Can You Walk Between LaGuardia and JFK Airports in New York City?

The age-old joke goes: "Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time." However, in the bustling New York City, we often find the time to be a precious commodity. This article explores the possibility of walking between two of New York's major airports: LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy (JFK).

Distance and Accessibility

Both LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy Airport are located in the borough of Queens, New York City. The two airports are approximately 11 miles apart, measured by highway. While this distance may seem daunting at first glance, it's important to consider the reality of walking across such a vast area.

Walking Pathway Challenges

Queens is known for its complex street system, featuring numerous expressways and superhighways. To walk from one airport to the other would inevitably require navigating through these complex networks. Furthermore, the journey over or under these highways would either require crossing busy junctions or using underpasses and overpasses, which might add significant time to the journey.

Estimated Time

Stephen Wright's quote works fine in theory, but in practice, walking 11 miles in 4 hours through Queens' complex street system might be unrealistic. According to a service like Walk Score, which evaluates pedestrian-friendliness, the distance between the two airports is not highly walkable. This suggests that even if you had a lot of time, the journey would still be challenging and time-consuming.

Alternatives to Walking

While walking is an option, it's far from the most practical or efficient method. There are two main alternatives: taking a bus or using the airtrain system.

The AirTrain

The AirTrain at JFK is a dedicated electric train service that connects the airport to the Muny Transportation Authority (MTA) subway system and Long Island Rail Road stations. By taking the AirTrain to the JFK station, one can cover the distance in about an hour. This is significantly faster and much more convenient than walking.

Bus Services

There is also a bus service that connects LaGuardia and JFK, known as the Q51 bus. This bus route is designed to link the two airports and stops at various points along the way, including major road intersections. While it takes longer than the AirTrain, it's a cheaper option and is still faster than walking and potentially more scenic (depending on your starting point).

Conclusion

While it is technically possible to walk between LaGuardia and JFK airports, it is far from the easiest or most practical option. The journey is time-consuming, and the practicality of such a route is questionable. Next time you find yourself needing to travel between these two airports, consider the more efficient options available to you: the AirTrain or the Q51 bus.

Why walk when you can ride?