Trips to New York City
What to know about New York
New York, also known as The Big Apple and The City That Never Sleeps, is arguably one of the most famous and diverse cities on earth. Whether walking around Central Park, visiting the Statue of Liberty, taking in a show on Broadway, or taking a picture at Times Square, New York would take a lifetime to experience to its fullest.
Of course, we at Opodo are no strangers to America's biggest city. Our service simplifies the search process to offer the best flight time to New York, and we've written this page with tips and ideas to help you make the most of your trip. Check out the fantastic festivals of spring, go ice skating in winter, or catch a famous New York slice, the choice is up to you!
Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in New York to your destination and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.
What to do in New York in a Weekend
Writing a plan of things to do in New York over a weekend is a challenge, it's impossible to fit in everything we want to suggest for food, sights, and adventure. Despite this, we've put together some of our top recommendations. One thing's for sure: you can rest assured that you'll have no shortage of things to do and sights to see in The Big Apple, so have at it!
Day 1: Visit New York’s Central Park
Big trips can leave you tired and, after landing in a city as busy as New York, it can be tricky to catch your breath. To relax and recharge, Central Park can be a great place to centre yourself. The Great Hill and East Meadow are perfect for picnics, or just to chill out with some local food. New York-style treats like bagels with cream cheese, chopped cheese sandwiches, and pastrami on rye are just a few famously tasty ideas.
After a little recovery, a short walk to the south end of the park down 7th Avenue can take you to the bright and brilliant Times Square. Here in 'The Crossroads of the World', you can take in the iconic, towering billboards and roam around any of the many shops and museums, like Madame Tussauds.
Day 2: Take in New York’s history
Starting with your second day means your first full New York breakfast. Nothing beats the deliciously simple, authentic American diner breakfast with bacon, eggs, toast, black coffee, and waffles.
With a full belly, the city calls with infinite sightseeing potential. For the classic approach, the Empire State Building, and a tour to see the Statue of Liberty are popular choices to cross off your bucket list. Museum enthusiasts could also consider the Metropolitan Museum of Art, home to one of the broadest collections of astounding creative works in existence. For a more naturalist take, the American Museum of Natural History finds a place as one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural repositories. Be sure to fill up between museums, these take hours to cover even if you're moving quickly.
At night, a ticket to a Broadway show is the perfect choice for first-class musical enthusiasts, or a steakhouse dinner/rooftop bar might be more your speed. If you want to dance the night away, West Village and Hell's Kitchen will keep your feet moving all night.
Day 3: Your last day in New York
On your last day in the City that Never Sleeps, we hope you found at least a wink because we're not done yet! Rounding out a final day might first involve some recovery, so again, we'd recommend a hearty breakfast. This time, why not go with a New York hotdog from a cart? It might not be breakfast food, but try to find a New Yorker who hasn't taken the breakfast hotdog route once or twice!
To chill out before you need to catch your flight, consider a coffee or two in one of New York's many smaller parks like Bryant Park or The Battery. To cap off the experience, a simple walk through the streets to absorb the city's character can be the perfect way to end your time in the City of Dreams. Consider buying a nicknack along the way, and remember to take the infamous New York traffic into account when planning what time to head to the airport.
In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in New York and travel the open road.
Frequently asked questions about flights to New York
What are the names of the New York airports?
The three international airports serving New York include the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
Which airlines offer direct flights to New York?
12 airlines fly direct from London to New York. These include:
- Air France
- American Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- British Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- Iberia
- JetBlue Airways
- Lufthansa
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Norse Atlantic UK
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
Support for children travelling alone depends on the airline you've booked tickets with and their policies. Check policies carefully before you purchase tickets if possible, and visit their website for a full list of child travelling support services. If offered, you should be able to contact the airline directly to get everything sorted out.
How can I travel with an assistance dog?
How and whether you can travel with an assistance dog depends on the policies of the airline you booked with. Check the websites of the airlines you're considering booking with first to see if they allow assistance animals. If they do, you should be able to contact them directly through official support channels to organise help.
How do I find cheap flights to New York that have flexible change policies at Opodo?
To find cheap flights to New York, search for flights on our search engine, then click on the 'Cheapest' tab that filters results by cost. You can select an option to explore to go to the next page which lists various flexible ticket plans, their costs, and what's included within.
How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo in New York?
Opodo offers sorting functions to determine the best deals when you're sorting out your flights and hotel to New York. You can book these together when searching with us by using the 'Flight + hotel' search tab. Going through this process shows the cheapest flights and a list of hotels with the option to filter your results further.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
Checked baggage will depend on your airline and their weight/size limits. Find these when you book your ticket, or later on the host airline's website. Certain devices and items like those with batteries require carry-on and can't go in checked storage.
How can I check in with Opodo?
You can check in with Opodo by taking your ticket to the associated airline desk at the airport. Some airlines like British Airways and Emirates let you check in online before the flight to save time. Check your ticket and your host airline to see if that's an option for you.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from my departure city to New York?
Cancellation fees depend on the airline's policies and the type of tickets you've booked, though cheaper tickets will tend to have higher cancellation fees. To check whether your cancellation will come with a fee, check the policies of the airline you booked with.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
Flights with Opodo are eligible for compensation if the following occurs:
- The flight was at least three hours late in arriving at its final destination.
- The reason for the delay was in the control of the airline. Bad weather is not something an airline can choose, but messing up staffing would be.
Important New York Airport Information
There are three international airports in New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with five terminals to the southeast, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with three terminals to the west, and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with three terminals to the northeast.
As fully equipped international airports, each of these three includes the following facilities and services:
- Banks, ATMs, and currency exchanges
- Free wi-fi
- 24/7 help desks
- Eateries and duty-free shopping
- Lounges and business centres
- Pharmacies
- Charging stations
- Baggage wrapping and handling
- Emergency and health services
Each also offers full support for disabled travellers on request.
For connections from each airport to the city centre, the following are available:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
Travellers from JFK have four different methods to get between the airport and the city centre:
- A tram and subway ride takes around 60 minutes and costs around $20.00
- Buses take around 90 minutes and cost around $18, operating from 07:40 to 04:00
- Taxis take around 45 minutes (traffic dependent) and cost around $65.00
- Rideshare options take around 45 minutes (traffic dependent) and cost around $70
Car rentals are also available at varying prices.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Travellers from Newark Liberty International Airport have four different methods to get between the airport and the city centre:
- A tram and subway ride takes around 45 minutes and costs around $30.00 operating from 05:00 to 02:00
- Buses take around 60 minutes and cost around $35, operating from 04:00 to 01:00
- Taxis take around 30 minutes (traffic dependent) and cost around $50.00
- Rideshare options take around 30 minutes (traffic dependent) and cost around $55.00
LaGuardia Airport (LGR) in Queens, New York City
Travellers from LaGuardia Airport have five different methods to get between the airport and the city centre:
- Trains take around 20 minutes and cost around $12
- Subways take about 50 minutes and cost $5
- Buses take around 50 minutes and cost around $10
- Taxis take around 30 minutes (traffic dependent) and cost around $37.00
- Rideshare options take around 30 minutes (traffic dependent) and cost around $46.00
Remember that many parts of New York's subway system run all night, but it might be safer to rely on other travel methods once it gets late.
The Best Times to Visit New York
The best time to visit New York depends on your needs, your budget, and your interests. So, let's break a few popular categories down to help you find exactly what you need.
The best all-around time to go to New York is the September to November period. The weather here is mild and less humid, the summer tourist rush has subsided, and lines are shorter. The changing of the seasons also gives autumn visitors a chance to see the changing of the leaves, which of course means a visit to Central Park. Great for sightseeing and some big events like the New York Film Festival, Fashion Week, and the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, this is our pick for the best overall time to visit The Big Apple.
If you're on a budget, the cheapest time to go to New York and still have a fantastic and fun experience can be around January and February. Flights and hotels will both be cheaper and more available during these cold months. While it's a must to dress warm, the winter period also provides ample opportunities for winter activities. Ice skating is huge in iconic areas like Rockefeller Centre and Bryant Park, and you can even track down discounted theatre tickets during Broadway Week. Just be sure you avoid the big holidays, as these can get cramped and expensive!
May to June rounds out offerings with some of the best times to visit for cultural events and festivals. With events like Shakespeare in the Park, the Governors Ball Music Festival, and the world-famous Pride Parade, there's something here for everyone. Plus, the cherry blossoms bloom in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens giving something for nature lovers to check out. Good shoes are a must because hey, you'll be walking here!
