9 Direct Flights From NYC for 2024, Starting at $250 Round-Trip

All three airports are easily accessible via public transport and boast an array of lounges for frequent fliers, though, like everything else in New York, they have a tendency to get over-crowded. Fortunately, you can enroll in TSA PreCheck or register for Clear at NYC airports to avoid long security lines.

But before you worry about security lines, you have to book your flight, which means figuring out where to go next. Fortunately, there are plenty of direct flights from NYC to international destinations starting at surprisingly low prices.

These are the nine best international flights from New York City to help you plan your next adventure, listed in order of price by airport.

Direct Flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the go-to airport for international travel for New Yorkers. It’s the sixth largest airport in the United States, serving 190 destinations, 78 countries, and 72 airlines. Because of the volume of flights, rates tend to be cheaper than in Newark, and there are more options for direct flights.

JFK is also the easiest to access via public transit, with a stop on the E train in Long Island, so you don’t have to pay for an expensive airport shuttle. You’ll want to arrive quite early, however, as it’s the busiest airport in the state.

Flights to Portugal from NYC

• Flight time: 6 hours, 15 minutes
• Airlines: Azores, Tap Air
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $880 (February)
• Where to stay: This Bright Pink Hotel on a Tropical European Island Is a Literal Dream Getaway

Non-stop flights from JFK to Madeira, Portugal, launched in November 2022 and offer travelers quick and easy access to the idyllic European destination. Madeira and Porto Santo are the two main inhabited islands in the Madeira Islands, a small Portuguese island chain off the western coast of Africa, roughly 350 miles from Morocco. The tropical European island has long been a well-kept secret amongst frequent fliers, renowned for its mountainous coastline, volcanic lava pools, and picturesque vineyards that provide plenty to do.

The new flight path is a sign that the island is increasingly becoming popular on a global stage, and, thanks to its positioning in the North Atlantic, it’s one of the best direct flights from NYC for a long weekend trip (though you may want to stay along its shores for far longer than that). The best months to visit are August and September, when the weather is warmest, though there’s no bad time to visit this Portuguese oasis — the subtropical climate guarantees 12 months of sunshine.

Once you arrive, lounging at the beach is certainly an option, but you’ll find plenty of adventure activities ranging from waterfall-jumping tours to wine-tasting tours in an open-air Jeep. And the hiking is also world-class, with an extremely well-marked system of coastal and inland trails. Oh, and don’t forget to take a wild basket ride while you’re there, too.

Read more about Madeira, Portugal

• Europe’s First Digital Nomad Village Is Opening in Portugal
• Headed To Europe? Here’s Why You Should Add Madeira To Your Trip.
• 13 Images That Prove Renting a Motorbike in Madeira, Portugal Is a Magical Experience

Flights to Kenya from NYC

• Flight time: 13 hours, 45 minutes
• Airlines: Kenya Airways
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $820 (February)
• Where to stay: Sleep and Dine With Giraffes at This Giraffe Hotel in Kenya

When Kenya Airways launched its first direct flight from JFK to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi in October 2018, it was a major step forward in connecting the US to East Africa. Previously, travelers on a Kenyan vacation had to connect through Europe, adding days onto an already lengthy trip. But now, your next great safari — or beachside getaway in Lamu — is closer than ever. Just make sure to travel on weekdays when the direct flight is available.

When you arrive in the nation’s capital, try to avoid the typical traveler’s mistake of boarding a Safarilink plane immediately to the grasslands. While Kenya is renowned for its wildlife and savannah, there’s more to the country than just going on safari. Nairobi is home to a vibrant and young urban scene, with lively nightlife, unique coffee shops and restaurants, trendy art galleries, and gorgeous boutique hotels.

Plus, with the city’s close proximity to the elephants of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the residents of Giraffe Manor, you don’t need to travel far to interact with African animals. Nairobi is one of the few places where you can do a safari in a long weekend, as Nairobi National Park is a mere 30 minutes from the airport.

Read more about Kenya

• This Kenyan Gin Bar Is the Best Place To See Elephants on Safari
• 8 Essential Dishes To Understand the History of Kenya’s Swahili Coast
• This National Park in Kenya Is Home To More Than a Million Flamingos
  
• Get Your Caffeine Fix on These 4 Kenyan Coffee and Tea Tours
• Everything You Need To Know To Visit Kenya for the First Time

Flights to New Zealand from NYC

• Flight time: 17 hours, 30 minutes
• Airlines: Air New Zealand, Qantas, American
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $1,290 (year-round)
• Where to stay: The 6 Best Luxury Resorts in New Zealand

Air New Zealand launched the first direct flight between JFK and Auckland in September 2022, eliminating the need for New York travelers to stop in Texas or California en route to the gorgeous South Pacific nation. Sure, 17 hours is a long flight, but it’s a comparatively minimal price to pay for getting to visit. New Zealand is a destination truly worth circling the globe to visit.

Home to dramatic fjords, pristine glaciers, and endless undulating hillsides, New Zealand is famous for its otherworldly nature — hence its nickname of “The Real Middle Earth.” But the culture and cuisine of the Oceania island are also not to be overlooked, and Auckland is the perfect starting point for a trip through NZ.

Thrill-seekers can opt for the Skywalk along New Zealand’s tallest skyscraper for a view of the city, while beach lovers should head west to the coast to enjoy the spectacular sunset at Piha Beach. New Zealand’s world-renowned vineyards are along the eastern coast, while lush rainforests abound in the sup-tropical North Island of New Zealand. Unlike some other direct flights from NYC on this list, there’s not much point in going for just a few days. Budget at least two weeks at a minimum to get a feel for the country.

Read more about New Zealand:

• 20 Years Later, Here’s How ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Has Changed New Zealand
• Why Raglan Is New Zealand’s Coolest Tiny Surf Town
• The Meaning Behind the Haka, New Zealand’s Mesmerizing Maori Dance

Direct Flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is another portal for New Yorkers to the world beyond. It’s a smaller (and often less crowded) hub for travelers, with only three terminals compared to JFK’s six. As a result, there are fewer options for direct flights, though EWR still connects travelers to 183 destinations in 57 countries.

While JFK is easiest to reach on the subway, EWR’s location in Newark is more convenient for travelers leaving from the west side of Manhattan as the AirTrain connects EWR to Penn Station in about 25 minutes.

Flights to Peru from NYC

• Flight time: 8 hours
• Airlines: United
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $360 (off and on throughout the year)
• Where to stay: Hotels Near Machu Picchu Perfect for Post-Trek Relaxation

Fly south to the Peruvian capital of Lima with United’s direct flight from EWR. While many travelers are already aware of the charms of South American capitals such as Bogota or Buenos Aires, this cosmopolitan destination along the Pacific Ocean remains wildly underrated. And flights are quite the steal, often under $400.

While many visitors view Lima as a stopover to Cusco and Machu Picchu, the city holds a charm all its own. Avid surfers from all over the globe flock to Lima’s beaches as the Peruvian city is among the most underrated surfing destinations in the world (and one of the birthplaces of the sport). Travelers can spend a day on the beach and an evening visiting the bars and restaurants of the popular Miraflores District, home to some of the city’s best nightlife. The Larco Museum has fascinating exhibits on the nation’s pre-Columbian history, and you’ll definitely want to take a walking tour of the innovative street art and galleries in the neighboring district of Barranco.

Read more about Lima

• What It’s Like To Eat Guinea Pig in Peru for the First Time
• This Hostel In Lima Is The Perfect Basecamp To Explore The City
• Sleep Like a Condor in Peru’s Only Cliff-Hanging Capsule Hotel
• Go Here, Not There: Choquequirao Is as Epic as Machu Picchu (but Without the Crowds)

Flights from NYC to Paris

• Flight time: 7 hours, 10 minutes
• Airlines: Air France, Delta, United, La Compagnie, French Bee, Air Caraibes
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $370 (winter)
• Where to stay: The 9 Most Exciting Boutique Hotels in Paris

As 1943’s “Casablanca” told us, “we’ll always have Paris.” (Well, barring a global pandemic). But it’s nice to know that a trip to the City of Light is as easy as ever thanks to the array of  flights from NYC to Paris, from EWR direct to Charles De Gaulle Airport. And if you’re looking to save money before spending Euros overseas, consider a trip towards the end of the year, when round-trip prices dip below $500.

While the allure of the French capital remains well-documented in popular culture, there’s still so much to discover on a trip to Paris. Whether you’re interested in living like a local in the eccentric 18th Arrondissement of Montmartre or clubbing in the Marais, there’s something to entice every type of traveler. Of course, you could fill an entire trip with just visiting museums; the Louvre alone can warrant two or three days.

Read more about Paris

• The Complete Guide to Paris’ Train Stations
• 11 Paris Rooftop Bars That Show Off the City’s Skyline
• The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide to Paris

Flights to Japan from NYC

• Flight time: 14 hours, 30 minutes
• Airlines: United, ANA
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $1,070 (winter)
• Where to stay: The Top Tokyo Hotels in Each Must-See Neighborhood

After nearly three years of restrictions, Japan reopened its borders in October 2022 and businesses and hotels are anxious to get visitation back to normal levels. And if you’re looking to save money on airfare, check out the rates for a direct flight to Narita International Airport, which are lowest in the fall. That’s also good news for skiers, since the low rates continue into December.

Tokyo is a cultural hotspot and a trendsetting capital, not just within the nation of Japan but throughout the world. You can spend days getting lost in the city’s art districts, historical sites, and shopping centers, experiencing the city’s very distinct historical and modern-day cultures and subcultures.

To capitalize on the country’s natural beauty in the fall, time your trip for November, when the Japanese maple trees (momiji) turn red. Much is said about Tokyo’s cherry blossom season in March and April, but autumnal leaf peeping in Japan is just as colorful (and usually more affordable). And Tokyo is so lively that there’s always something happening year-round.

Read more about Tokyo:

• 5 Hidden Temples in Tokyo You Need to Visit
• 12 Tokyo Airbnbs in the heart of the incredible city
• This Rowdy Alleyway Is the Best Place To Drink Beer and People Watch in Tokyo
• How To Explore Japan on the Country’s Bullet Trains

Direct Flights from LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is in Queens, just north of Manhattan, and is the smallest airport in New York City. While LGA is generally reserved for domestic travel, the airport does offer a few direct flights from NYC to international locales, with non-stop flights to 84 destinations in four countries other than the US: Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Canada.

The small airport is easy to navigate and reachable on the F or N subway lines. And since it’s only 10 miles from Manhattan, it’s cheaper and faster to reach by taxi than other other New York airports, especially if you’re uptown or on the east side. Plus, the recent renovations have been hailed as both innovative and luxurious, and the full $8 billion redesign will be complete by the end of 2024.

Flights to Toronto from NYC

• Flight time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
• Airlines: Air Canada, United, WestJet, Delta
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $250 (all year)
• Where to stay: 8 Hotels in Toronto With Outstanding Service and Proximity To Must-See Attractions

Consider a trip to our neighbor up north with a jaunt up to Ontario. Toronto Pearson International Airport is just under a two-hour direct flight from NYC’s LaGuardia, and prices are extremely reasonable year-round. Toronto is Canada’s largest city and home to impressive art galleries and museums — not to mention the Hockey Hall of Fame (a tribute to the most Canadian of sports).

Toronto is an ideal place to spend a cosmopolitan weekend exploring award-winning restaurants and outdoor festivals, or doing some nearby sightseeing. Iconic Niagara Falls is nearby (and much more beautiful on the Canadian side), as is Prince Edward Island, a coastal oasis with red-sand beaches every bit as gorgeous as the pink sands of the Bahamas.

Read more about Toronto:

• The Best Airbnbs in Downtown Toronto, From the Harbourfront To the CN Tower
• The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Guide To Toronto
  
• You Can Ride This Train for 2775 Miles Across Canada’s Cities, Prairies, and Rocky Mountains
• The Most Diverse City in the World Also Has Its Most Exciting Food Market

Flights to Bermuda from NYC

• Flight time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
• Airlines: JetBlue
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $350 (Jan and Feb)

Bermuda during the summer is a social whirlwind, from polo matches to sailing races to cricket championships. Luckily, JetBlue operates flights from LGA to the Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport during the island’s peak season (May through Labor Day), making flights to Bermuda from NYC a reasonable summer splurge.

Though Bermuda’s atmosphere and ambiance feel very Caribbean, the island is in the Atlantic Ocean, just 650 miles east of North Carolina. As such, the flight time is under two and a half hours — and round-trip prices are often under $300. If you’ve yet to visit this pastel paradise of pink houses, white sand, and turquoise waters, add it to your schedule for a last-minute summer trip. Rum punch awaits.

Read more about Bermuda:

• How To See the Best Bermuda Caves, Including Several You’ve Never Heard Of
• How Goslings Rum Defines Bermudian Culture
• The 13 Most Stunning Pink Sand Beaches in the World
• The Most Diverse City in the World Also Has Its Most Exciting Food Market

Flights to the Bahamas from NYC

• Flight time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
• Airlines: JetBlue
• Lowest round-trip price in 2024: $250 (January)
• Where to stay: 17 of the Most Breathtaking Airbnbs in the Bahamas

There are few things worse than the bitter cold of a New York winter, and there’s no greater relief from a Polar Vortex than a trip to the tropics. Snowbirds should rejoice at the easy accessibility of direct flights from NYC’s LaGuardia to Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas. You can get there fast and then take it slow. Beach Boys, anyone?

While there are few Caribbean destinations as well-known as the Bahamas, the nation’s capital of Nassau still holds many surprises and delights for first-time visitors and return travelers alike. If you’re not into all-inclusive resorts, leave them behind for a stay at Compass Point (a favored recording destination of both Bob Marley and The Rolling Stones) and venture out on a walking food tour of the city with Tru Bahamian Food Tours, which provides guests with a fascinating history of the capital (and plenty of rum, of course). Nearly any other tropical activity you can imagine is also an option, from snorkeling to sunset cruises to stand-up paddleboarding and even submarine tours.

Read more about the Bahamas

• The 8 Best Conch Shacks and Restaurants in the Bahamas
• The 13 Most Stunning Pink-Sand Beaches in the World
• An Inside Look at Baha Mar’s Massive New Water Park, Complete With 24 Slides
• You Can Take an Easy Day Trip To the Bahamas on This Florida Ferry