Top Tips for Navigating LaGuardia Airport with Ease

LaGuardia Airport (or LGA) is one of the busiest airports in the country, and the prospect of a trip to, from or through LaGuardia can be daunting. Fortunately, it doesn't need to be. In my trips to nine countries and many states, I've spent plenty of time travelling through and waiting in LaGuardia. These tips and some helpful information will make your time at LaGuardia much easier to handle.

Understanding LaGuardia's Layout

There are three main terminals at LaGuardia - the Central, Delta and US Airways terminals - in addition to the Marine Air terminal. If you're just flying out, your plan will be fairly easy. But if you're switching airlines in a layover, you'll need to plan a little more carefully. Most people who travel have done the "layover dash" - running through a crowded airport, dodging other travelers, luggage in tow - and knowing where you're going can help you avoid that. The Delta and US Airways terminals are easy to understand - Delta's terminal houses Delta and Comair, while the US Airways terminal houses US Airways and Colgan. The Central Terminal houses everything else and is broken into Concourses A, B, C and D. Airlines are located as follows:

Concourse A: Air Canada, Continental and JetBlue

Concourse B: AirTran, Midwest, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit and some JetBlue

Concourse C: American Eagle and United

Concourse D: American

Fortunately, you don't have to run from your arrival to departure gates. The LaGuardia shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes - Route A runs to all terminals, Route B runs to all terminals except Marine Air. LaGuardia is a big place. If you have a lot of luggage or think you may have trouble getting from Point A to Point B in time, take advantage of this free service. The shuttle buses are also wheelchair accessible. And though you won't be able to take food or drink through the security checkpoints, there are myriad shops and restaurants, both pre- and post-security, in all of the terminal areas.

Available Services and Facilities

Everyone's travel needs are different, often varying from trip to trip. La Guardia offers many services to help make travel more convenient for everyone.

Pet Relief Areas - These are located in the arrival areas of each terminal. If your pet needs to potty, this is where you go; there are no pet relief areas after the security checkpoints.

Medical or Dental Emergencies - A medical and dental clinic are located for travelers' convenience on the upper level of the Central Terminal.

Paging Family or Friends - The best place to have someone paged is the Ground Transportation Counter.

Hitting The Internet - WiFi is available in most terminals at LaGuardia. If you want to access it, you'll need to pay, as wireless access within LaGuardia is provided by Boingo Wireless Company. The cost is $4.95 an hour, $7.95 for a 24-hour period or $9.95 per month, depending on customer preference.

LaGuardia is a hub for budget carriers, which means you can get some really great deals travelling through this airport. Once you understand the layout and the where to access the services you need, navigating LaGuardia is easy. By knowing you way around this airline hotspot, you can save yourself some serious time and money.