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LaGuardia, New York Background.....
LaGuardia Airport is one of the 3 tri-connected airports around New York City along with JFK and Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. LaGuardia is located in Flushing, New York Queens, just two miles from Citi Field (Home of the New York Mets) and conveniently located just 15 minutes from New York City through a corridor of 3 major highways and 3 bridges.
Rental Car Companies at the LaGuardia Airport.....
As of this writing (2011), there are five car rental agencies with desks set up at the LaGuardia Airport. Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National each occupy office space near the baggage claim terminal at the departures level in the facility. Below is a LaGuardia night arrival.
Other Airport Amenities.....
If you're leaving the area, and are waiting for a flight out of LaGuardia, then you may like the fact that LaGuardia has over 35 eateries in over 12 different ethnic varieties plus bars located throughout 4 terminals. WiFi is also available globally throughout the airport and its terminals. Popular chains located throughout the airport are Au Bon Pain, Auntie Ann’s Pretzels, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, World Bean coffee shops, and the CIBO market.
LaGuardia’s shops are easy to access with gift and souvenir shops, newsstands which are owned and operated by the Hudson News chain, clothing, and electronic stores. Especially popular at this airport is the Best Buy Zoom Shop where electronic devices can be purchased. Other popular stores are Brookstone, NY Times bookstore.
Staying in Town.....
If you're looking for a place to stay the night near the airport, the you will find some popular hotels around the airport within a 4 mile radius. These include Courtyard Marriott, Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn, Red Roof Inn, and Fairfield Inn.
Drive Green, Save Green.....
LaGuardia’s website offers amazing advice on driving green including tips on saving gas and automobile operation to save gas at http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/drive-green.html.
Car Rental Driving Directions out of the Airport.....
After picking up your rental car, we often find that passengers enjoy knowing the distances to towns they have decided to travel to. So, we have obliged! Here are some local areas, and the car rental miles needed to travel to get to them.
LaGuardia Airport to Fire Island National Seashore 45 Miles.
LaGuardia Airport to Hampton Bays, 80 Miles.
LaGuardia Airport to Jones Beach, 30 Miles.
LaGuardia Airport to Jericho Turnpike, 16 Miles.
LaGuardia Airport to Coney Island, 20 Miles
LaGuardia Airport to Forest Park, 6 Miles
LaGuardia Airport to Queens, 6 Miles
LaGuardia Airport to College Point, 4 Miles
LaGuardia Airport to Whitestone Park, 4 Miles
LaGuardia Airport to Bronx Park, 11 Miles (See Sledder Below!)
As stated above, to visit locations and destinations around the Big Apple, after renting your car, you can start out on the Grand Central Parkway. From there:
To Access Long Island Via Rental Car.....
For areas into Long Island, (including the Hamptons, Fire Island, Jones Beach), take the Grand Central Parkway East and exit onto the Long Island Expressway East (about 2 and 1/2 miles). Alternatively, you can stay on the Grand Central Parkway and it will turn into Long Island’s Northern State Parkway.
To Access New York City Via Rental Car.....
Take the Grand Central Parkway East and exit onto the Long Island Expressway West. Follow the Grand Central Parkway all the way to the Midtown Tunnel and you will be in New York City within 3 to 7 minutes (this may vary depending on traffic). There will also be a toll which currently is $6.50, but is scheduled to go up by Fall 2011. A second route to NY City is to take the Grand Central Parkway West to the Whitestone Expressway (only one direction from your route) and follow signs to New York City.
To Access the Bronx Via Rental Car.....
Take the Grand Central Parkway West to the Whitestone Expressway toward the Whitestone Bridge and go directly into the Bronx. Tolls are currently $6.50 and are scheduled to also increase by Fall 2011.
Types of Vehicles Available.....
If you rent a vehicle from the LaGuardia Airport you will have choices available to you. Economy cars, minis and the regular intermediate types will almost always be available form at least one car rental company. The problem often occurs when the customer desires to rent something a little bigger or nicer. SUV's minivans and luxury cars (Mercedes') often 'rent out', meaning they won't be available to you. This is simply because car rental companies in general don't like to keep large dollar inventory on hand that isn't put into service. So, they keep smaller quantities of these types of vehicles in stock.