LGA Rental Car Guide: LaGuardia Airport
Renting a car at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York, New York. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at LGA that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at LGA
Rental car counters are inside the new Terminal B and C buildings — fastest pickup of the three NYC-area airports.
Rental counters are at terminal Level 1 — directly off baggage claim. No shuttle needed.
LGA pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $70-$95 economy, $130-$200 SUV.
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 11.25%, customer facility charge $5/day, NY state tax 8.875%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at LGA actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at LGA
LGA hosts 7 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
Best for premium service: Avis (busiest counter at LGA)
Cheapest base rates: Off-airport in Long Island City for cheaper rates
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
LGA-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
LGA has fewer brands than JFK or EWR, so prices can be higher. Off-airport in Queens (Long Island City) often cheaper.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Long Island City (15 min) and Astoria (20 min) for 25-30% cheaper rates.
How to save the most at LGA
- Compare across all 7 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at LGA.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at LGA?
Rental car counters are inside the new Terminal B and C buildings — fastest pickup of the three NYC-area airports. Rental counters are at terminal Level 1 — directly off baggage claim. No shuttle needed.
What is the average rental car price at LGA?
$70-$95 economy, $130-$200 SUV. Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at LGA?
Concession recovery 11.25%, customer facility charge $5/day, NY state tax 8.875%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at LGA?
For premium fleet and reliability: Avis (busiest counter at LGA). For cheapest base rates: Off-airport in Long Island City for cheaper rates. Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from LGA?
LGA has fewer brands than JFK or EWR, so prices can be higher. Off-airport in Queens (Long Island City) often cheaper. Specifically: Long Island City (15 min) and Astoria (20 min) for 25-30% cheaper rates.
Are there any quirks to renting at LGA?
LGA had a complete rebuild finished in 2022. Rental counters are now inside the terminal — no shuttle. This makes LGA the fastest pickup of any NYC-area airport.