Sometimes, it saves time to fly internationally rather than within the U.S.
More than 2,000 miles separate the East Coast and the West Coast in the U.S. From New York, it takes almost as much time to fly to London as it does to Los Angeles. In short, the country is a massive landmass no matter what the map illustrates, and sometimes, it saves time to fly internationally rather than within the U.S. So, give your passport a little workout this year and take off to other shores—these are some of the international destinations closest to the East Coast.
Montreal, Canada
Canada is the obvious first choice. From the cities in the Northeast, it’s an hour’s flight to Montreal, an hour and a half to Ottawa, and two to Toronto. Montreal is only 300 miles from Boston, a distance you can cover in your car in five hours; from Maine, Quebec City is three-and-a-half hours by road. You can even make it a perfect long weekend itinerary in Montreal if you want inspiration.
Cancun, Mexico
East Coast residents have an easy gateway to Mexico: Cancun. Fewer than five hours from New York and an hour-long flight from Florida, the city is famous for its beaches and cenotes. It’s not just a party destination, though spring breakers crowd the beaches every year. You can visit Mayan sites, go snorkeling, and visit an underwater museum—plus it has an amazing food scene.
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Porto, Portugal
You can arrive in Portugal’s second city in just 6 hours and 40 minutes from New York City. It’s actually an hour faster than the time it’ll take you to reach Alaska! Save these precious minutes and order a glass of port wine as you soak in the Baroque architecture in this coastal city.
Another Portugal recommendation that’s about the same distance is Lisbon. From Boston’s Logan International Airport, you can catch a six-and-a-half-hour direct flight to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport.
Dublin, Ireland
Aer Lingus has a direct, 6-hour-20-minute flight from JFK to Dublin Airport; United and Delta also have connections between the two cities. You’ll spend 15 minutes less in the air if you fly out of Boston, and there’s also a flight from Washington, D.C. The capital of Ireland has beautiful architecture, historic parks, trendy restaurants, and of course, exuberant pubs. Literary lovers will also have fun exploring the city where the greats such as Oscar Wilde and James Joyce once lived.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland is the land of ice and fire, and the capital of this hot-and-cold destination is just five hours away from Boston and around six hours from New York and Washington. In the wake of recent earthquakes and volcano eruptions, you should definitely follow local news before booking your flights, but consider planning a trip once things settle down if the Northern Lights are on your bucket list. It is expected that the show will be dazzling this year.
Saint Lucia
The Caribbean is even more accessible to East Coast cities than European destinations. From Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, you’ll spend less than five hours in the air to Saint Lucia; Miami is just three-and-a-half hours away. This one’s especially for couples who want an island getaway with beach time, jazz, and indulgent resorts. However, if you love to dive, sail, snorkel, or hike, you will find ample opportunities to stroke your adventurous side.
Nassau, Bahamas
It’s a hop, skip, and jump for East Coast residents to the Bahamas. Less than an hour from Miami and three hours from New York, Nassau is a beach lover’s dream and your introduction to the island country. From here, go on to explore more of these 700 islands—sail, snorkel, and party your way to this gorgeous destination. If you think you have experienced the Bahamas, try another view—from a cruise ship.
In the Caribbean, Aruba is another possible getaway for East Coasters—three hours from Miami and around five hours from New York.
Havana, Cuba
Cuban cigars, anyone? The U.S. Department of State warns against getting tobacco products into the U.S. from Cuba, but you can puff up in the city after a short, one-hour flight from Miami. That’s not it though. There are revving vintage cars, people whirling on jazz in clubs, and paladares plating Cuban specialties.
Bermuda
The pink beaches of Bermuda are just two hours from East Coast cities. However, its accessibility isn’t the only thing driving people to this destination in the North Atlantic Ocean. This tiny island has a network of caves, colonial buildings, and charming restaurants and cafes.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
It’s seven hours to Amsterdam from Boston, New York, and Washington, while slightly longer flights also run from Miami and Orlando. Similarly, the cities are also connected to London (seven to eight hours), but it’s not as close as the others for a quick trip away. You can still make it work for a long weekend if you plan it really well.