Quick Summary:
- Take Q70-SBS to Jackson Heights, then continue by subway or bus.
- Use the M60-SBS to 125th Street for easy Manhattan transfers.
- Plan 30 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic and connections.
- Follow Rental Cars signs, then board your company shuttle at kerbside.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) does not have a direct subway or train station, so reaching the rental car centre in New York relies on a short bus connection first. The good news is that the most useful routes are straightforward once you know which terminal exits to use, what to watch for on the kerb, and how to allow for traffic.
This guide focuses on practical, pre-pick-up routes, estimated timings, and what you should look for when you arrive at the rental car shuttle area, so you can reach the rental car centre without confusion.
Understand what “rental car centre” means at LGA
At LaGuardia, most major car hire brands operate off-airport. You typically travel from your terminal to a designated shuttle pick-up area, then ride a company shuttle to the rental facility.
If you are already landing at LGA, your first step is getting to the correct ground transport level and finding the “Rental Cars” or “Shuttle” signage. If you are coming from Manhattan, Queens, or Brooklyn to collect a vehicle at LGA, your first step is choosing the best public transport bus option into the airport area, then continuing to the rental car shuttle pick-up.
Route 1, Q70-SBS from Jackson Heights, the simplest for Queens and many subway connections
The Q70 Select Bus Service is often the easiest option because it connects LaGuardia with Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue, a major hub for the E, F, M, R and 7 subway lines, plus the Long Island Rail Road at nearby Woodside.
How to do it: Take the subway to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av, follow signs to buses, then board the Q70-SBS towards LaGuardia Airport. Stay on until your terminal stop.
Estimated time: Jackson Heights to LGA is often 15 to 25 minutes, but can rise to 35 minutes in peak traffic. Add your subway time plus waiting time, typically 5 to 12 minutes for the next bus.
What to watch for: The Q70 is a limited-stop route, so it is faster than local buses. At the airport, pay attention to terminal announcements and stop signage, because stopping patterns can vary when roads are busy or when airport works are in place.
Once you are at your terminal, follow signs for Ground Transportation and Rental Cars. You will normally be directed towards a shuttle pick-up area, then you board the correct company shuttle for the rental facility.
Route 2, M60-SBS to Harlem 125th Street, best for Upper Manhattan transfers
If you are coming from Manhattan and want a direct bus-to-airport connection, the M60-SBS is the key public transport link. It runs across 125th Street in Harlem and continues to LaGuardia, giving easy transfers from several subway lines.
How to do it: Take the subway to 125th Street (for example via the A, B, C, D at 125th St or the 4, 5, 6 at 125th St), then follow signs to the M60-SBS to LaGuardia. Ride to your terminal.
Estimated time: 125th Street to LGA is often 25 to 40 minutes, but can be 50 minutes when traffic builds on the Triborough Bridge approaches and airport roads. Add 5 to 12 minutes for waiting.
What to watch for: If you have luggage, try to avoid the busiest commuter peaks. Also note that some stops along 125th Street are extremely busy, so it is worth positioning yourself where you can see the route signage clearly before the bus arrives.
After arriving at the terminal, proceed to the ground transport area and look specifically for rental car shuttle guidance. Do not assume every “shuttle” is for car hire, some are for hotels or other services.
How long should you budget, door-to-shuttle?
For most travellers, a realistic range from a major transit hub to the rental car shuttle pick-up is 30 to 75 minutes. Your actual time depends on three factors: road traffic, waiting time for the bus, and how quickly you can navigate the terminal exits.
Typical timing examples: From Jackson Heights, many people can reach the terminal area in 25 to 45 minutes including average waiting. From 125th Street, allow 35 to 60 minutes. If you are starting in Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn, you may need 60 to 90 minutes depending on subway connections, platform walking, and traffic.
Extra buffer tips: Add 15 to 25 minutes if you are travelling during weekday rush hours, during heavy rain, or when there are known roadworks. If you are collecting a vehicle for a tight schedule, arriving earlier reduces the risk of missing a shuttle or joining a long queue at the rental desk.
Finding the rental car shuttle pick-up at LaGuardia
After you arrive at the correct terminal, look for overhead and wall signage pointing to Ground Transportation, Buses and Shuttles, and Rental Cars. The exact door numbers and kerbside layout can change during construction phases, so rely on signage rather than an old screenshot.
What you should see: A kerbside area with marked lanes, usually with signs that indicate “Rental Car Shuttles” or company names. Some operators board from a shared point, while others have a more specific zone.
What to do if you are unsure: Ask an airport staff member or ground transportation attendant to confirm the correct kerbside zone for your car hire company. It is better to confirm before waiting, as multiple shuttle types may arrive in the same area.
Connecting your pick-up plan with the wider New York area
If you are comparing airport pick-up options, it can help to understand how other airports are structured for car hire. For reference on alternatives, Hola Car Rentals also provides airport-focused pages such as car rental airport New York JFK and car rental New York JFK.
If your trip includes New Jersey, you may want to compare locations like car rental New Jersey EWR or brand-specific options such as Budget car rental Newark EWR.
The key is to align your pick-up point with where you will actually be driving first. If your first destination is in Queens or Long Island, LaGuardia can be convenient. If you are immediately heading south through Manhattan or into New Jersey, a different pick-up location may reduce backtracking and toll complexity.
FAQ
Do I need to take public transport all the way to the rental car centre at LaGuardia? Usually no. Public transport gets you to the terminal area, then you take a rental car shuttle to the off-airport facility for your company.
Which is easier from Manhattan, the M60-SBS or going via Jackson Heights for the Q70? From Upper Manhattan, the M60-SBS is often simplest. From Midtown or areas near the E, F, M, R or 7 lines, going to Jackson Heights for the Q70 can be faster.
How early should I arrive for a car hire pick-up time at LaGuardia? Aim to reach the terminal area 30 to 45 minutes before your intended counter time, then add more during rush hour or bad weather.
Where exactly do I find the rental car shuttles outside the terminal? Follow signs for Ground Transportation and Rental Cars, then look for marked kerbside zones. If signage is unclear, ask a ground transport attendant which lane serves your company.
What is the most common mistake people make when heading to car hire at LGA? Waiting at the wrong shuttle stop. Confirm the company name on the shuttle signage or with the driver before boarding.
