LaGuardia Airport to USMMA

Would someone please tell me the least expensive way to travel from LaGuardia Airport back to the Academy gate? Thank you.

I could be wrong, but this is how we've done it. Taxi to Woodside train station, LIRR to Great Neck, taxi or bus to USMMA.

You can also take a bus to the train station at the airport.

We found the cheapest way is in fact a taxi from LGA to the nearest LIRR station....but in the end it is not much cheaper and way more a hassle for your son or daughter than spending the $35 or so for a prearranged ride from someone like Great One Limo. It's non-stop, no hassle and in the end only costs a slight bit more than the planes, trains and automobiles involved with a taxi from LGA to the LIRR. The LIRR to Great Neck. Then the taxi from the Great Neck LIRR station to USMMA.

Not to mention the time involved. We've done it both ways and the time and effort really wasn't worth the few dollars you may save.

DS has used Friendly Taxi many times. 25 dollars plus a 5 dollar tip. A couple of times he shared the cab with other Mids and split the 25 dollar charge.

Thanks to all who responded. Yesterday when my son returned, he asked someone for help and took the first suggestion which was a van at a cost of $55. I thought that was a bit pricey. After some research, I found a post from 2007 that said he could take the Q48 bus to Queens/Flushing Main St. ($2 on MetroCard),the LIRR to Great Neck Train Station ($5.50),then the N58 bus to the Academy gate ($2 on MetroCard). Since it was an old post, I didn't know if the information was correct. I agree, the taxi sounds like the best option, at least until he becomes more familiar with the area. Thanks again.

Other Taxi Services

All the taxi services that my DD have used in the last 4 years have given discounts to Midshipman (however, not to parents).

Manny's 516-487-5466 Great Neck Taxi 516-482-0077
Great One Limo 516-466-1166

Especially if your Mid has a lot to carry....There is usually another Mid they can share the ride with.

kpmom14 said:

Thanks to all who responded. Yesterday when my son returned, he asked someone for help and took the first suggestion which was a van at a cost of $55. I thought that was a bit pricey. After some research, I found a post from 2007 that said he could take the Q48 bus to Queens/Flushing Main St. ($2 on MetroCard),the LIRR to Great Neck Train Station ($5.50),then the N58 bus to the Academy gate ($2 on MetroCard). Since it was an old post, I didn't know if the information was correct. I agree, the taxi sounds like the best option, at least until he becomes more familiar with the area. Thanks again.

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For anyone who wants to give it a try, Here's some information regarding bus/train/bus to USMMA. It can looks a little complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's actually not that bad:

MTA Bus fares have increased to $2.25 per ride (with MetroCard).

LIRR from Flushing Main Street to Great Neck has six different possible fares for the same trip:

$6.25 peak (purchased at station)
$5.94 peak (purchased on web)
$12.00 peak (purchased on board)

$4.50 off peak (purchased at station)
$4.28 off peak (purchased on web)
$11.00 off peak (purchased on board).

LIRR Definition of Peak/Off Peak: Peak Fares are charged during business rush hours, on any weekday train scheduled to arrive in NYC terminals between 6 and 10 AM or depart NYC terminals between 4 and 8 PM.

Off Peak Fares are charged all other times on weekdays, all day on Saturdays and Sundays and holidays as listed below.

Holidays
Off Peak fares are valid and LIRR trains operate on a weekend schedule on the following holidays:
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. When Christmas and New Year's Day fall on a weekend, off-peak fares may also be in effect all day on the following Mondays.

Off Peak fares are valid all day even though LIRR trains operate on a weekday schedule on the day after Thanksgiving.

Senior/Disabled tickets will be honored all day on the holiday listed above and on: Columbus Day, Election Day and Veterans Day.

Here is a link to the website which can give you up-to-date information on all schedules and fares: http://mta.info/schedules/

DS followed the bus/train/bus method when he went for his overnight. He had never traveled alone before, but found it to be relatively easy to navigate his way around. He even managed to find a place to get a slice of pizza after arriving in Great Neck and before getting on the bus to KP

It's a lot less hassle just to take a taxi all the way. My son has never paid more than $40 for this ride, and there is ALWAYS at least one other student arriving at the airport at about the same time, and they can share a cab.