Flying from Nairobi to New York: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Nairobi. Check out your options departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL) when booking your flight from Nairobi to New York.
Disembark at one of New York's major gateways like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Alternatively, arrive at this city landing at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
The average length of a direct Nairobi to New York flight is 15 hours.
The timezone in New York is UTC-4, which is seven hours behind Nairobi.
The most popular route for flights from Nairobi to New York is from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). There are eight weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from NBO to JFK is the 08:45 Kenya Airways option. If you prefer travelling later, the latest available service is at 23:35 with Kenya Airways.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your Nairobi to New York flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to New York
Book two months before you want to travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Nairobi to New York flights.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Nairobi to New York is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then select the dates offering the lowest fares.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Nairobi to New York by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Save money on your Nairobi to New York flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
You can get a direct flight from Nairobi to New York departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Start your journey at NBO and touch down at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Keep an eye out for promotions with Kenya Airways. This airline offers direct Nairobi to New York plane tickets from NBO.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Nairobi to New York flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
NBO is about 11 kilometres from central Nairobi. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Nairobi to New York, these accommodation options will have you nice and close to your departure gate:
Of all flights leaving Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 67.1% touch down on time at their destination.
Arriving in New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is approximately 19 kilometres from the centre of New York. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
Getting there on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Nairobi to New York, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near JFK:
Grab a John F. Kennedy International Airport rental car and discover New York and beyond with your own set of wheels. Budget, Dollar and Sixt are popular outlets to choose from here.
Booking your vehicle from John F. Kennedy International Airport about two weeks in advance can help you get the best possible rate.
The street address for JFK is JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
After your flight from Nairobi to New York has landed, you can reach the city centre in around 30 minutes by car. Central New York is roughly 14 kilometres from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 10 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near EWR. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Nairobi to New York:
Dollar, Budget and Thrifty make picking up a Newark Liberty International Airport rental car simple. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from EWR three weeks in advance often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Newark Liberty International Airport can be found at Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is about 13 kilometres from the centre of New York. It takes about 25 minutes to get to the city centre in a car once you've stepped off your flight from Nairobi to New York.
If you travel by public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour.
If you don't want to make the journey into the centre, head for a hotel close to LGA. Check in to one of these options after your Nairobi to New York flight:
Stay in control of the next part of your trip by picking up a LaGuardia Airport rental car. Dollar, Ace Rent a Car and Thrifty make getting on the road effortless.
Plan ahead and pocket the savings. Book your ride from LGA two weeks before your flight from Nairobi to New York for the best deals.
LaGuardia Airport's address is Hangar 7 Centre.
Best time to go to New York
July is the most popular month for flights from Nairobi to New York. To escape the crowds, go to New York in May.
Book a Nairobi to New York ticket departing in July if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in New York to range from 18ºC (64ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF). Look for cheap flights from Nairobi to New York around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about New York
Once you've booked your flight from Nairobi to New York, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring New York:
Statue of Liberty and Central Park are just the start of the big attractions to put on your New York travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Empire State Building.
Explore more of United States
Philadelphia is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be discovered after you've experienced New York. Around 129 kilometres to the south-west, its top attractions include Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Boston is another must-experience destination in United States and is around 306 kilometres north-east of New York. No journey is complete without visiting Freedom Trail, Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.