Quick Summary:
- Follow “Ground Transportation” then “Rental Cars” signs to shuttle pick-up.
- From Terminal A, walk outside to the marked rental car shuttle stop.
- From Terminals B and C, head to baggage claim, then shuttles.
- Allow 30 to 75 minutes from gate to keys at peak.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York does not have a single, walk-to rental car garage connected to every terminal. Instead, most car hire pick-ups work the same way: you exit to Ground Transportation, follow the “Rental Cars” signage, then take a dedicated rental car shuttle to the off-airport rental facility where the counters and vehicles are located.
This guide breaks down what to do after landing, terminal by terminal, including what signs to follow, where you typically join the shuttle queue, and how long to allow in busy periods. LaGuardia’s terminals and kerbside areas are actively managed and can be congested, so knowing the flow before you arrive helps you reach car hire pick-up with fewer wrong turns.
Before you start: what to look for in every terminal
No matter which terminal you land at, your aim is to reach the kerbside Ground Transportation area, then locate the rental car shuttle stop. In most parts of LGA, the signs you will see in sequence are: “Baggage Claim”, then “Ground Transportation”, then “Rental Cars”. If you are coming from arrivals, avoid heading towards rideshare or taxi queues unless you have confirmed your car hire provider uses a common pick-up point near those lanes.
Two practical tips make the walk smoother. First, collect checked bags before heading outside, because most terminals route you away from baggage claim once you commit to the ground transport exits. Second, keep your booking details and driving licence to hand, because some providers check paperwork at the counter before sending you to a specific bay or floor.
If you are comparing nearby airport options for car hire around New York, you may also want to review Newark choices before you travel, as availability and shuttle times can differ. Useful starting points include car hire airport New Jersey EWR and car hire New Jersey EWR.
Terminal A (Marine Air Terminal): step-by-step to rental shuttles
Terminal A is smaller than the other LaGuardia terminals and can feel deceptively simple. The trade-off is that kerbside space is limited, so shuttle stops can be busy when multiple flights land close together.
Step 1: Follow arrivals to baggage claim. After you exit the aircraft, stay on the arrivals flow. If you have checked luggage, collect it first, because leaving the baggage claim level can mean re-entering through controlled points.
Step 2: Look for “Ground Transportation” and “Rental Cars”. You are aiming for the public kerbside area outside arrivals. Ignore signage for taxis and app-based rides unless you are meeting someone.
Step 3: Go outside and find the rental car shuttle stop. At Terminal A the shuttle stop is typically on the outer kerbside area, clearly marked for rental cars. Join the queue in the marked zone and wait for the next shuttle. If a staff member is directing foot traffic, confirm you are heading to “rental car shuttles” before you step into the wrong line.
Step 4: On the shuttle, confirm the drop-off point. Some shuttles serve multiple brands or facilities. If you have any doubt, ask the driver which facility they are going to before the shuttle departs.
Time to allow from gate to keys. Off-peak with hand luggage only, 30 to 45 minutes can be realistic. In peak periods or with checked bags, plan 50 to 75 minutes, mainly due to kerbside congestion and shuttle queueing.
Terminal B: step-by-step to rental shuttles
Terminal B handles a high volume of domestic flights. The building is modern and well signed, but the walk can be longer than you expect, especially if you arrive at a far gate or need to wait for bags.
Step 1: Arrivals corridor to baggage claim. Follow the “Baggage Claim” signs from your gate area. If you are not checking luggage, continue past the claim carousels towards the exit doors, but do not go upstairs for departures.
Step 2: Head for “Ground Transportation”. Once in arrivals, keep scanning overhead signs. “Ground Transportation” is the umbrella sign that then breaks out into taxis, buses, rideshare, and rental cars.
Step 3: Follow “Rental Cars” to the kerbside shuttle stop. At Terminal B, rental car pick-up typically starts at the kerbside shuttle stop outside arrivals. You may see multiple bus bays. Look for the bay marked for rental cars and verify the signboard rather than boarding the first bus you see.
Step 4: Expect kerbside control and occasional re-routing. During busy windows, staff may hold pedestrians back until a safe gap appears, or they may route queues along barriers. Stay with the rental-car-shuttle queue even if it bends away from the bay.
Step 5: Prepare for a short ride to the rental facility. The shuttle ride itself is usually short, but traffic inside the airport loop roads can add time. Once dropped off, you will typically enter the facility, join the correct brand queue, then proceed to the vehicle area.
Time to allow from gate to keys. With checked luggage, a sensible peak-time allowance is 60 to 75 minutes. If you arrive off-peak and have no bags to wait for, 40 to 55 minutes is often enough, depending on how quickly the shuttle arrives.
Terminal C: step-by-step to rental shuttles
Terminal C also uses the “exit to ground transport then shuttle” pattern. The key is to stay on the arrivals level and not get pulled into departures or parking payment routes.
Step 1: Follow “Baggage Claim” signs. From the gate area, keep moving towards arrivals and baggage claim. Collect bags first, then head to the exit doors.
Step 2: Watch for “Ground Transportation” then “Rental Cars”. Once you are near the public exit points, “Ground Transportation” signs lead you to the kerbside area. From there, look specifically for “Rental Cars” to reach the correct bay.
Step 3: Go outside and locate the rental car shuttle bay. Terminal C can have several bays and a lot of traffic noise. Slow down, read the bay signage, and confirm you are at “Rental Cars”. If you see separate bays for hotel shuttles or public buses, do not join those queues.
Step 4: Allow extra time if you land during commuter peaks. Late afternoons and early evenings can make the airport roads slower. If your flight lands around these times, assume a longer shuttle wait and a longer drive to the rental facility.
Time to allow from gate to keys. Plan 55 to 75 minutes at peak, especially if you need to collect bags. Off-peak, 35 to 55 minutes is commonly achievable.
How long should you allow overall, and why peak times matter
For most travellers, the total time from aircraft door to sitting in your car hire vehicle breaks into five chunks: walking to arrivals, waiting for checked bags, walking to the shuttle stop, waiting for the shuttle, then counter and vehicle collection at the rental facility.
Typical planning ranges are:
Hand luggage only, off-peak: 30 to 50 minutes.
Checked bags, off-peak: 45 to 65 minutes.
Checked bags, peak: 60 to 90 minutes.
Peak times are not just about the terminal being crowded. Kerbside traffic management can slow the last stretch to the shuttle bay, and airport loop-road congestion can extend a shuttle ride that would otherwise be quick. If you are meeting other passengers at the rental facility, agree a buffer and message when you join the shuttle queue rather than when you land.
Signage to follow, and common wrong turns to avoid
The most reliable sign sequence at LaGuardia is “Baggage Claim” to “Ground Transportation” to “Rental Cars”. If you stop seeing “Ground Transportation” signs, you have likely drifted into departures or parking areas.
Avoid these common mistakes:
First, do not follow “Rideshare” unless you are collecting a car via an app-based driver, as it usually leads to a different kerbside lane. Second, do not assume every shuttle bay serves rental cars. Hotel and employee shuttles can load from nearby stops with similar-looking buses. Third, if you exit through the wrong set of doors, you may end up on a kerb that does not allow passenger pick-ups, which forces a longer walk along barriers.
If you are still weighing up vehicle types for your New York trip, it can help to compare capacity and luggage space before you arrive at the counter. For larger groups landing into the region, see minivan rental Newark EWR, or for bigger loads, van hire Newark EWR.
Practical tips for a smoother car hire pick-up at LGA
Confirm your provider’s process before you fly. Some brands use shared shuttles, others have dedicated ones, and a few may direct you to a particular bay. Having the provider name and confirmation number ready reduces counter time.
Keep your party together until you find the shuttle queue. Terminal kerbsides can be hectic, and regrouping outside can waste time. If someone needs the loo, do it before you exit.
Plan for toll roads and payment methods. Around New York, tolling is often cashless. Ask at the counter how their toll programme works so you do not have to decide at the exit gate.
Consider timing if you are driving straight into Manhattan. Even if you collect your car hire quickly, bridge and tunnel traffic can add significant time. Building a buffer now avoids stress later.
If your itinerary includes driving from the wider New York area via Newark, you can also compare providers there, such as Enterprise car rental New Jersey EWR. The process is similar in principle, but the location layout and shuttle patterns differ.
FAQ
Do I walk to the car hire pick-up at LaGuardia, or take a shuttle? Most travellers take a rental car shuttle from the terminal kerbside to an off-airport rental facility. Follow “Ground Transportation” then “Rental Cars” signs.
Which terminal is easiest for reaching the rental car shuttle? Terminal A is smaller and can feel quicker to navigate, but kerbside space is limited. Terminals B and C are well signed but can involve longer walks and busier bays.
How early should I plan to arrive at the shuttle stop after landing? If you have checked luggage, aim to reach the shuttle stop about 30 to 50 minutes after landing. With hand luggage only, 15 to 30 minutes is often realistic.
What should I do if I cannot find “Rental Cars” signs? Backtrack to the last “Ground Transportation” sign and follow it towards arrivals exits. Avoid rideshare and taxi routing, then look for “Rental Cars” at the kerbside bay signage.
How long does the full process take in peak times? In busy periods, allow 60 to 90 minutes from landing to driving away. The biggest variables are baggage delivery, shuttle queues, and road congestion inside the airport loop.
