Book Flights to Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City — on New Jersey's barrier island coast — is the East Coast's premier casino resort destination: a 7-km Boardwalk (the first in the United States, built 1870), nine major casinos, Steel Pier amusements over the Atlantic, and a wide sandy beach free for all. Beyond the casino action, Atlantic City is surrounded by some of the finest destinations on the Jersey Shore — Cape May's Victorian architecture 1 hour south, Ocean City's family beach town, and the mysterious New Jersey Pinelands UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) is served by Spirit (primary, Florida routes), American, and Frontier. Philadelphia PHL (90 km north) is a larger alternative. FareOptic compares all routes to find the cheapest Atlantic City airfare.
Cheap Flight Deals to Atlantic City
*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
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Why Visit Atlantic City, New Jersey?
America's first boardwalk, nine casinos, Steel Pier, and easy access to Cape May's Victorian charm and Ocean City's family beaches — Atlantic City delivers classic East Coast resort entertainment with century-old character.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
America's First Boardwalk — Since 1870The Atlantic City Boardwalk — the first boardwalk ever built in the United States (1870) — runs 7 km along the Atlantic City beachfront and is one of America's most iconic commercial strips: casino towers, saltwater taffy shops, arcades, restaurants, and the Steel Pier amusement park rising from the Boardwalk since 1898. The Boardwalk is the organizing spine of Atlantic City's entertainment district, with the major casinos (Borgata, Caesars, Hard Rock, Bally's, Resorts, Golden Nugget) all accessible from or near the Boardwalk.
Best Time
Walk the Boardwalk at dusk on a summer evening — the casino neon lights, the Steel Pier Ferris wheel, and the crashing Atlantic surf create a uniquely American spectacle that has remained essentially unchanged in character for 150 years
Casino Gaming and Entertainment
East Coast's Casino CapitalAtlantic City has nine operating casinos — including Borgata (the highest-rated, with MGM partnership and world-class restaurants), Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (in the former Trump Taj Mahal building), Caesars Atlantic City (one of the original AC casino palaces), and the Golden Nugget — making AC the largest gaming market on the East Coast after Las Vegas. Beyond slots and table games, AC casinos host nationally touring headliners, boxing and UFC events, and major poker tournaments.
Best Casino
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is consistently rated the finest Atlantic City casino — best restaurants (including restaurants from celebrity chefs), highest-quality hotel rooms, and most sophisticated casino floor. Resorts Casino (AC's original casino, opened 1978) has the most history and nostalgia
Cape May
America's Oldest Seaside Resort — 1 Hour SouthCape May — at the southern tip of the New Jersey Cape — is one of America's most perfectly preserved Victorian resort towns: 600+ Victorian-era buildings, pristine beaches, a thriving restaurant scene, and the most significant birding stopover on the Eastern Flyway. The Cape May birding festival (May) and hawk watch (October) attract birders from across the world. Cape May Point State Park hosts one of the Eastern US's finest lighthouses (1859) and hawk counting station.
Victorian Architecture
Walking the Emlen Physick Estate and Cape May's Congress Street historic district (both National Historic Landmarks) provides the finest concentration of intact Victorian residential architecture accessible in the US — more complete and pedestrian-friendly than Newport or Savannah
Ocean City New Jersey
Family Beach Town — No Casinos, No AlcoholOcean City NJ — 16 km south of Atlantic City — is one of the East Coast's most beloved family beach destinations: a dry town (no alcohol sales, no casinos) with an excellent boardwalk, old-fashioned amusements, Kohr Brothers frozen custard, and clean, uncrowded beaches. Ocean City contrasts completely with Atlantic City's adult entertainment focus and is the preferred destination for families visiting the New Jersey Shore.
Perfect Day Trip
Ocean City's Music Pier (free summer concerts on the bay), morning beach walks before crowds arrive, and the boardwalk's Water Works mini-waterpark create a classic American shore town experience completely unlike the casino strip 16 km north
Atlantic City Beach and Steel Pier
Classic American Beach ResortThe Atlantic City beach — one of the widest and best maintained on the New Jersey Shore — runs the full length of the Boardwalk and is free for public access. The beach hosts concerts, beach volleyball tournaments, and summer events. Steel Pier (rebuilt 1993 on the original 1898 footprint) operates as an amusement park over the ocean — Ferris wheel, rides, and games extending directly over the Atlantic from the Boardwalk.
Summer Season
Atlantic City's beach scene peaks July 4th weekend (massive fireworks over the ocean from Steel Pier) and Labor Day weekend. The weeks between major holiday weekends are less crowded, still warm, and accommodation prices drop 30–40%
New Jersey Wine and Farm Country
Pinelands and Wine Trail — 30 Minutes InlandThe New Jersey Pinelands — 30 km west of Atlantic City — is one of the most ecologically unique landscapes in the Northeast: a 1.1-million-acre UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of pine barrens, cedar swamps, and cranberry bogs that completely surrounds Atlantic City's casino towers. The NJ wine trail (Renault Winery, Cape May Winery, and others) and blueberry/cranberry farms add agricultural tourism to the Pinelands experience.
Local Discovery
Batsto Village (30 km northwest) — a perfectly preserved 19th-century iron furnace and glassblowing village inside the Pinelands — is one of New Jersey's finest historic sites and completely unknown to most Atlantic City visitors
How to Find Cheap Flights to Atlantic City
Spirit and Frontier Have Lowest Base Fares — Calculate All-In Price
Spirit and Frontier operate the cheapest base fares at ACY, especially to Florida cities. But carry-on bags ($35–89), checked bags ($35–55), and seat selection fees can add $100+ per person round-trip. Always compare the all-in total (base fare + all fees) against American's bundled fares on FareOptic before booking.
Philadelphia PHL Is 90 km North — Often Has More Options
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is only 90 km north of Atlantic City — about 75 minutes by car or NJ Transit bus. PHL has far more airline options (American hub, Southwest, United, Delta, Spirit, Frontier) with more direct routes. Compare flying into PHL vs. ACY total cost, including ground transport to Atlantic City.
Midweek Casino Visits Are 40–60% Cheaper Than Weekends
Atlantic City casino hotels typically charge premium rates Friday–Sunday (casino high-volume nights) and significantly lower rates Monday–Thursday. If your AC visit is primarily gaming or beach (not a specific weekend event), a Tuesday–Thursday visit saves substantially on accommodation with the same casino access.
Off-Season (October–April) for Best Value and Fewer Crowds
Atlantic City's casino action operates year-round, but the beach and Boardwalk scene is seasonal (May–September peak). October–April offers the lowest hotel rates, fewer tourists, and comfortable weather for Boardwalk walks and casino visits. Cape May birding peaks in May and October — ideal shoulder-season combos.
Airlines Serving Atlantic City (ACY)
Spirit Airlines
Largest Carrier at ACY — Ultra-Low Base FaresSpirit Airlines has the largest presence at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) and offers the lowest base fares, primarily connecting ACY to Florida cities (Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Myrtle Beach). Spirit's ultra-low base fares are attractive, but carry-on bags ($35–89), checked bags ($35–55), and seat fees add to the total cost — always calculate the all-in price on FareOptic before booking.
Key Routes
Atlantic City ACY to Orlando MCO; ACY to Fort Lauderdale FLL; ACY to Tampa TPA; ACY to Myrtle Beach MYR; ACY to Detroit DTW (seasonal)
American Airlines
Charlotte and Philadelphia Hub ConnectionsAmerican Airlines connects Atlantic City through Charlotte (CLT) and Philadelphia (PHL) — providing access to American's full network. PHL is only 90 km north of Atlantic City — for most destinations, American via PHL provides faster connections than flying ACY direct.
Key Routes
Atlantic City ACY to Charlotte CLT (American Eagle); ACY to Philadelphia PHL; ACY to Dallas DFW; ACY to Chicago ORD via CLT connections
Frontier Airlines
Ultra-Low Fares — Check Bag FeesFrontier Airlines operates seasonal service to Atlantic City from Atlanta (ATL) and other cities, with ultra-low base fares similar to Spirit. Frontier's bag fees and seat fees mirror Spirit's — calculate total cost including all add-ons before booking.
Key Routes
Atlantic City ACY to Atlanta ATL (seasonal); ACY to Myrtle Beach MYR; ACY to other Frontier network cities seasonally
Things to Do in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Essential Info for Your Atlantic City Trip
State
New Jersey (NJ) — Atlantic County, Jersey Shore
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
EST (UTC-5) / EDT (UTC-4) in summer
Airport Code
ACY — Atlantic City International Airport (20 km west of Boardwalk)
Nearby Airport
Philadelphia PHL — 90 km north (more airline options)
Day Trips
Cape May (1 hr south), Ocean City NJ (16 km south), Philadelphia (90 km north)
Casino Shuttle
Most casino hotels offer free shuttle from ACY — confirm with hotel
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Atlantic City
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Atlantic City, New Jersey
What airport serves Atlantic City, New Jersey?
Atlantic City International Airport (IATA: ACY), officially the South Jersey Regional Airport in Egg Harbor Township, serves Atlantic City — located 20 km west of the Boardwalk. Spirit, American, and Frontier are the primary carriers. Philadelphia International (PHL, 90 km north) has far more airline options and is an alternative worth comparing.
Is ACY or PHL better for getting to Atlantic City?
For budget travelers, ACY's Spirit/Frontier base fares can be the cheapest option to New Jersey. But PHL (90 km north) has more airlines, more direct routes, and often comparable all-in prices after bag fees. A NJ Transit bus from Philadelphia to Atlantic City runs $30 round-trip and takes 80–90 minutes.
What casinos are in Atlantic City?
Atlantic City has nine operating casinos: Borgata (MGM partnership, highest-rated), Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (former Trump Taj Mahal), Caesars Atlantic City, Bally's Atlantic City, Resorts Casino (first AC casino, 1978), Golden Nugget, Ocean Casino Resort, Harrah's Atlantic City, and Tropicana.
Is Atlantic City worth visiting if I don't gamble?
Yes — the Boardwalk beach (free), Steel Pier, excellent seafood restaurants, the nearby Cape May shore town (1 hour south), and Ocean City NJ (16 km south) make Atlantic City worth visiting independently of the casinos. The beach is one of the best on the Jersey Shore, and the historic Boardwalk is genuinely interesting.
How do I get from ACY airport to the Atlantic City Boardwalk?
The ACY airport is 20 km west of the Boardwalk. Uber/Lyft run $25–40 from ACY to the Boardwalk. Casino hotels operate free shuttle buses from ACY to their properties (check with your hotel in advance). Car rental is available at ACY.
What is the best season to visit Atlantic City?
June–August for beach season, full Boardwalk operation, and Steel Pier. July 4th weekend is the most festive (fireworks over the ocean). For casino visits without beach, October–April offers 40–60% lower hotel rates. May and October are excellent for combining Atlantic City with Cape May bird migration.
Is Cape May worth visiting from Atlantic City?
Absolutely — Cape May (1 hour south) is one of the most charming destinations on the East Coast: 600+ Victorian buildings, pristine beaches, excellent restaurants, and the most significant bird migration stopover on the Eastern Flyway. It's completely different from Atlantic City in character — quieter, historic, and family-oriented.
What is Lucy the Elephant?
Lucy the Elephant is a 6-story tin-and-wood elephant structure built in 1881 in Margate, NJ (10 km south of Atlantic City) — the oldest roadside attraction in the US and a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour the interior (multiple floors) and climb to the howdah (seat on the back) for Absecon Island coastal views.
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