Book Flights to Islip, New York
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Islip -- Long Island's most convenient airport for central and eastern Suffolk County -- offers a stress-free alternative to the crowded New York metro airports. With uncrowded terminals, fast check-in, and inexpensive parking, ISP serves as the gateway to Long Island's world-famous beaches, the Hamptons, Fire Island National Seashore, and the North Fork wine country.
Southwest Airlines dominates ISP with 20+ nonstop routes to Florida, the South, and major leisure destinations. FareOptic compares all available fares from ISP for the best Long Island airfare deals.
Cheap Flight Deals to Islip
*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 Long Island?
Fire Island, the Hamptons, Montauk, Bethpage Black Golf, North Fork wine trail, Stony Brook museums
Fire Island National Seashore
32-Mile Barrier Island -- Car-Free Beaches and Pristine WildernessFire Island National Seashore -- a 32-mile (51 km) barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, accessible only by ferry from Bay Shore, Sayville, or Patchogue -- is one of the most unusual national parks in the United States: a car-free island containing 17 distinctive communities (from the family-friendly Ocean Beach to the LGBTQ+ icons Cherry Grove and The Pines), the Sunken Forest (a 300-year-old maritime holly forest below sea level), and miles of pristine Atlantic beach.
Getting to Fire Island
Ferries run from Bay Shore (Fire Island Ferries) to Ocean Beach, Saltaire, Cherry Grove, and The Pines; from Sayville (Sayville Ferry) to Cherry Grove, The Pines, and Sailors Haven; and from Patchogue (Davis Park Ferry) to Watch Hill. Round-trip fares run $16-22 adults. No cars are permitted on most of Fire Island; the island is best explored on foot, bicycle, or the free park shuttle.
The Hamptons
East End Beaches, Wine Country, and Summer Social SceneThe Hamptons -- Southampton, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Amagansett, and Montauk -- stretch along Long Island's South Fork 80-130 km east of ISP. The area is famous for beautiful Atlantic beaches (Cooper's Beach in Southampton has been rated one of America's finest), the Hamptons art and gallery scene (Parrish Art Museum), the North Fork's 60+ wineries, and as America's most storied summer destination.
Montauk Point
Montauk Point State Park -- at the easternmost tip of Long Island, 145 km from Islip -- contains New York's oldest lighthouse (Montauk Point Light, 1797) and some of the finest surf fishing in the northeast. The Montauk Point area is excellent for hiking, beachcombing, whale watching (seasonal), and surfing at Ditch Plains Beach.
Stony Brook University and Museums
World-Class University Museums in the Heart of Long IslandStony Brook University -- 25 km east of ISP -- contains three excellent museums free to the public: the Charles B. Wang Center (Asian art and culture), the Stony Brook University Art Gallery, and the Staller Center for the Arts (performances). The nearby Ward Melville Heritage Organization preserves the Village Center in the historic Three Village area.
Museums at Stony Brook
The Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages in Stony Brook -- with a collection of 60,000+ objects including the finest collection of 19th-century American horse-drawn carriages in the world -- is open Wednesday-Sunday, $12 adults. The adjacent Stony Brook Village Center, designed in 1941 by Ward Melville, is a beautiful planned New England-style village worth strolling.
Caumsett State Historic Park
Marshall Field's Historic Estate -- 6 Miles of Undeveloped CoastlineCaumsett State Historic Park -- 1,520 acres on the Lloyd Neck peninsula of Huntington (40 km west of ISP) -- preserves the former Marshall Field III estate as one of the most intact historic landscapes in New York State. The park contains 6 miles of Long Island Sound coastline, historic farm buildings, a freshwater pond with waterfowl, and 25 miles of trails through old-growth forest and meadows.
Bird Watching
Caumsett is one of New York's premier birding locations: ospreys nest in the salt marshes, bald eagles are seen in winter, and the migratory season (April-May, September-October) brings warblers, shorebirds, and raptors. The park is accessible only by car (no public transit) and has no admission fee; parking fills quickly on summer weekends.
Bethpage Black Golf Course
America's Most Challenging Public Golf Course -- Home of US OpensBethpage State Park's Black Course -- designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1936 and rated by Golf Digest as the #1 public golf course in the United States -- has hosted three US Opens (2002, 2009, 2024) and the 2019 PGA Championship. The course is famously difficult (the first tee sign reads: 'WARNING: The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers'). Tee times require queuing overnight.
Booking a Tee Time
New York State residents receive priority access to Bethpage Black tee times via the New York State parks reservation system (nysparks.com). Non-residents can book 2 days in advance online. Overnight queuing in the parking lot is common for weekend morning times -- a Long Island tradition since the course opened. Green fees: $80-105 for New York residents, $165 for non-residents.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Islip
ISP Is Perfect for Central and Eastern Long Island Residents
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Ronkonkoma serves central and eastern Suffolk County (Smithtown, Hauppauge, Patchogue, Riverhead, and The Hamptons corridor) with free parking, 5-minute check-in lines, and no airport congestion. If you live in Nassau County or western Suffolk, JFK or LGA may be more convenient depending on traffic.
Southwest's Two Free Bags Make ISP Fares Even More Competitive
Since Southwest is ISP's only major carrier, always calculate the total cost including bags. Southwest allows two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs each) -- a $60-90 savings vs. Spirit, Frontier, or even American and United on comparable routes. For families traveling with luggage, ISP on Southwest frequently beats JFK on budget carriers on total cost.
Summer and Memorial Day Weekend -- Book Months Ahead
Long Island's summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) is the busiest travel period. ISP flights to Florida and the South fill up as residents depart; incoming leisure travelers also peak. Book summer flights 3-4 months ahead. Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are the tightest of the entire year.
ISP vs. JFK: When the Convenience Is Worth More Than the Choice
ISP has fewer destinations than JFK, but zero traffic, free short-term parking ($4/day long-term), and tiny check-in queues. Add up the JFK costs: $30-50/day parking (or $25+ each way car service), 60-90 minute drive from eastern Long Island in summer traffic, terminal waits -- and ISP on Southwest often wins even at the same base fare.
Airlines Serving Islip (ISP)
Southwest Airlines
Primary Carrier at ISP -- Long Island's Affordable Alternative to JFK and LGASouthwest Airlines is the dominant -- and effectively sole major scheduled -- carrier at Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), offering nonstop service to over 20 destinations including Orlando (MCO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Tampa (TPA), Nashville (BNA), Baltimore (BWI), Chicago Midway (MDW), Dallas Love Field (DAL), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), and Phoenix (PHX). Southwest's no-bag-fee model (two free checked bags) and free flight changes make ISP genuinely competitive with JFK and LGA for many Long Island travelers.
Key Routes
ISP to Orlando MCO (2h 45m); ISP to Fort Lauderdale FLL (2h 50m); ISP to Tampa TPA (2h 45m); ISP to Chicago Midway MDW (2h 30m); ISP to Nashville BNA (2h 20m); ISP to Las Vegas LAS (5h 15m); ISP to Denver DEN (4h 30m)
Avelo Airlines
Growing Low-Cost Option from Long IslandAvelo Airlines has added seasonal service from ISP to leisure destinations in the southern US and Florida, providing competition to Southwest and additional options for Long Island travelers. Avelo operates a streamlined Boeing 737 fleet with competitive base fares; check Avelo's website directly for current ISP routes.
Key Routes
ISP seasonal routes to Florida and southeastern US leisure destinations; check avelo.com for current ISP schedule and fares
NYC Metro Airports: JFK, LGA, EWR
Wider Choice -- But Factor in Time and Cost to Reach ManhattanLong Island residents often compare ISP against New York's three metro airports. JFK (75 km west via I-495) and LGA (85 km west) offer vastly more routes and airlines but require 60-90+ minute drives from eastern Long Island and parking costs of $30-50/day. ISP's free parking (first hours) and drive time of 5-20 minutes for central and eastern Suffolk County residents often makes it the better option despite fewer routes.
Key Routes
JFK (LIRR Jamaica + AirTrain, or I-495 drive); LGA (I-495/Grand Central Pkwy drive); EWR (I-495 to I-278 to NJ, or LIRR to Penn Station + NJ Transit); ISP has free/cheap parking and 30-second check-in lines
Things to Do on Long Island
Essential Info for Your Islip Trip
State
New York (NY)
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
EST (UTC-5) / EDT (UTC-4) in summer
Airport Code
ISP — Long Island MacArthur Airport, Ronkonkoma (72 km east of Manhattan)
Population
~335,000 Islip Town; ~1.5 million Suffolk County; ~7.7 million Long Island
Top Attractions
Fire Island, The Hamptons, Montauk, Bethpage Black, North Fork wine, Jones Beach
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Islip
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Islip, New York
What airport serves Islip, New York?
Long Island MacArthur Airport (IATA: ISP) in Ronkonkoma serves Islip Town and the central Suffolk County area, located about 72 km east of Manhattan. Southwest Airlines is the primary carrier. The airport is famously uncrowded -- check-in times of 5-15 minutes are typical, and parking is inexpensive ($4/day long-term). Suffolk County Transit buses connect ISP to the LIRR Ronkonkoma Station (1.5 km away).
Which is better for Long Island travel: ISP or JFK?
It depends on where you live and where you're flying. ISP is significantly more convenient for central and eastern Long Island residents: free flow traffic, no congestion, cheap parking, and instant check-in. JFK and LGA offer far more routes, airlines, and destinations -- essential for international travel or nonstop flights Southwest doesn't serve. For Southwest destinations, ISP often wins on total cost and convenience for Suffolk County residents.
What are the best beaches near Islip?
The South Shore of Long Island offers outstanding Atlantic Ocean beaches near Islip: Robert Moses State Park (free beach access, directly west of Fire Island ferry terminals), Gilgo Beach and Jones Beach State Park (further west, excellent surfing), and Fire Island National Seashore (ferry access from Bay Shore, Sayville, and Patchogue). All are within 20-40 minutes of ISP.
How far is ISP from the Hamptons?
ISP is approximately 65-110 km from the Hamptons depending on the destination: Westhampton Beach is 50 km (45 min via Sunrise Highway), Southampton is 85 km (1 hour), East Hampton is 100 km (1h 15m), and Montauk is 130 km (1h 45m). In summer traffic on summer weekends, add 30-60 minutes to all these times.
Is there public transit from ISP to New York City?
ISP is not directly served by the LIRR, but Suffolk County Transit buses connect the airport to the LIRR Ronkonkoma Station (1.5 km, about 5 minutes). From Ronkonkoma, the LIRR Main Line reaches Penn Station in Manhattan in approximately 75-90 minutes (express trains) to 100-120 minutes (local). Round-trip LIRR fare runs $40-60 from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station.
What is there to do in the Islip Town area?
Islip Town encompasses Great South Bay communities (Bay Shore, Sayville, Patchogue) with excellent dining, craft breweries, waterfront parks, and Fire Island ferry access. Dowling College campus (now closed) is a landmark. Heckscher State Park (7 km east of ISP) has 4,400 acres of beaches, ball fields, and nature trails. The downtown areas of Bay Shore, Sayville, and Patchogue have emerged as lively Main Street scenes with independent restaurants and bars.
When is the best time to visit Long Island?
June-August is peak season for beaches and outdoor activities -- warm (28-32°C), sunny, but crowded and expensive. September is the best month: warm water (still 22-24°C), thinner crowds, lower prices, and the Hamptons International Film Festival (October). October has spectacular fall foliage and the wine country harvest. Winter (December-March) is quiet but cold, best for travelers seeking uncrowded beaches and very low hotel rates.
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