True North VIPTrue North VIP

Upper East Side to LGA Car Service

Pre-booked car service from the Upper East Side to LaGuardia Airport—one of the fastest LGA runs in Manhattan. FDR to RFK Bridge, no Midtown grid, flat-rate pricing that never surges.

Vetted chauffeurs
15\u201325 min off-peak
Flat rate (no meter)
Flight tracking included

The UES Advantage: FDR to LGA Direct

The Upper East Side is approximately 9 miles from LaGuardia Airport, making it one of the quickest Manhattan neighborhoods for LGA transfers. In light traffic, a car can reach the terminals in 15–25 minutes via FDR Drive north and the RFK/Triborough Bridge—bypassing the Midtown grid entirely. During rush hour, bridge approaches and the Grand Central Parkway can push travel time to 45–70 minutes.

Unlike JFK, there is no flat taxi fare to LaGuardia. Taxi trips are fully metered and subject to a $5 LGA surcharge, plus rush-hour and overnight surcharges. From the UES, metered fares typically land between $30 and $50 before tip—but can exceed $60 during congestion on the Grand Central Parkway.

A pre-booked airport car service locks in a flat rate at booking. Every LGA transfer includes complimentary flight tracking—your chauffeur monitors arrivals and adjusts timing automatically. 60 minutes of complimentary wait time for domestic flights, 90 minutes for international. Add meet & greet ($25) for terminal-side assistance.

Two Routes, One Decision

The “best route” from the UES to LGA depends on your exact address and real-time bridge conditions. Your chauffeur decides—not GPS.

Primary Route

FDR Drive → RFK Bridge

From most UES addresses (E 65th through E 96th), take FDR Drive north to the RFK/Triborough Bridge, then Grand Central Parkway directly to LGA. This route avoids the Midtown grid entirely and is usually the fastest option. The RFK toll is included in your flat rate.

Off-Peak15–20 min
Rush Hour40–60 min
Alternate Route

Queensboro Bridge → GCP

From the low 60s near the 59th Street approach, the Queensboro Bridge to Queens Boulevard and Grand Central Parkway can compete—but only when Midtown East traffic is light. During the 5–7 PM Queensboro backup, this route adds 15–20 minutes. Your chauffeur checks both options before committing.

Off-Peak20–30 min
Rush Hour50–75 min

Best Pickup Streets on the Upper East Side

UES side streets are narrow with strict parking enforcement. Your chauffeur knows the loading zones—here is what to expect by avenue.

Lexington / Third Ave

Wide, high-traffic avenues with bus stops and loading zones. Best for fast pickups—your chauffeur can pull into a loading zone momentarily while you exit your building and cross the sidewalk.

Second Ave

Northbound one-way with good curb access. Ideal staging avenue for buildings between First and Third. Less commercial traffic than Lex, easier to double-park briefly for luggage loading.

York / East End Ave

Quieter residential streets near the river. Easy loading but add 3–5 minutes to reach the FDR Drive entrance. Your chauffeur will adjust pickup time accordingly.

Park / Madison Ave

Narrow side streets between Park and Fifth with strict double-parking enforcement. Your chauffeur stages on the nearest avenue corner and walks to assist with luggage.

Car Service vs M60: The UES Decision

The M60-SBS is the UES's closest bus-to-LGA option. Here is how it compares to a pre-booked car service.

OptionCostTimeLuggageBest When
M60-SBS (via 125th St)$2.9045–60 minCarry-on onlyBudget, solo, daytime
Subway → Q70 Bus$2.9055–75 minCarry-on onlyNear a 4/5/6 station
Yellow Taxi (metered)$30–$60+15–70 minTrunk + back seatOff-peak, risk tolerance
Pre-Booked Car ServiceFlat rate quoted15–70 minFull trunk + cabinFamilies, luggage, tight windows

M60-SBS time includes walk to 125th Street from most UES addresses. Taxi fares include $5 LGA surcharge.

When to Leave: UES Scenarios

Early Morning

E 82nd & Lex → 7 AM Shuttle

  • Solo, carry-on, weekday
  • Airport by 5:30 AM
  • Leave by 5:05 AM
  • Pre-dawn: 15–18 min via RFK

Executive Sedan. FDR is empty, RFK Bridge clear.

Midday Family

E 72nd & York → 1 PM Domestic

  • 4 passengers, 4 bags, child seat
  • Airport by 11:00 AM
  • Leave by 10:15 AM
  • Late morning: 30–40 min via RFK

Luxury SUV. Add 5 min from York Ave to FDR entrance.

Rush Hour

E 65th & 3rd → 6 PM Departure

  • 2 passengers, laptop bags
  • Airport by 4:30 PM
  • Leave by 3:15 PM
  • Pre-rush: 35–50 min via RFK

Executive Sedan. RFK avoids the 5 PM Queensboro backup.

How It Works

1

Book Your Transfer

Reserve online or by phone. Provide your UES address or cross streets, LGA terminal, flight details (for arrivals), and passenger count. We confirm a flat rate and suggest a specific avenue pickup point.

2

Flight Tracking Activates

For arrivals, we monitor your flight from departure through landing at LGA. If delayed or early, your chauffeur adjusts automatically. No calls needed.

3

Avenue Pickup

Your chauffeur stages on the nearest avenue\u2014Second, Third, or Lex\u2014not on a narrow side street. Vehicle details and direct phone number sent 24 hours before pickup.

4

FDR to LGA Direct

FDR Drive north to RFK Bridge, Grand Central Parkway to LGA terminal curbside. If the RFK approach backs up, Queensboro is the fallback. All tolls included in your flat rate.

Vehicles for UES to LGA

All vehicles are late-model (2023–2026), professionally detailed between rides. Sedans navigate UES side streets; SUVs handle families with full luggage.

Executive Sedan

Executive Sedan

2 passengers | 2 large bags

Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5-Series. The default for solo UES travelers or couples heading to LGA with carry-ons. Fits easily on narrow side streets between Park and Lex.

Luxury SUV

Luxury SUV

6 passengers | 6 large bags

Cadillac Escalade ESV or Mercedes GLS. Ideal for UES families flying out with checked bags, strollers, and child seats ($25 each). Room for 6 bags in a 15-minute ride.

Executive Sprinter

Executive Sprinter

Up to 14 passengers

Mercedes Sprinter with captain's chairs. Perfect for groups\u2014corporate teams on the same flight or families combining for a vacation departure from LGA.

Policies for UES ↔ LGA

Flight Tracking

Complimentary for all LGA transfers. Chauffeur timing auto-adjusted based on actual flight arrival at LaGuardia. Provide airline and flight number at booking.

Wait Time (Arrivals)

60 minutes complimentary for domestic flights at LGA. 90 minutes for international. Clock starts at actual flight landing, not scheduled time.

Cancellation

24+ hours: full refund. 12-24 hours: 50% fee. 2-12 hours: 75% fee. Under 2 hours: 100% fee.

Meet & Greet

$25 add-on. Chauffeur meets you at LGA Terminal B or C curbside with a personalized name sign and luggage assistance.

Child Seats

$25 per seat. Infant (rear-facing), convertible, and booster seats available. Installed in your vehicle before pickup at your UES address.

Tolls & Parking

All tolls (RFK Bridge, Queensboro approaches) included in your flat rate. No surprise charges\u2014your quoted price is your final price.

Why UES Residents Choose True North VIP

Vetted Chauffeurs

Background-checked and professionally licensed. Every chauffeur knows the UES avenue grid, the FDR entrances, and which bridge to take based on your cross street.

Flight Tracking

Automatic monitoring from departure to landing at LGA. If your flight lands early or runs late, your chauffeur adjusts without you needing to call.

Flat Rate, No Meter

No $5 LGA surcharge, no rush-hour surcharge, no meter running through Grand Central Parkway delays. Your quoted price is final.

15-Minute Rides

The UES is one of the closest Manhattan neighborhoods to LGA. Off-peak, you can be at the terminal in 15 minutes. No other neighborhood has this advantage.

Upper East Side to LGA: FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

15 Minutes to LGA. Flat Rate Locked.

The Upper East Side is one of the fastest neighborhoods to LGA. Lock in a flat rate, skip the meter, and let your chauffeur handle the FDR-to-RFK Bridge corridor.

True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with vetted professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.

To book a ride, visit truenorthvip.com/book or call +1‑347‑321‑9929.