How long do you think this will take?

We decided to stay at an LGA airport hotel before our cruise out of the Manhattan cruise terminal. We will be arranging a car service to pick us up at the hotel on a Saturday during the summer to take us to the cruise ship terminal. Taking into account that traffic can be bad due to an accident, etc. do you think budgeting one hour to go the 8.8 miles from the airport hotel to the terminal is enough? Thanks.

What time were you thinking of doing this? Are you trying to arrive early or late?

Thanks for your question and help. We were thinking of arranging car service for 9:30 am and trying to arrive early.

Early is good. Your chances are probably better that there are not yet any serious traffic issues. From the posts I have read from the New Yorkers, the car services are pretty good about checking the traffic status and using creative routes to get to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Thank you for your help!

An alternative is the 7 Train New York Subway that starts in Flushing, near LGA. The other end of that train line is on 11th Avenue and 34th Street, which is just 1 mile from the cruise terminal. It's a nice walk along the river on dedicated walking paths, if it's a nice day and you can pull your luggage, or you can grab a cab for a quick ride to the terminal.

MCT's security lines are open at 9 AM and check-in typically at 9:30 AM (at least for NCL) - general boarding isn't till 11 to 11:30 AM. We usually aim to get there before 10:30 and with priority check-in, done within 15 minutes on average & wait for our early boarding group to get on.

From LGA's nearby airport hotels - car service generally like to use RJK Bridge but has been known to use Whitestone Bridge to get into the Bronx (across I-95 south, traffic is usually fine when early & weather isn't unfriendly) for a quick run to the pier, 30 minutes on average lately ... well worth the $5.54/$5.74 EZ-Pass toll charged, drivers prefer the fastest route & unlike yellow taxi, you aren't charged for the extra miles being driven. Fares & tips should run about $45 to 50 all inclusive(20% tip, $3 digital discount) with Carmel car service, Dial 7 is usually a little higher. An hour is plentiful for Saturday, 9:30 on-time pickup will probably have you on the curb outside Pier 88 or 90 by 10 AM, 10:15 at the latest - Queens Midtown Tunnel has already gone cashless toll crossing, the others are following soon to reduce delays but QMT is still slower & definitely avoid Ed Koch/59th Street crossing as everyone not wanting to pay the toll aim for it, competing with buses & commercial traffic on the East river crossing.

Lately, DOT is doing major weekend/off-peak work on the RFK Bridge causing slowdowns but if things run smoothly into Upper Manhattan you will possibly get a free & scenic cross-town ride on historic Harlem's 125th Street, (perfectly safe) then a quick turn to go southboard on the Henry Hudson Pkwy direct to the piers.

An alternative is the 7 Train New York Subway that starts in Flushing, near LGA. The other end of that train line is on 11th Avenue and 34th Street, which is just 1 mile from the cruise terminal. It's a nice walk along the river on dedicated walking paths, if it's a nice day and you can pull your luggage, or you can grab a cab for a quick ride to the terminal.

Thank you for taking the time to post this alternative!

MCT's security lines are open at 9 AM and check-in typically at 9:30 AM (at least for NCL) - general boarding isn't till 11 to 11:30 AM. We usually aim to get there before 10:30 and with priority check-in, done within 15 minutes on average & wait for our early boarding group to get on.

 

From LGA's nearby airport hotels - car service generally like to use RJK Bridge but has been known to use Whitestone Bridge to get into the Bronx (across I-95 south, traffic is usually fine when early & weather isn't unfriendly) for a quick run to the pier, 30 minutes on average lately ... well worth the $5.54/$5.74 EZ-Pass toll charged, drivers prefer the fastest route & unlike yellow taxi, you aren't charged for the extra miles being driven. Fares & tips should run about $45 to 50 all inclusive(20% tip, $3 digital discount) with Carmel car service, Dial 7 is usually a little higher. An hour is plentiful for Saturday, 9:30 on-time pickup will probably have you on the curb outside Pier 88 or 90 by 10 AM, 10:15 at the latest - Queens Midtown Tunnel has already gone cashless toll crossing, the others are following soon to reduce delays but QMT is still slower & definitely avoid Ed Koch/59th Street crossing as everyone not wanting to pay the toll aim for it, competing with buses & commercial traffic on the East river crossing.

 

Lately, DOT is doing major weekend/off-peak work on the RFK Bridge causing slowdowns but if things run smoothly into Upper Manhattan you will possibly get a free & scenic cross-town ride on historic Harlem's 125th Street, (perfectly safe) then a quick turn to go southboard on the Henry Hudson Pkwy direct to the piers.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post these details. They are very helpful!