Flights to Kenya: direct from New York, eTA rules and safari flights

Photo: Kenya Airways Boeing 787, by Mark Harkin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The simplest way to fly to Kenya from the U.S. is Kenya Airways' direct flight from New York JFK to Nairobi, which averages about 13 hours 45 minutes. From most other U.S. airports you'll connect at least once. Before you go, every visitor needs a Kenyan eTA, and most safari lodges are reached on a short bush flight from a second Nairobi airport.

Flights to Kenya at a glance

What	Details
Main airport	Jomo Kenyatta International, Nairobi (NBO)
Direct from the U.S.	Kenya Airways, New York JFK to Nairobi
Flight time, JFK to Nairobi	About 13 h 45 min on average (Kenya Airways)
Entry	Kenyan eTA for all visitors, applied for online
Safari connections	Small planes from Wilson Airport, Nairobi
Fares	Check current fares

Direct flights from New York

Kenya Airways flies direct between New York JFK and Nairobi, and the airline says the average flight time is about 13 hours 45 minutes. Kenya Airways added frequencies on the route in 2026 because planes were flying nearly full, so check its timetable for the current days of operation before you plan around a date.

In Nairobi, Kenya Airways connects to many other African cities through its hub, which is useful if your safari continues to Tanzania, Uganda or the coast.

Flying from Boston, Fort Lauderdale or another U.S. airport? Expect at least one connection, either through New York or through a hub in Europe, the Middle East or Africa. Compare total travel time as well as price: a slightly higher fare with one short connection can save you a long overnight layover.

Entry rules: the Kenya eTA

Kenya requires an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for every visitor, and U.S. citizens are not exempt. Apply only on the official site, etakenya.go.ke.

• Cost: the standard fee starts at $30. Expedited processing adds $100.
• Timing: applications are usually processed in about 3 working days. Kenya recommends applying at least 2 weeks before you travel.
• What you'll need: a passport valid for at least 6 months, a selfie or passport-style photo, your flight itinerary, your accommodation booking and a payment card.
• Passport pages: the U.S. State Department lists two blank passport pages for Kenya.
• Yellow fever: carry proof of vaccination if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, or you may be refused entry.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, see Plan a Safari's Kenya eTA guide.

Getting from Nairobi to the safari

Most visitors to the Masai Mara and other parks finish the trip on a small plane. These flights leave from Wilson Airport, a separate airport in Nairobi, not from Jomo Kenyatta International where long-haul flights land. Leave enough time to transfer between the two by road, or plan a night in Nairobi.

Governors' Camp in the Masai Mara says the flight from Wilson takes about 45 minutes. Bush planes have tight baggage rules: Governors' Aviation allows 15 kg (34 lbs) per person, hand luggage included, in soft-sided bags. Pack accordingly. Plan a Safari's packing list is built around that limit.

When to go and what it costs

Fares to Nairobi follow safari seasons, so your travel dates matter as much as your departure airport. Plan a Safari covers the best time to visit Kenya for a safari, including the Great Migration months, and how much a Kenya safari costs once flights, park fees and lodges are added up.

Tips for booking flights to Kenya

1. Search JFK first. The direct Kenya Airways flight avoids a connection; compare it against one-stop options from your home airport. See our JFK airport page.
2. Book the long-haul flight before the bush flight. Your safari camp or operator can then time the Wilson departure to your arrival.
3. Apply for the eTA early. It needs your flight and accommodation details, so do it right after booking.
4. Check bag rules on every leg. Your international ticket may allow a big suitcase, but the bush plane will not.

Prices and rules change. Always confirm with Kenya Airways and the official eTA site before you travel.