- Home
- Our Services
- Meet our Fleet
- Contact
Landing at LaGuardia with excited kids who can’t wait to see lions and gorillas should be the fun part. But getting from the airport to the Bronx Zoo with children, luggage, and strollers? That’s where things get tricky.
Most parents face the same question: how do I get to the Bronx Zoo from LGA without the drama?
You’ve just landed with a toddler, a diaper bag, and a stroller. Your six-year-old is already asking “Are we there yet?” and you haven’t left the terminal. Now you need to figure out how to cover 12 miles through an unfamiliar city.
Public transit involves multiple transfers with all your gear. Taxis and rideshares sound direct, but most hit the same snag: car seats. Standard taxis aren’t required to provide them, and getting a rideshare with proper child restraints means waiting extra time at pickup. Some parents end up holding younger kids on their laps through traffic, which nobody feels good about.
The Bronx Zoo sits at 2300 Southern Boulevard in Bronx Park. At 265 acres, it’s the nation’s largest urban zoo with four entrance gates. The Southern Boulevard Gate gets you to the Children’s Zoo and Madagascar exhibit quickly. The Fordham Road Gate puts you near the Sea Lion Pool.
Getting to the Bronx from LaGuardia means crossing from Queens into the Bronx through busy city corridors.
The zoo operates year-round, seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Hours change with seasons—longer in summer, shorter in winter.
Some attractions only run seasonally. The Wild Asia Monorail, Butterfly Garden, and Children’s Zoo typically operate April through October. If your flight lands in the afternoon during winter, you’re working with limited daylight. Getting from your location at the airport to the zoo efficiently matters even more when the clock is ticking.
Taking the bus and subway costs just a MetroCard swipe. You’ll ride the M60 bus to 125th Street, transfer to the subway, then possibly catch another bus depending on which gate you’re heading to. Budget about 90 minutes, longer with kids.
Each transfer means getting children on and off vehicles, managing strollers through turnstiles, and keeping track of belongings. During rush hour, finding seats together is hit or miss. One parent often ends up standing with a tired toddler while the train lurches through tunnels.
Airport taxi stands move fast. The taxi from LGA to Bronx Zoo costs around $40-60 depending on traffic. Drivers know the city and get you there directly.
The problem? You can’t guarantee a vehicle that fits your family’s needs. Some cabs have room for luggage and strollers. Others don’t. The car seat situation creates the biggest headache since taxis aren’t required to provide them. You either drag your own through the airport or skip them entirely.
Uber and Lyft operate at LaGuardia with more vehicle options than traditional cabs. You can request larger vehicles for extra space. Some drivers have car seats, though finding one takes filtering and often means longer waits.
After a flight with tired kids, standing at the pickup area for 20-30 minutes while drivers cancel tests everyone’s patience. You also don’t see the vehicle’s condition until it arrives.
This costs more but solves the problems parents actually face. Book ahead and a driver meets you at the terminal. No hunting for rides or standing in lines.
The difference shows up in details. You specify what you need when booking: passenger count, luggage, and car seats. Services install clean, fitted seats before you arrive—infant seats, convertible seats, boosters, whatever matches your kids’ ages and sizes.
Your driver helps load strollers, bags, and gear. The vehicle has actual space—kids aren’t jammed together, and parents don’t hold bags on their laps. You know the cost upfront, too. No meter running in traffic or surprise fees.
The zoo itself is completely safe. It welcomes millions of families yearly with good security and staff throughout the grounds.
The journey there raises different considerations. Navigating crowded subway platforms with kids and luggage means divided attention—you’re watching bags, checking directions, and making sure nobody wanders off. Direct transportation removes these moments where you’re juggling too many things at once.
For families with young children, absolutely. The zoo houses over 4,000 animals across exhibits like the Congo Gorilla Forest, JungleWorld, and Tiger Mountain.
Kids love Nature Trek with its suspended bridges and treetop paths. The Children’s Zoo offers hands-on time with farm animals and play areas where they can build nests and explore. Seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo in October and Holiday Lights in winter add extra reasons to visit.
One trip doesn’t cover everything. Most families need multiple visits, which makes exploring what else the Bronx offers worthwhile beyond just the airport route.
Download the zoo map beforehand. With 265 acres to cover, knowing which exhibits your family wants to see most prevents aimless wandering. Enter through the gate closest to those areas.
Bring snacks and water. The zoo has food, but having your own saves time and money. Plenty of shaded spots work for picnics.
Wear comfortable shoes. Even with a plan, you’ll walk several miles. Strollers help for younger kids, though some paths have hills where carriers work better.
Weekday mornings during the school year see fewer crowds. You’ll get better views at popular exhibits and shorter waits for attractions. Summer weekends and holidays pack the place.
Many animals are more active in cooler morning hours. Big cats often nap in afternoon heat but prowl their habitats in the morning. See your must-visit animals first.
Moving a large group from the airport takes more planning than a single family. Decide if one big vehicle makes sense or if splitting into two smaller rides gives you more flexibility.
Larger groups should pick a meeting spot inside the zoo in case you separate. Fountain Circle at the Fordham Road Gate works well—it’s central, distinctive, and has seating.
Similar transportation challenges apply if you’re attending events like the US Open at Flushing Meadows. Flying into Newark or JFK instead? The same family-friendly transportation principles apply regardless of which airport you use.
Understanding pickup procedures at all three major NYC airports helps you plan smoother arrivals, especially if you’re coordinating with other families.
Family travel always comes with complications. Flights get delayed, kids get cranky, plans change. The parts you can control—like getting from point A to point B—make everything else easier.
Choose transportation that removes problems, not adds them. Arriving at the Bronx Zoo relaxed from the airport beats showing up exhausted after a complicated commute. Your kids will remember the gorillas—not the subway transfers.
Check the zoo’s website for current hours, ticket prices, and special events during your visit. Timed-entry tickets are required now, so book those along with your transportation.
Think about what your family actually needs. Traveling light with older kids who can handle transit? The subway might work fine. Bringing a toddler and infant with all their gear? Door-to-door service makes more sense.
Research early. Last-minute arrangements cost more and offer fewer choices. Booking ahead lets you compare options and secure what your family needs.
Getting from LGA to Bronx Zoo doesn’t have to be the hard part of your trip. A little planning turns potential chaos into a good start to your family adventure.
