An Uber from Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport can sometimes cost more than the flight itself. But now, travelers can take the first-ever Uber Airport Shuttle to LGA for $18.
Starting October 8, 2024, riders in NYC will see the Shuttle option in the Uber app and can book up to four seats starting seven days in advance and up to five minutes before a Shuttle’s scheduled departure. Currently, there are two routes available: the Port Authority bus terminal to Grand Central to LGA Terminal C and Terminal B and Penn Station to LGA Terminal B and Terminal C. Both will cost a flat rate of $18.
LaGuardia “is just the beginning,” an Uber spokesperson tells Condé Nast Traveler. “We’re working with airport partners and local officials across the US and throughout the world to bring convenient and affordable Airport Shuttle service to riders.”
The new Uber Shuttle product, first teased in May, allows riders to reserve a seat alongside others heading to airports or event venues in large-capacity vehicles, ranging from 14 to 55 seats. For travelers heading to and from the airport, if an Uber Shuttle is available, the option will pop up in the rideshare app with details on the pick-up time and place. Unlike a traditional Uber, Shuttles are only available at specific pick-up locations and time slots.
Like with a normal ride, users can track the status of the Shuttle and pay for the ride directly through the Uber app. “Uber Shuttle is our answer to providing an easy, affordable, and convenient way to get around,” says Uber Shuttle general manager Anthony le Roux.
The capacity for each ride—which can range from vans to buses—will vary based on demand. “Frankly, we’ll see as we launch Uber Shuttle and see how they operate,” says le Roux. “I can imagine when we get really busy to airports, we will start to offer big buses on those routes.”
Le Roux says the goal is to eventually implement the Uber Shuttle in all major cities, taking into account the particulars of each destination. “It really has to complement the existing public transportation infrastructure,” he says. “You have to think a little differently for each city.”
In addition to airport transportation, Uber Shuttle will also be offered at major events, including certain concerts at Live Nation venues in Charlotte, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. In those cities, fans will be able to board a shuttle in accessible downtown pick-up spots and be transported straight to the venue. The service will also be available at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins and Formula One Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.
The company has tested out its Uber Shuttle service in India and Egypt for daily commuters in highly congested areas, le Roux says. In those markets, there are more factors to consider since riders are boarding at various times and going to different places on both ends. “We learned more and more about how to move large numbers of people between specific locations at specific times,” he tells Traveler.
