Are you ready for the big game, an epic concert, or an exciting event at MetLife Stadium? If you're flying into New York and landing at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), you're probably wondering: just how far is LGA from MetLife Stadium, and more importantly, how do I get there?
Navigating from an airport in one state to a major stadium in another can feel a bit daunting, especially in the bustling New York metropolitan area. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the exact distance to step-by-step instructions for various transportation options. Let's get you to the stadium smoothly and efficiently!
The Distance Demystified: LGA to MetLife Stadium
First things first, let's establish the geographical facts. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in Queens, New York, while MetLife Stadium calls East Rutherford, New Jersey, its home.
The driving distance between LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and MetLife Stadium is approximately 16 to 20 miles (25-32 kilometers), depending on the specific route taken and traffic conditions.
However, the travel time can vary significantly. While a direct drive might take 27-40 minutes in ideal conditions, traffic in the NYC metropolitan area can easily extend this to over an hour, especially during peak times or on event days. Public transportation routes, while potentially longer in terms of mileage, might sometimes be more predictable in terms of travel time due to dedicated rail lines.
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| How Far Is Lga From Metlife Stadium |
Your Transportation Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting from LGA to MetLife Stadium offers several options, each with its own advantages in terms of cost, convenience, and speed. Let's break them down.
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
Step 1: Assess Your Priorities – Time, Cost, or Convenience?
Before you even think about which mode of transport to choose, take a moment to consider what matters most to you.
- Are you in a rush? If time is of the essence, a taxi, rideshare, or a pre-booked car service will likely be your best bet, despite the higher cost.
- Are you on a budget? Public transportation will be the most economical choice, though it often involves transfers and longer travel times.
- Do you prefer convenience and ease? A direct taxi or car service offers door-to-door service, eliminating the need to navigate multiple transfers with luggage.
Once you have your priorities straight, you can dive into the specifics of each option.
Step 2: Choosing Your Ride – Detailed Options
Option A: The Speedy Sprint – Taxi, Rideshare, or Private Car Service
This is generally the fastest and most convenient way to get from LGA to MetLife Stadium, especially if you're traveling with luggage or a group.
Sub-heading: Taxis
- How to: Upon exiting your terminal at LGA, follow the signs for the official taxi stand. Only use licensed yellow cabs. There will be a dispatcher to assist you.
- Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 27-50 minutes, heavily dependent on traffic. On game days, this could be longer due to stadium-specific traffic.
- Estimated Cost: Taxis from LGA to MetLife Stadium typically range from $70 to $90, excluding tolls and tip. Always confirm the estimated fare with the driver before starting your journey.
- Pros: Door-to-door service, readily available at the airport.
- Cons: Can be expensive, susceptible to traffic delays, especially during peak hours or major events.
Sub-heading: Rideshare Services (Uber/Lyft)
- How to: Open your Uber or Lyft app. Select MetLife Stadium as your destination (address: 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073). The app will guide you to the designated rideshare pickup area at LGA.
- Estimated Travel Time: Similar to taxis, around 27-50 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Estimated Cost: Prices can vary significantly based on demand (surge pricing), time of day, and vehicle type (UberX, UberXL, Black). Expect anywhere from $70 to $130+. Uber's website suggests an average of $92 for an UberX.
- Pros: Convenient app-based booking, often slightly cheaper than traditional taxis, various vehicle options.
- Cons: Surge pricing can make it very expensive, still subject to traffic.
Sub-heading: Private Car Services/Shuttles
- How to: These services are typically pre-booked online or by phone. Companies like GO Airlink NYC or other local car services offer this. They will often meet you inside the terminal or at a designated pickup spot.
- Estimated Travel Time: Similar to taxis/rideshares, around 27-50 minutes. Shuttles might take longer if they make multiple stops.
- Estimated Cost: Can vary widely, from $120-$190 for a town car or shuttle. This often includes tolls.
- Pros: High level of convenience, comfortable vehicles, often ideal for groups, fixed pricing (usually).
- Cons: More expensive than other options, requires advance booking.
Option B: The Public Transport Prowess – Bus & Train Combination
For the budget-conscious traveler or those who prefer to avoid traffic headaches, a combination of bus and train is a viable option. However, be prepared for multiple transfers and a longer travel time.
Sub-heading: Route 1: Bus to Subway to Bus (More Complex, but an option)
This route involves several transfers and is generally less recommended due to its complexity compared to the bus/train combination.
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
- Step 2a: LGA Bus to Subway (Q70 LaGuardia Link Bus)
- How to: From any LGA terminal, take the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus (it's free!). This express bus will take you directly to the 61 St-Woodside subway station in Queens.
- Estimated Time: Approximately 20-30 minutes.
- Step 2b: Subway to Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT)
- How to: At 61 St-Woodside, transfer to the 7 subway line towards Manhattan (Times Square - 42 Street). Ride the 7 train to the 42 St-Times Square station.
- Estimated Time: Approximately 20 minutes.
- Step 2c: Walk to Port Authority Bus Terminal
- How to: From the 42 St-Times Square subway station, walk a short distance (a few blocks) to the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue.
- Estimated Time: Approximately 5-10 minutes walk.
- Step 2d: Express Bus to MetLife Stadium (Coach USA 351 Meadowlands Express)
- How to: From the Port Authority Bus Terminal, take the Coach USA 351 Meadowlands Express bus. This bus provides direct service to MetLife Stadium on event days. Check the Coach USA website for schedules, as service is event-specific.
- Estimated Time: Approximately 20-30 minutes, subject to traffic.
- Estimated Cost for this entire route: The Q70 bus is free, subway fare is around $3.00, and the Coach USA 351 bus is $18.00 round trip. Total estimated one-way cost: ~$21.00.
- Overall Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours+, depending on connections and traffic.
- Pros: Relatively inexpensive.
- Cons: Multiple transfers, can be confusing, not ideal with heavy luggage, bus service to MetLife is event-specific.
Sub-heading: Route 2: Bus to Train to Train (Often a more efficient public transport option for events)
This is generally the preferred public transport route for getting to MetLife Stadium, especially on event days when the special Meadowlands train service is active.
- Step 2a: LGA Bus to Subway/LIRR (Q70 LaGuardia Link Bus)
- How to: Similar to the previous option, take the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus from LGA to the 61 St-Woodside station.
- Estimated Time: Approximately 20-30 minutes.
- Step 2b: LIRR to Penn Station
- How to: At 61 St-Woodside, you can transfer to a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train to New York Penn Station. This is often faster than taking the subway all the way.
- Estimated Time: Approximately 11-15 minutes.
- Step 2c: NJ Transit Train to Secaucus Junction
- How to: From New York Penn Station, you'll need to take an NJ Transit train towards Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction. Look for trains displaying "SEC" on the departure board.
- Estimated Time: Approximately 10 minutes.
- Step 2d: NJ Transit Shuttle Train to Meadowlands Sports Complex Station
- How to: At Secaucus Junction, transfer to the special Meadowlands Rail Line shuttle train that runs directly to the Meadowlands Sports Complex Station (right by MetLife Stadium) on event days. There will be clear signage and staff to guide you. Important: This shuttle only runs for major events. If no event is scheduled, this leg of the journey won't be available, and you'll need to consider other options from Secaucus (like a local bus or taxi).
- Estimated Time: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Estimated Cost for this entire route: Q70 is free. LIRR fare to Penn Station, and then an NJ Transit ticket from Penn Station to Meadowlands Sports Complex, which will be a single ticket covering both NJ Transit legs. Expect a total fare of around $9-$16.
- Overall Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, depending on connections and wait times.
- Pros: Generally reliable once on the train, avoids road traffic, direct access to the stadium on event days.
- Cons: Multiple transfers, specific event-day train schedules for the last leg, not ideal with heavy luggage.
Option C: The Self-Drive Solution – Rental Car
If you prefer the flexibility of having your own vehicle, renting a car is an option.
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- How to: Car rental agencies are available at LGA. You'll need to drive from LGA to MetLife Stadium using GPS.
- Estimated Driving Time: As mentioned, 16-20 miles, 27-40 minutes in ideal conditions, but prepare for heavy traffic, especially near the stadium on event days.
- Estimated Cost: Rental car fees vary widely, plus tolls (expect significant tolls when driving through NYC and into NJ) and parking fees at MetLife Stadium (which can be $40-$60+ for events, often needing to be purchased in advance). Gasoline costs also apply.
- Pros: Flexibility, independence, ideal for multi-stop trips.
- Cons: Expensive due to rental, tolls, and parking. Heavy traffic can be a major headache, especially around the stadium on event days. Parking can be a challenge and expensive.
Step 3: Game Day Considerations – Plan Ahead!
Regardless of your chosen mode of transport, always factor in extra time when traveling to MetLife Stadium on event days. Traffic will be heavier, public transport will be more crowded, and security checks at the stadium can add to your entry time.
- Check Event Schedules: Verify the start time of your event and plan to arrive well in advance.
- Pre-purchase Tickets: For public transport, consider buying round-trip tickets in advance to save time. For parking at MetLife, it's often advisable to pre-purchase parking passes online.
- Stay Informed: Check real-time traffic updates (Google Maps, Waze) and public transport alerts (MTA, NJ Transit websites/apps) on the day of your travel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to getting from LGA to MetLife Stadium, with quick answers:
How to find the official taxi stand at LGA? Look for clear signage for "Taxi" or "Ground Transportation" outside each terminal. There will be a uniformed dispatcher to assist you.
Tip: Reading twice doubles clarity.
How to use the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus? Simply board the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus from designated stops outside your terminal. It's free and runs frequently to the Woodside-61st Street subway station.
How to buy a MetroCard for the subway? You can purchase a MetroCard from vending machines at any subway station entrance. Both single-ride and multi-ride options are available.
How to know if the Meadowlands train shuttle is running?
The Meadowlands Rail Line to MetLife Stadium only operates for major events. Check the official NJ Transit website (
How to pre-purchase parking for MetLife Stadium? Parking passes for events at MetLife Stadium are typically purchased in advance through the official MetLife Stadium website or Ticketmaster.
How to avoid traffic when driving to MetLife Stadium? To minimize traffic, try to arrive very early before the event starts. Consider using navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze) for real-time traffic updates and alternative routes.
Reminder: Save this article to read offline later.
How to get from MetLife Stadium back to LGA after an event? The reverse of the suggested routes applies. For public transport, take the Meadowlands train shuttle back to Secaucus Junction, then NJ Transit to Penn Station, LIRR to Woodside-61st St, and finally the Q70 bus to LGA. Taxis and rideshares will also be available, but expect long queues and potential surge pricing.
How to estimate taxi/rideshare cost accurately? For rideshares, use the in-app fare estimator before booking. For taxis, you can ask the dispatcher or driver for an estimated fare to your destination. Remember to factor in tolls and tip.
How to find out about public transport delays? Check the official websites or apps for MTA (for subway/bus in NYC) and NJ Transit (for trains and buses in NJ) for real-time service alerts and delays.
How to determine the best option for a large group? For larger groups, a pre-booked private van service or a larger rideshare option (like UberXL) might be the most cost-effective and convenient, splitting the cost among passengers. Alternatively, public transport can work but might be less comfortable with a lot of luggage.
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