New York to Cartagena is one of the easiest Caribbean-coast escapes from the East Coast: JetBlue and Avianca both fly nonstop from JFK in about 5½ hours, and one-stop fares through Bogotá or Panama can dip even lower. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in dollars, and when to book for the best price.
Route: New York (JFK / EWR) → Cartagena, Rafael Núñez (CTG)
Distance: approximately 3,360 km (2,090 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 5h 20m southbound
Direct flights: Yes — JetBlue flies nonstop from JFK with roughly daily service, at $473 and up. But the connection is the cheap way here, and not through the hubs usually named: Arajet via Santo Domingo out of Newark was behind more than two-thirds of the cheapest fares at $371–$451, roughly $100 under the cheapest non-stop and about $240 under the typical one.
Fares from New York to Cartagena (USD)
Cartagena’s dry high season runs December to March, peaking around Christmas, New Year and the mid-winter school breaks, when nonstops fill up and fares climb. The wetter, quieter months (September to early November) are the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in dollars — the lowest usually come from a sale on the nonstops or a one-stop routing through Bogotá.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | high |
| March | — | medium-high |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | low-medium |
| June | — | medium (summer) |
| July | — | medium |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | low |
| November | — | low-medium |
| December | — | very high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the floor is $371 and the overall median $410, so a return under about $390 is a genuinely good one and there is nothing in the two hundreds to wait for. The route splits cleanly in two: connections at $371–$451 (median $373) and JetBlue’s non-stop at $473–$731 (median $613). Newark departures do price lower than JFK when a one-stop routing is on sale — in fact every one of the cheapest fares we found left Newark.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 5½ hours):
- JetBlue — nonstop JFK → Cartagena, roughly daily; generous free carry-on and reliable service.
- Avianca — nonstop from JFK, roughly daily; Colombia’s flag carrier with good onward connections if you continue in-country.
One-stop (sometimes cheaper, about 8–12 hours total):
- Avianca via Bogotá — frequent connections, often the lowest fare when the nonstops are full.
- Copa Airlines via Panama City — reliable connections and competitive pricing from both JFK and EWR.
- American Airlines via Miami — broad schedule, useful for Newark or LaGuardia flexibility.
Because the nonstops are relatively short, they are usually the best combination of price and time. A one-stop through Bogotá or Panama mostly makes sense when the nonstops are sold out or a sale makes the connection notably cheaper.
When to book & how to save
- Book 1–3 months ahead for the best fares; the nonstops fill up fast over the December–March dry season and holidays.
- Avoid Christmas, New Year and Easter — these are the busiest and most expensive weeks by a wide margin.
- Travel in September or October for the lowest fares; it’s the green season, so pack for short afternoon showers rather than all-day rain.
- Check the bag rules: JetBlue’s cheapest Blue Basic fares limit checked bags, and Avianca’s lightest fares are carry-on only — compare the all-in price with a bag added.
- Compare JFK, Newark and LaGuardia — JFK has the nonstops, but a one-stop out of Newark or LaGuardia occasionally prices lower.
Arriving in Cartagena
All flights land at Rafael Núñez International (CTG), unusually close to the city — just about 3 km from the historic walled centre. A metered or authorized airport taxi to the Old City or Bocagrande takes only 10–15 minutes and costs roughly $5–$12; agree or confirm the fare at the official taxi desk before you leave. Ride-hail apps also operate. Colombia uses the peso, so carry a little local cash or a card for the ride.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from New York to Cartagena?
The nonstop from JFK takes about 5 hours 20 minutes southbound, and a little longer on the return. One-stop itineraries through Bogotá, Panama City or Miami typically take 8 to 12 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from New York to Cartagena?
Yes. JetBlue flies nonstop from JFK with roughly daily service, at $473–$731; Avianca also sells the route but appeared only on connections when we checked. If you’d rather save, the connection to look at is not Bogotá, Panama City or Miami but Arajet from Newark via Santo Domingo at $371–$451 — consistently, not occasionally, cheaper than the non-stop.
How much does it cost to fly from New York to Cartagena?
A typical economy return runs about $371–$451 on a connection and $473–$731 non-stop, with an overall median of $410. The best deals start at $371 in the green season or during a sale. We could not price December, so treat the holiday weeks as dearer than anything here; the highest fare in our sample was $731.
What is the cheapest month to fly from New York to Cartagena?
September was the cheapest month we could price, with returns from $371; the October dates we saw were all non-stops from $722, so shop the connections for that month. Avoid December through March (the dry high season) and the Christmas and Easter holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from New York to Cartagena?
Nonstop: JetBlue from JFK carried every non-stop fare we found, $473–$731. One-stop, cheapest first: Arajet from Newark via Santo Domingo ($371–$451 — more than two-thirds of the cheapest fares on the route) and Avianca from JFK ($410). Copa Airlines via Panama City and American Airlines via Miami also sell the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. The non-stop is the fastest option, not the cheapest — you pay about $100 over the lowest connection for it.
Which airport do I fly into in Cartagena?
You arrive at Rafael Núñez International (CTG), Cartagena’s only airport, remarkably close to town — about 3 km from the walled Old City, so transfers are quick and cheap.
How far in advance should I book New York to Cartagena flights?
Aim to book 1 to 3 months ahead. The nonstops sell out over the December–March dry season and around the holidays, and fares climb as they fill, so booking early on those dates almost always saves money.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be a little cheaper than the Friday–Sunday rush, and pairing weekday outbound and return flights can save $40–$100 on a fare to Cartagena.
Do I need a checked bag, and is it included?
Not always. JetBlue’s cheapest Blue Basic fares and Avianca’s lightest fares are carry-on only, with checked bags costing extra. If you’re bringing luggage, add a bag when comparing fares so you’re looking at the true all-in price.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
