Flying from New York to Nairobi: what you need to know
When searching for a flight from New York to Nairobi, there's a 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 among New York's main options.
Step off your plane in Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL).
Book a direct New York to Nairobi flight and you'll be flying for an average of 13 hours 50 minutes.
The timezone in Nairobi is UTC+3, which is seven hours ahead of New York.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are eight departures a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from New York to Nairobi is with Kenya Airways at 20:00. Opt for the first JFK to NBO departure operated by Kenya Airways at 12:45 to fit in more activities on your first day in Nairobi.
To ensure you board your New York to Nairobi flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying over a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
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)
You can book a direct flight from New York to Nairobi jetting off from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Begin your trip at JFK and come in for landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
Secure your New York to Nairobi plane tickets with Kenya Airways. This carrier is a popular option for direct flights from JFK.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper New York to Nairobi flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of New York, JFK can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Want a handy hotel close to John F. Kennedy International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from New York to Nairobi, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Of all flights departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, 74.1% land on time at their destination.
JFK is located at JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Get more out of your holiday with a stopover on your New York to Nairobi flight. Visit friends or family or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you decide to do, here's where you can stop between Newark Liberty International Airport and Nairobi:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Using public transport, you can travel from central New York to EWR in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terminal is roughly 14 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from New York to Nairobi? Check in to a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport before your trip officially starts. Consider one of these stays:
73% of all departures from Newark Liberty International Airport arrive according to schedule.
EWR is located at Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
The journey time to LGA from the centre of New York is around 1 hour on public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you about 25 minutes to cover the 13 kilometres or so.
Make departure day worry-free — stay close to LaGuardia Airport and know you'll get to your gate with time to spare. Settle in at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early New York to Nairobi flight:
With 80.0% of its departing flights arriving as planned, LGA is a reliable starting point for any journey.
LaGuardia Airport is located at Hangar 7 Centre.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
The distance from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi is approximately 13 kilometres. It'll take you around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre on public transport takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near NBO if you have a late flight from New York to Nairobi. Select one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and explore beyond Nairobi's main sights.
Booking your ride from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around three weeks ahead gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Once your flight from New York to Nairobi has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is approximately 2 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL).
The journey will take about 45 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from New York to Nairobi, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to WIL. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Pick up a Wilson Airport rental car and be in control of your journey. You can choose from popular outlets like Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car.
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from WIL in advance so you can just 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
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Nairobi right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from New York to Nairobi:
Nairobi National Park and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are just a couple of the major attractions to add to your Nairobi to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top.
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.
