Can you purchase Metrocard at Laguardia Airport?

Question

I called MTA 8/30/08. Was told: No MC vending machines at LGA; can purchase from "gift shop;" if not available at gift shop, must pay $2 cash on bus, and then $2 for subway (i.e., w/o MC, cannot get free bus-subway transfer). Does anyone know: (1) Does "gift shop" = Hudson News? (2) Is the above information correct?

Answer 1

Good job taking the initiative and contacting the MTA.  As for your answers...

(1) Basically, yes.

(2) Yes.

http://www.mta.info will have the details.

In short, there are no vending machines at LGA.  Hudson News will sell pay-per-ride Metrocards, but probably not the unlimited-ride ones if you're looking for them.  If you're looking for those, maybe just buy a $4 card at the airport, and get an unlimited card at the first subway station you visit.

If you can't get the card at Hudson News (you almost certainly will be able to), you would have to pay $2 in coins (nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar coins, but NOT pennies or half-dollars).  Bills are not accepted on NYC buses.

So yes, you've been given the correct information.  Enjoy your visit!

Answer 2

Yes, Hudson News should have both $10 Metrocards and day passes.  I've found that their stock is spotty, and sometimes if one newsstand is sold out, another will have the one you want.

By the way, of the various bus/subway combinations, the M60 is by far the fastest either to the N/W in Astoria or the 4/5/6 at 125th St.