Flying from New York to Nairobi: what you need to know
When searching for your flight from New York to Nairobi, there's a nice selection of airports you can start your trip from. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are some of New York's main terminals.
When landing in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are the chief entry points.
The average time for a direct New York to Nairobi flight is 13 hours 50 minutes.
The timezone in Nairobi is UTC+3, which is seven hours ahead of New York.
The most popular route for flights from New York to Nairobi is from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). You can choose from eight weekly services between these two airports. If you want to maximize your time on arrival, the earliest flight from JFK to NBO is the 13:45 Kenya Airways service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the latest available service is at 20:00 with Kenya Airways.
Allow plenty of time to catch your New York to Nairobi flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're travelling during a peak month like July, head to the airport even earlier. It's wise to arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. Security lines will be longer during peak periods like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Nairobi
To score cheap New York to Nairobi flights, reserve your journey two months ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from New York to Nairobi is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Save time searching for cheap flights from New York to Nairobi by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' New York to Nairobi flights.
Flying from New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
If you're searching for a direct flight from New York to Nairobi, you can leave from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Travel from JFK to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) without making any stops.
Kenya Airways is a popular carrier that offers direct New York to Nairobi plane tickets from JFK.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even explore a different city. When searching for New York to Nairobi flights leaving from John F. Kennedy International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Travelling from central New York to JFK takes about 1 hour 20 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from New York to Nairobi? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to John F. Kennedy International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of John F. Kennedy International Airport, data shows 74.1% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
JFK's address is JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Visit family or friends or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your New York to Nairobi flight, browse these options when taking off from Newark Liberty International Airport:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
You can get to EWR from central New York in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 14 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from New York to Nairobi? Unwind in a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport before your vacation officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Newark Liberty International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 73.3%.
EWR is located at Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
The trip to LGA from the centre of New York is around 1 hour by public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you about 25 minutes to cover the 13 kilometres or so.
Sleep a little longer and still make your New York to Nairobi flight without having to rush. These accommodation options near LaGuardia Airport make getting to the terminal a breeze if you're setting off early:
With 80.0% of its departing flights arriving when they should, LGA is a dependable starting point for your journey.
LaGuardia Airport is located at Hangar 7 Centre.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi takes about 20 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from New York to Nairobi. Stay at one of these accommodation options near NBO instead:
Grab a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car and explore Nairobi and beyond with your own set of wheels. Auto-Union, Green Motion and Hertz are leading providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around three weeks ahead of your trip.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
As soon as your flight from New York to Nairobi has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in about 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is roughly 2 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL).
The journey will take about 45 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near WIL. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from New York to Nairobi:
Why wait around for a cab? A Wilson Airport rental car lets you start your journey right away. Put on your favourite playlist and hit the road with a set of wheels from Auto-Union or Unicorn rent a car.
Avoid filling out forms on the spot and save time at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from WIL in advance so you can simply collect the keys and drive away.
Best time to go to Nairobi
July is the busiest month for flights from New York to Nairobi. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Nairobi in February.
The warmest month in Nairobi is March, with temperatures ranging between 14ºC (57ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your New York to Nairobi ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
July has average temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Look for cheap flights from New York to Nairobi around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Nairobi
After booking your flight from New York to Nairobi, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Nairobi:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are must-visits when exploring Nairobi.
Explore more of Kenya
Nairobi is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Kenya waiting to be discovered. About 434 kilometres south-east of Nairobi, a trip to Mombasa will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading attractions like Fort Jesus, Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa.
Nakuru is another sought-after destination in Kenya and is around 145 kilometres north-west of Nairobi. No trip is complete without visiting ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest.