Travelling from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): What you need to know
There are two main airports where your trip can begin in Nairobi. Explore your options departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL) when reserving your flight from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The average length of a direct Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport flight is 15 hours.
The timezone in New York is UTC-4, which is seven hours behind Nairobi. John F. Kennedy International Airport is located in New York.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the busiest route, with 8 direct services every week. Get from NBO to JFK on Kenya Airways's 8:45am flight.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from Nairobi to JFK.
Travelling during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Airports in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Get to your destination in one go from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Direct flights from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) operate from here.
Kenya Airways is a well-known airline that offers direct flights from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport departing from NBO.
The majority of travellers choose to book seats with Kenya Airways from NBO to JFK.
Kenya Airways is the most consistent performer for punctuality on this route.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even explore another city. When browsing cheap flights from Nairobi to JFK departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to get ideas for where to visit along the way. Popular options include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport (ABJ)
Travelling from central Nairobi to NBO takes around 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these stays close to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 67.1% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
On public transport, you can travel from central Nairobi to WIL in about 45 minutes. The terminal is roughly 3 kilometres away, and getting there by car takes approximately 15 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your Nairobi to JFK flight? Relax in a hotel near Wilson Airport before your adventure officially begins. These stays are expecting you:
About John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Have a late flight from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport? Don't let your travel day stretch into tomorrow. Check in to one of these hotels near JFK and give yourself a well-earned lights-out:
Explore without limits with a John F. Kennedy International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Budget, Dollar or Sixt and chase adventure across New York and beyond.
Booking your ride around two weeks ahead of your Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport flight can help you get a cheaper deal.
JFK is located at JFK Airport.
Getting from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to central New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport to the centre of New York is about 19 kilometres. If you're getting a cab or renting a car, do some research to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times will vary depending on traffic and the time of day.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 20 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport is R 8,696. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 12,500. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Booking early is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Nairobi to JFK. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport tickets throughout the month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a lower fare pops up on plane tickets from Nairobi to JFK.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The best time to fly from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
May is the quietest month for flights from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit New York based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in New York is July, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Nairobi to JFK plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about New York
Once you've booked your flight from Nairobi to John F. Kennedy International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring New York:
Central Park and Manhattan Skyline are just a couple of the top-rated attractions to add to your New York travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Statue of Liberty.
Explore more of the United States
Philadelphia is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen New York. Around 137 kilometres away to the south-west, its best attractions include Independence Hall, Liberty Bell and Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Around 290 kilometres south-west of New York, Baltimore is another essential stop in the United States. Start your sightseeing at Baltimore Aquarium, National Aquarium and Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place.