United States

How to get from New York City to Los Angeles

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
3h 15min
💶
From
259€
📍
Distance
3936 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from New York City to Los Angeles: Flight, about 3h 15min, from €259. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines; main departure point: John F Kennedy Airport.

Distance: 3936 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from New York City to Los Angeles

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Flight
3h 15min – 3h 20min
259 – 396 €
View
🚌 Departure from New York City
📍Most travellers depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), though Newark and LaGuardia also serve Los Angeles. Your airline and terminal are printed on your e-ticket, so check them before leaving, as terminals at JFK are spread out.
🚇From Manhattan you can reach JFK by subway and AirTrain, by the Long Island Rail Road with an AirTrain connection, or by taxi and rideshare. Newark is reachable by train from Penn Station, and LaGuardia by taxi, rideshare or bus.
⏰Flights run throughout the day, with departures from early morning to the evening. Frequency is high on this busy route, so you can usually pick a time that suits you. Check the page for exact times.
💸 Transport from 259€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 3h 15min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Alaska Airlines Flight Newark Airport €259 3
Frontier Airlines Flight Newark Airport €332 4
JetBlue Flight John F Kennedy Airport €356 25
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Practical tips

💡
Choose the plane, not the bus

Across the whole country, a bus or train chain means days on the road and several changes. Unless you want to see the landscape, book a flight and keep your time for exploring Los Angeles.

💡
Check which New York airport

New York has JFK, Newark and LaGuardia. Look at the airport code on your booking and plan your route to that exact airport, since Newark is in New Jersey and not in the city.

💡
Confirm your terminal

Both JFK and LAX have several terminals, and they can be far apart. Your e-ticket or airline app shows the right one, so check it the day before to avoid a stressful dash.

💡
Book early for better fares

Fares tend to rise as the date approaches, especially around holidays and summer. Book as early as your plans allow, and compare departure days, since midweek flights are often cheaper.

💡
Plan your arrival in LA

Los Angeles is spread out and LAX is not in the centre. Decide in advance how you will reach your accommodation, whether by shuttle, rideshare or public transport, especially if you land late in the evening.

The journey experience

New York to Los Angeles is about as far as you can go in the continental United States, and that changes how you should think about the trip. If you are weighing bus, train and plane side by side, here the answer is simple: the plane is the only sensible choice for most independent travellers. The page's comparison table shows current durations and price ranges at a glance, so you can confirm it in seconds.

Flying means a nonstop service between the New York airports (JFK, Newark and LaGuardia) and Los Angeles International (LAX). Several major US carriers operate this corridor, so you will find a good choice of departure times, from early morning to late evening. Seats are comfortable on these long-haul domestic aircraft, and you can usually add a checked bag for a modest extra fee. A long-distance bus or a chain of trains would mean days of travel, several changes and a real risk of missing a connection.

Your main task is to avoid mixing up airports. New York has three, and the one you pick should match your booking and your accommodation. At the other end, LAX is a large airport with separate terminals, so check your terminal on your e-ticket before you leave. Book ahead for a better fare, arrive early for security, and plan how you will reach downtown Los Angeles. You will have the whole route clear before you set off.

Frequently asked questions — New York City → Los Angeles

Why visit Los Angeles?

  • ✓ Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take in the view of the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory
  • ✓ Spend a sunset on Santa Monica Pier and cycle the beachfront path to Venice Beach
  • ✓ Tour a film studio at Universal Studios Hollywood or Warner Bros. Studio
  • ✓ Explore the Getty Center for world-class art, gardens and panoramic city views
  • ✓ Browse the Grand Central Market and the street art of the Arts District in Downtown LA
🌙
Recommended stay
3 to 5 nights — distances are large, so you need time for several districts and traffic

When to visit Los Angeles?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

March to May and September to November — warm sunny days, mild evenings and fewer crowds than in summer

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😊
Apr 😊
May 😐
Jun 😐
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😊
Dec 😐
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In Los Angeles — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Los Angeles
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Los Angeles?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🎬
Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Theatre
Stroll Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars and the celebrity handprints outside the TCL Chinese Theatre. Free to walk. Go early morning, before 9am, to avoid crowds and street performers. Take the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland rather than driving, as parking is costly (around 15€).
🌅
Griffith Observatory at Sunset
Free entry to this 1935 landmark with views of the Hollywood Sign and the city skyline. Closed Mondays. Parking is limited and fills fast, so take the DASH Observatory shuttle from Vermont/Sunset Metro station (about 0,50€). Arrive one hour before sunset for the best light.
🌊
Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
Walk or cycle the 4 km beach path between Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk, passing Muscle Beach and the skate park. Bike rentals start around 8€ per hour. Weekday mornings are calmer. Take the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica to skip the expensive beachfront parking.
🎨
The Getty Center Art and Gardens
This hilltop museum offers free admission, with European paintings, architecture by Richard Meier and a lovely Central Garden. Parking costs around 20€. Book a timed entry online in advance. Visit after 3pm for fewer visitors and golden light over the city. Closed Mondays.
🌮
Grand Central Market Food Tour
Open since 1917 in Downtown LA, this market hosts about 40 stalls: tacos, pupusas, ramen, Egg Slut sandwiches. Budget 10-15€ for a filling meal. Go at weekday lunch before noon to avoid queues. Combine with the nearby Bradbury Building and Angels Flight railway.
🏛️
Walt Disney Concert Hall and Broad
Frank Gehry's steel-clad concert hall is free to admire outside, with free self-guided audio tours inside on select days. Next door, The Broad contemporary art museum has free general admission, but reserve online or queue early. Tuesday to Sunday only.
⛰️
Hike Runyon Canyon or Griffith Trails
Runyon Canyon offers a free 5 km loop with views of the city and, on clear days, the ocean. For fewer people, take the Griffith Park trail to Mount Hollywood summit (about 5 km round trip). Bring water and start before 8am, since summer heat is strong and shade is scarce.
🌴
Abbot Kinney and Venice Canals
Away from the boardwalk crowds, the Venice Canals form a quiet residential network of footbridges and gardens, built in 1905 and inspired by Italy. Free to walk, about 30 minutes. Then browse Abbot Kinney Boulevard's independent shops and cafés. Go on weekday mornings for tranquility.

How long to visit Los Angeles?

3 to 5 days

Plan 4 to 5 days to cover the essentials: Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice, Griffith Observatory, Getty Center and a studio tour. With 3 days, stick to two or three areas to limit time lost in traffic. Rent a car or budget for rideshares, as distances are huge, and avoid driving between 4 and 7 pm.

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