and booking a comfortable ride between those points of interest is easy.
There are a few kinks Uber could iron out — such as clearly spelling out where you'll get picked up in the city. This would alleviate a fair bit of confusion. Plus, I'd imagine it might be stressful to be wheeling luggage and realize your van is on the opposite side of the street and getting ready to leave.
But all in all, Uber Shuttle was a great experience. When more people find out about it, it could be harder to secure a seat, so be sure to book in advance if you're heading to New York any time soon.
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