Uber Took Me From Manhattan To The Airport For $18: How The Service Works

Uber provides cheap shuttle service between Manhattan and La Guardia Airport. These trips are in 14-passenger vans and only have three pick-up and drop-off points in midtown Manhattan. Insider tested the new service.

Many New Yorkers have a story to tell about transferring between two subways and a bus to get to the airport, or overpaying for a cab. Depending on the location and time of day, a cab to La Guardia Airport can cost between $24 and $44, not including tips and fees. Uber can cost up to $100.

But a new transfer option helps eliminate the high costs and stress associated with traveling to and from La Guardia.

From October 8 Uber offered an alternative. It can take you to and from La Guardia Airport for $18 each way. During the first month of service, Uber is offering rides at half the price — for $9.

On the subject: Automated robotaxis will appear on New York roads

To test the new service, Priyanka Rajput took a shuttle from Penn Station to LaGuardia Airport's Terminal C and returned from the airport to Port Authority.

Reservation

The booking process for Uber Shuttle is similar to booking a ride on a regular app. You can reserve up to four seats five minutes in advance or seven days in advance. After the service launched, Rajput booked a shuttle for Oct. 10 at 8:45 a.m. from Penn Station to Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport. The shuttle normally costs $18. But Uber is offering 50% off airport rides through Nov. 1. Rajput bought a one-way ticket for $9.

When Rajput opened the Uber app, she saw a screen with several pickup and drop-off options. In the bottom half, marked with a green sign, was a white minivan icon. After tapping the icon, the service redirects you to select your preferred pickup and drop-off location. You can also enter your pickup and drop-off location when you open the app, then select the shuttle option.

This will open a tab with several route options. From here, you can select the day and time that works best for you. Shuttles run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10:45pm daily.

Since there are two separate routes from LaGuardia to Penn Station and Port Authority, the shuttle runs every 15 minutes.

Routes

Three stops in Manhattan are in tourist areas. They are located at major transit hubs that connect passengers to the New York City Subway system, the Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit, and PATH trains.

Stops include:

• Port Authority Terminal;
• Grand Central Terminal;
• Penn Station.

Uber shuttles take passengers to Terminals B and C at La Guardia Airport.

If you are flying from Terminal A and want to use the Uber Shuttle, you get off at Terminal B and then take the free airport shuttle.

Since Rajput lives in Midtown West, both Penn Station and Port Authority were within an 8-12 minute walk from her home. She decided to start her trip from Penn Station and end it at Port Authority. Rajput arrived just in time for her 8:45 a.m. shuttle. However, Uber recommends arriving at least five minutes before departure. To track your shuttle in advance, you can follow the link provided through the app 25 minutes before departure. Although Rajput followed the directions provided on the link, it took her a minute to find her shuttle. There were no signs indicating where the shuttles would be.

When she found the right spot, Rajput saw that her shuttle was already there. According to Uber, the driver will wait a maximum of two minutes after your scheduled time before leaving.

Comfort

The van, from Ellis Transportation Service Inc., looked neat and clean on the outside, Rajput said. Sleek Uber branding on the windows made it easy to spot from afar. Each passenger is allowed a carry-on or checked bag of up to 22 pounds.

Once the driver scanned Rajput’s QR code into the Uber app, she was free to choose any of 14 seats. Seven people had already boarded the bus, but there was plenty of room. Rajput chose one of the solo seats on the right side. From there, aside from the soft sounds of the radio playing in the background, the ride was quiet, she said.

The space between the rows of seats on the left and right was less than an arm's length, but Rajput didn't mind. She noted that given that the shuttle wasn't full, there was still plenty of room. The black and red upholstered seats were cozy, with a charging outlet in each row.

Rajput would have liked a little more legroom under the seat in front to stow a handbag or backpack, but it was only a minor issue, she noted.

The windows were covered with sun protection film, which created a dim and cozy atmosphere inside.

The only light was a strip of blue LED lights on the ceiling, which Rajput thought was perfect for an early morning nap before the chaos of TSA and boarding began.

Rajput was pleasantly surprised when the minibus pulled up outside Terminal C at 9:22 a.m., just a minute after her expected arrival time.

Road from the airport

She decided to book a return shuttle when she arrived at the airport to make sure she wouldn’t miss her bus. But when Rajput went to book her return flight — also priced at $9 — she realized the next available seat wasn’t until 10 a.m. She had to wait a bit.

She says she was impressed by how fast the shuttles moved.

Rajput checked in and took her seat. Since it was the first stop on the route, the bus was empty except for Rajput and one other passenger.

Rajput noted that the second van had better seats, more space and lighting. She sat in the front row and had all three seats to herself until they arrived at Terminal B. Here, 10 more passengers took their seats. There were no charging stations for passengers on this van.

The return trip was slower. The shuttle stopped at Terminal B. It took almost 15 minutes to check in. The first stop in the city was Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street. The bus then went to Port Authority Terminal on 42nd Street and Ninth Avenue.

Big savings

Rajput used to pay more than $100 for a one-way taxi ride from La Guardia.

“In fact, if I had taken a regular UberX back from the airport to Port Authority, the trip would have cost me $104, not including tip,” Rajput says. “It’s not just me. On the way back, I spoke to two other passengers who had similar experiences. They were happy to have a cheaper alternative.”

Two trips cost Rajput $18, taking into account the Uber promotion. A similar trip after November 1 will cost $18 one way. It is still much cheaper than taking a taxi or a regular Uber, and more convenient than the subway and buses.

The only thing that could improve the experience, Rajput says, is if Uber posted clear signs at all three stops to make it easier to navigate and find the shuttles.