Punta Cana's airport is the busiest in the Caribbean for a reason: it's close to everyone who wants a beach.
Flight times to Punta Cana (PUJ)#
| From | Nonstop time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | ~2h | Many daily |
| Fort Lauderdale, Orlando | ~2h–2h30 | Daily |
| Atlanta, Charlotte | ~3h30 | Daily |
| New York (JFK, Newark) | ~3h45 | Many daily |
| Boston, Philadelphia, Washington | ~4h | Daily |
| Chicago | ~4h30 | Daily, more in winter |
| Toronto | ~4h30 | Daily, more in winter |
| Montreal | ~5h | Daily in winter |
| Dallas, Houston | ~4h–4h30 | Several weekly |
| Denver | ~5h30 | Seasonal |
| Los Angeles | ~6h flying | Mostly connecting; 9–12h door to door |
| Calgary, Vancouver | ~7–8h flying | Seasonal nonstops; otherwise connect |
| London (Gatwick), Manchester | ~9h | Leisure carriers, several weekly |
| Madrid | ~8h30 | Daily |
| Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam | ~9–10h | Several weekly |
Times are typical block times and vary with winds and season; the return eastbound is usually shorter.
Time zone#
Punta Cana is on Atlantic Standard Time all year and doesn't change clocks: one hour ahead of US Eastern in winter, the same as Eastern in summer, four hours behind the UK in winter and five in summer.
Landing#
PUJ is open-air, thatched and quick. The e-ticket is filled in online before you fly (how); do you need a passport? (yes). Then the ten minutes that matter: the airport transfer guide explains the taxi stand, the transfers and the desks that are really timeshare sales.
Cheaper flights#
Cheap flights from the USA to the Caribbean, from NYC, from Miami. Tuesday and Wednesday departures, and the shoulder months (November, May), are the levers.
Arrive with a plan#
Before you board, post your dates on Roavi Community: travellers landing the same days appear together, and Local Friends who live in Bávaro and Verón reply. Land with a name and a plan for one evening off the resort (why); a Local Friend is the easiest way. First time in Punta Cana has the rest.
Flying to Punta Cana? Post your dates and land knowing someone.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from New York to Punta Cana?
About three hours forty-five minutes nonstop from JFK or Newark. Boston is about four hours, Philadelphia and Washington about four.How long is the flight from Chicago or Toronto to Punta Cana?
About four and a half hours nonstop from either. Montreal is around five. Calgary and Vancouver are seven to eight hours in the air, nonstop on seasonal winter routes, otherwise with a connection.How long is the flight from the UK to Punta Cana?
About nine hours nonstop from London Gatwick or Manchester, on the leisure carriers, with the return a little shorter. Most UK flights are seasonal or several times a week; check days.How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Punta Cana?
Around six hours of flying, but nonstops are rare, so most itineraries connect through Miami, Charlotte, Dallas or New York and take nine to twelve hours door to door.
