Uber Now Offers Shared Vans From Manhattan to LaGuardia

Uber is introducing a shuttle connecting Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport, available for a much cheaper price than its own rideshare service or a taxi. Starting Tuesday, October 8, the new Uber Shuttle will connect 3 spots in Manhattan with New York’s LaGuardia airport on shared 14-seat vans, available for $18 plus any tip.

The story was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which cited an announcement by Uber at a climate event in London. Here’s what travelers need to know about this new options.

Uber Shared Vans Between Manhattan and LGA

This new service runs between central Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Unlike with a normal Uber or Lyft rideshare, a car service, or a taxi, riders can get on or off only at 3 spots in Manhattan: the Port Authority, Grand Central Terminal, or Penn Station, all located in the Midtown area of the city. The shuttle will operate along 2 routes:

• Between the Port Authority, Grand Central Terminal, and the airport;
• Between Penn Station and the airport. 

For the first month of operation, Uber will charge a discounted $9 price. That is an exceptionally low price compared to the usual rideshare cost, which can run to more than $100 from Manhattan to LGA at peak times.

There are already competing shuttle services in New York between the city and LaGuardia, but a quick survey of prices on Tuesday revealed that they are more expensive than the $18 Uber service. The ease of booking in an app that many air passengers already use may sway people in favor of the Uber shuttle, too.

No Surge Pricing

A major difference with regular rideshares is that there will be no surge pricing. Rides will cost the same, flat rate regardless of time, traffic, or other factors.

According to the Journal, shuttles will leave every 30 minutes, with real-time updates available in the app. Trips can be booked in the app 5 minutes to 7 days before the trip, up to a maximum of 4 people. Each passenger can bring on board 1 personal item and a bag weighing up to 50 pounds.

After booking, riders will get a QR code and a unique PIN that the driver validates in order to board. Tipping and rating will be available in the app, just like for regular rides. Refunds are possible only when riders cancel 25 minutes before their booked departure time. 

Paying for Your Ride

If you pay with Uber Cash, remember that there is a change coming next month. Effective November 8, 2024, you’ll have to use an American Express card as your backup payment method if you want to redeem Uber Cash (usable for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S) benefit available on eligible cards:

• The Platinum Card^® from American Express: Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash credit — divided into up to $15 credits per month, with up to $35 in credit issued in December. Amex Platinum cardholders must add their cards directly to their Uber account as a payment method.
• American Express^® Gold Card: Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash credit — divided into up to $10 credits per month. Amex Gold cardholders must add their cards directly to their Uber account as a payment method.

Shuttles operate from 5 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. ET, 7 days a week.

Uber already operates shuttles in other countries, and this is the first offering in the U.S. Uber says it wants to expand shuttle services to other U.S. airports but did not specify when that might happen.

Final Thoughts

There is a new way to travel between Midtown Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport: a shared shuttle from Uber. The ride on a 14-seat van costs an $18 flat rate plus tip, for a journey that, on normal rideshares, can easily cost 5 times as much. If the 3 pickup and dropoff points in the city work for you, this could be a good alternative to expensive cabs and rideshares.