One of the challenges of living in a prominent transit hub like New York City can be navigating your way to and from its airports.

Many New Yorkers who've traveled have a story to tell about switching between two subways and a bus to make it to the airport or overpaying for a cab. Depending on the location and time of the day, a taxi to LaGuardia Airport — one of the city's three airports — can cost anywhere from $24 to $44, excluding tips and tolls, while an Uber can cost up to $100.

But a new, third option could soon eliminate the high costs or stress associated with getting to and from LaGuardia.

Last week, Uber announced the launch of a new $18 shuttle service from three Manhattan locations to LaGuardia Airport and back starting October 8.

To test the new service, Business Insider's Priyanka Rajput took a shuttle from Penn Station to LaGuardia's Terminal C and returned from the airport to Port Authority.

[Rajput thought it was easy to reserve a spot on the shuttle on the Uber app. Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider]

The process for booking your Uber Shuttle is similar to booking cab rides on the regular app. In its initial phase, you can reserve a maximum of four seats up to five minutes before a trip or as early as seven days in advance.

After the service launched, Rajput made a reservation for October 10 at 8:45 a.m. for a pickup from Penn Station and drop-off at LaGuardia's Terminal C.

The shuttle usually operates at a flat rate of $18, but since Uber is offering 50% off its airport shuttle rides until November 1, Rajput got a one-way ticket for $9.

[Uber is offering a 50% discount to everyone who uses the Shuttle to the airport before November 1. Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider]

You can also enter your pick-up and drop-off location when you open the app and then select the "shuttle" option. This will prompt a portal with multiple route and time options and you can choose the day and time that work best for you.

The shuttles run every 30 minutes between 5 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. daily. Since there are two separate routes, a shuttle is available every 15 minutes.

[When Rajput was booking a spot, the app showed her the two stops closest to her home, which were Penn Station and Port Authority. Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider]

Uber Shuttle has two routes, and between them, they provide pick-up and drop-off from three Midtown locations: Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street, Port Authority Terminal on 42nd Street, and Penn Station on 33rd Street.

The three stops in Manhattan are in tourist-friendly areas. They are located at major transit hubs that connect passengers to New York's subway system, the Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit, and the PATH trains.

At the airport, drop-offs and pick-ups are limited to Terminals C and B.

[If your pick-up is at Penn Station, your ride will be parked outside the main entrance to Madison Square Garden. Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider]

Since Rajput lives in Midtown West, both stops, Penn Station and Port Authority — were a short 8- to 12-minute walk away. So, she decided to begin her journey from Penn Station and end it at Port Authority.

Due to her location, she found this to be easy and convenient, but people traveling from areas like the East Village or Brooklyn may not feel the same way and will still have to opt for buses, subways, or taxis.

She arrived just in time for her 8:45 a.m. shuttle. However, Uber recommends arriving at least five minutes before your departure.

Although Rajput was following the directions shared on the link, it took her a minute to spot the shuttle since there were no signs or posters indicating where the shuttles would be.

[Inside the shuttle it was dim, but cozy. Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider]

Once the driver scanned Rajput's QR code on her Uber app, she was free to choose from any of the 14 seats.

Seven people had already boarded the bus, but there was plenty of room for Rajput. She opted for one of the single seats on the right side.

From then on — except for the soft sounds of the radio playing in the background — it was a quiet ride.

[While the space wasn't the best, each seat had a dedicated charging station. Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider]

There was less than an arm's distance between the row of seats on the left and right, but it did not bother Rajput. Given that the shuttle was not at capacity, there was still space.

The black-and-red-lined seats were cozy, with a charging outlet in every row. Rajput wishes there had been a little more legroom to put a handbag or backpack below the seat in front, but that was only a minor issue.

The windows had a dark sun-protection covering, which created a dim and cozy environment inside.

[Rajput reached the airport 35 minutes after starting at Penn Station. Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider]

When booking, Rajput was most skeptical about arriving at the time shared on the app.

Given that she usually rushes to the airport an hour before her flight's scheduled departure, Rajput relies heavily on prayers and the estimated arrival times shared on Google or the taxi she's taking.

However, Rajput was pleasantly surprised when the van parked outside Terminal C's Entrance 13 at 9:22 a.m., just a minute later than the estimated arrival time.

To read more about Rajput's return journey with Uber's new shuttle service, head to Business Insider.

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