5 Fastest Ways for New Yorkers to Get Out of the Country

Depending on the destination, international travel can mean a full day and sometimes night in the cramped confines of an airplane seat. But New York’s coastal setting means that you can depart after breakfast and set foot in another country in time for lunch.

Book a trip from New York to one of these five international destinations (plus Puerto Rico), each under six hours away by nonstop flight -- that’s less than the time it’d take you to drive to Buffalo.

Montreal, Canada

Time from NYC: 1 hour, 20 minutes

What to do there: Montreal is renowned for its lively, French-influenced culture. Outdoor pursuits are plentiful, including music festivals, kayaking and biking. For another Canadian destination, just 10 minutes longer gets you to Toronto. Find hotel deals in Ontario and Quebec.

Bermuda

Time from NYC: 2 hours 20 minutes

What to do there: Bermuda is all about the beaches–particularly its famous pink sand stretches. Go golfing, dive down to a shipwreck, or just lounge on an oversized towel at a luxe beach resort.

Nassau, Bahamas

Time from NYC: 3 hours

What to do there: Besides the usual island activities of snorkeling, scuba diving and sun tanning, Nassau boasts a historic downtown with a fort and marketplace. Try the cracked conch, a dish of deep-fried sea mollusk, and wash it down with a strong daiquiri. Once you’re there, take advantage of Bahamas hotel deals. Or take the ferry for a day trip at Atlantis, Paradise Island. This exclusive resort, casino and water park is set on its own island a short cab or ferry ride from Nassau.

Kingston, Jamaica

Time from NYC: 3 hours 50 minutes

What to do there: Jamaica is a perennial getaway destination thanks to its white-sand beaches, lively nightlife and sprawling craft markets. The lush wildlife offers unique opportunities such as climbing Dunn’s River Falls and zip-lining about the rain forest on a canopy tour. To get the best deal, bundle air and accommodations with an all-inclusive vacation package.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Time from NYC: 3 hours 55 minutes

What to do there: Stroll historic Old Town San Juan’s blue cobblestone streets and tour the 16th-century fort of this once walled city. Try the local cuisine, which borrows Caribbean, Spanish and indigenous influences. Puerto Rico also has its fair share of beaches and water activities. It’s also the most affordable international destination from New York.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Time from NYC: 5 hours 50 minutes

What to do there: Iceland astounds visitors with its geological wonders like glaciers and geysers. A trip here isn’t complete without a visit to geothermally heated waters of the Blue Lagoon. Also warming up travelers: the reception they get from locals, recently named the world’s friendliest by the World Economic Forum. Base your stay in the capital city of Reykjavik.