Flights from Athens to New York: Prices and Routes

For flights from Athens to New York, a rough economy-class budget is €250–650 one way and €400–900 return, mainly outside peak periods. In summer and over the holidays, return fares can reach around €700–1,300 or more. A direct flight usually takes 10–11 hours. Emirates, Delta, American Airlines, United and Norse Atlantic serve the route, with varying seasonal schedules and frequencies. It is usually worth checking dates from mid-January to March and in November first, avoiding public holidays.

These are guide price ranges, not live deals or guaranteed fares. The final cost depends on your dates, availability, baggage and fare conditions. An airline offering direct flights in summer may not operate in winter, so check the schedule for your specific dates.

At a glance

• One-way fare: around €250–650 in economy, though prices can vary considerably.
• Return fare: around €400–900 off-peak and €700–1,300 or more during popular travel periods.
• Flight time: around 10–11 hours direct from Athens, or usually 13–18 hours with a convenient connection.
• Arrival airports: JFK and Newark, with airport codes JFK and EWR respectively.
• Direct airlines: Emirates, Delta, American Airlines, United and Norse Atlantic, depending on the season and available schedules.
• When fares are often lower: after the January holidays, in February, on some dates in March and in November outside Thanksgiving.
• What to compare: the total fare including checked baggage, travel time and the cost of reaching your accommodation.

Which airlines fly from Athens to New York?

Direct flights

Emirates connects Athens with Newark. Delta and American Airlines serve Athens–JFK, while United serves Athens–Newark. Norse Atlantic has also operated seasonal low-cost flights between Athens and JFK. Seasonal availability differs between airlines and may change from year to year.

Select “non-stop” when searching and check which airline actually operates the flight. A ticket may be sold under a partner airline’s flight number even though that airline does not operate aircraft on the route. Seasonal services change, so confirm the airline’s schedule before paying.

Connecting flights

Common options include Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, SWISS via Zurich, Austrian via Vienna, Air France via Paris, KLM via Amsterdam, British Airways via London and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. Availability depends on daily schedules and how the flight legs connect.

A connection can reduce the fare, but not always. Choose a single through-ticket where possible: if the first flight is delayed, your protection differs from that offered by two separate bookings. Also check for any change of airport and the transit requirements of the country where you connect.

How much do flights cost by season?

For a fair comparison, search for economy fares with the same baggage allowance and similar journey times. The following ranges are for return tickets per person and are intended as a budgeting guide, not a list of fares currently available.

• Mid-January–March: around €400–700, with exceptions around public holidays and periods of higher demand.
• April–May: around €450–850. Easter and popular departure dates can push prices up.
• June–August: around €650–1,200, with higher fares as available seats become scarce.
• September–October: around €500–950. Pleasant autumn weather does not automatically mean low demand.
• November outside Thanksgiving: around €400–750, depending on schedules and connections.
• Christmas and New Year: around €700–1,300 or more, especially around the busiest departure and return dates.

A one-way ticket does not necessarily cost half the return fare. Some full-service airline fares can be disproportionately expensive one way. For your overall budget, factor in hotels, taxes, food and local transport using our guide to how much a trip to New York costs.

When to book for a cheaper fare

A practical starting point is to monitor fares 3–6 months ahead. For summer and Christmas, start around 5–8 months in advance. These are planning windows, not rules that guarantee the lowest fare. There is no particular day of the week when all airlines lower their prices.

Try shifting your departure and return by a few days, set up price alerts and compare JFK with Newark. A cheaper late-night arrival may lose its advantage if it requires an expensive transfer. Also consider whether a long connection effectively costs you a day of your trip.

Decide in advance what total price works for you rather than chasing a small further saving indefinitely. Our tips for cheap flights can help you compare options properly. By contrast, relying on last-minute flights is not a dependable strategy for fixed transatlantic travel dates.

How long is the flight, and which airport will you arrive at?

A direct Athens–New York flight usually takes 10–11 hours. The scheduled return flight is often around 9–10 hours, mainly because of prevailing winds. Exact timings depend on the airport, route and conditions. With a connection, a reasonably smooth journey takes around 13–18 hours, but it can be considerably longer.

JFK is in Queens, while Newark Liberty is in New Jersey. Both serve the New York metropolitan area. LaGuardia may appear on an itinerary with a domestic connection in the US, but not as the arrival airport for a direct flight from Athens.

New York is usually seven hours behind Athens. For short periods in spring and autumn, the difference is six hours because the clocks change on different dates. Our guide to the Athens–New York flight time has more advice on planning your journey.

Getting from the airport to the city

The times below are mainly for journeys to Midtown Manhattan after leaving the terminal. They do not include passport control or baggage collection. Costs are approximate and quoted in US dollars; check them before travelling, as fares, tolls and surcharges change.

• JFK by AirTrain and subway: around 60–90 minutes and $11–15 per person. This is a budget-friendly option, but changing trains with large suitcases can take patience.
• JFK by AirTrain and Long Island Rail Road: around 45–70 minutes to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison, with a total cost of roughly $14–25, depending on the time and fare.
• JFK by official taxi: around 45–90 minutes, or longer in traffic. Budget roughly $90–130 to Manhattan, including typical surcharges, tolls and a tip. The final fare may vary.
• Newark by AirTrain and NJ Transit: around 40–65 minutes to New York Penn Station without long waits, and roughly $16–22 per adult. Do not confuse New York Penn Station with Newark Penn Station.
• Newark by express bus: around 50–100 minutes and $20–30 per person, depending on your stop, traffic and current fares.
• Newark by taxi or ride-hailing app: around 45–90 minutes or more, costing roughly $90–160 to Manhattan. High demand can push the price up further.

Check for engineering works, overnight services and any temporary AirTrain changes. If you are staying in Brooklyn or Queens, the best route may differ from the one to Manhattan.

What to see in New York and when to go

For a first visit, five to seven nights allow a manageable pace without spending your days rushing between sights. The most common mistake is treating the city as a checklist to complete. Plan each day around one or two nearby neighbourhoods and leave time to explore on foot. Distances in Manhattan look shorter on a map, while a trip to Brooklyn or north to the museums may involve subway changes. It also helps to have an indoor alternative for rainy weather.

In Midtown, combine Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park and the area around Rockefeller Center. Times Square is worth a short evening stop, but you do not need to devote much of your day to it. If you want to visit an observation deck, choose one based on its views and location rather than paying for several similar experiences. Sunset slots are popular and usually need more advance planning. For a Broadway show, compare official ticket outlets and check the seat location carefully, not just the starting price.

Central Park pairs well with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History, depending on your interests. Do not try to fit two major museums and the entire park into one day. Choose specific collections and leave time for a break. Visitors should not assume admission is free or pay-what-you-wish: each museum has its own rules, and some arrangements apply only to residents or other eligible groups. Check opening days and whether timed reservations are required, too.

In Lower Manhattan, you can combine the World Trade Center area, the 9/11 Memorial and a walk towards Battery Park. A visit to the museum needs dedicated time and a different frame of mind from a quick sightseeing stop. The free Staten Island Ferry offers views of the harbour and the Statue of Liberty, but does not stop at the statue’s island. For Liberty Island and Ellis Island, you need the appropriate official ferry ticket. Avoid sellers who blur the distinction between the different routes.

Walk across Brooklyn Bridge when the weather allows, then continue to DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Another day could focus on Greenwich Village, the West Village and Chelsea, taking in part of the High Line rather than constantly travelling by taxi. Food costs vary enormously: a simple neighbourhood meal can help keep your budget balanced, as long as you allow for tax and tips where there is table service. For more itineraries, see our New York travel guide.

May and September–October are often pleasant for walking, though neither settled weather nor affordable accommodation is guaranteed. Summer is hot and humid, while winter brings cold weather, shorter days and the possibility of storms. December suits travellers coming for the festive decorations, but calls for a larger budget and advance bookings. If that is your aim, our guide to Christmas in New York, with shopping tips and a three-day itinerary will help you prioritise.

Where to stay

For a first visit, Midtown is convenient for many classic sights, but is not always the cheapest or quietest option. The Upper West Side has more of a neighbourhood feel, while Long Island City in Queens can offer convenient access to Manhattan, provided your accommodation is close to a suitable subway station.

For Brooklyn, check the actual journey to the places you want to visit, not just the distance on a map. Compare final prices including taxes and mandatory fees, and check check-in hours if you are arriving late. Our detailed guide to where to stay in New York, including neighbourhoods and hotels will help you choose a base that suits your plans.

Baggage and low-cost airlines

The cheapest transatlantic fare may include only a personal item, with no standard cabin bag or checked suitcase. Pay particular attention to this with low-cost airlines such as Norse Atlantic, when flights are available on your dates. However, basic fares on full-service airlines often exclude checked baggage too.

Check the allowances and charges for personal items, cabin bags, checked baggage, meals, seat selection and changes separately. A typical economy checked bag has a 23 kg limit, but this is not a universal rule for every ticket. On an itinerary involving partner airlines, read the baggage allowance shown in your booking for each leg.

Practical tips before departure

• Entry documents: eligible holders of Greek biometric passports can travel under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA for permitted visits of up to 90 days. Eligibility also depends on your individual travel history. Otherwise, a visa may be required.
• Apply for ESTA early: apply through the official US government service as soon as you arrange your trip, not on departure day. Approval does not guarantee entry to the US.
• Time at the airport: follow your airline’s guidance, which usually means arriving around three hours before a transatlantic departure.
• Insurance: consider cover for medical expenses in the US, as the European Health Insurance Card does not cover you there.
• Connecting in the US: at your first US airport, you usually clear immigration and collect your bags for customs before checking them in again. Allow enough time.
• Your first day: avoid booking an expensive activity immediately after landing. Delays and border checks can disrupt your plans.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a flight from Athens to New York?

As a rough budget, allow €250–650 one way and €400–900 return outside peak periods. In summer and over the holidays, return fares can reach €700–1,300 or more. Baggage affects the final cost.

How long is the flight from Athens to New York?

A direct flight usually takes 10–11 hours. With one convenient connection, allow around 13–18 hours in total. The return flight to Athens is often shorter.

Which airlines fly direct from Athens to New York?

Emirates, Delta, American Airlines, United and Norse Atlantic serve the route, flying to JFK or Newark. Not all necessarily operate year-round. Check seasonal schedules for your dates.

Which airline is cheapest for New York?

No airline is consistently the cheapest. A basic low-cost fare may be good value if you do not need checked baggage, while a full-service airline deal or a connecting flight may work out cheaper overall.

Which month is cheapest for New York?

February, and the period from mid-January to March more generally, are often worth checking. November outside Thanksgiving can also offer good options. No month is guaranteed to be the cheapest every year.

Is it better value to fly into JFK or Newark?

It depends on where you are staying and your arrival time. JFK is often convenient for Queens and Brooklyn, while Newark has a rail link to the west side of Midtown. Compare the airfare and onward transfer costs together.