Jet Lag Calculator: London to New York City
Jet lag severity and time zone information for London → New York City.
Jet lag from London to New York City
Flying from London (GMT+1, UTC+1) to New York City (EDT, UTC-4) crosses 5 time zones, travelling west. Based on this shift, expect severe jet lag with roughly 5 days needed to fully reset your body clock to local time in New York City.
Direction matters almost as much as the number of hours. Travelling west, as on this route, means staying up later and waking later, which the body generally tolerates better than shifting earlier — so recovery tends to track closer to the raw hour difference. The return trip from New York City to London goes the opposite direction and can feel noticeably different even though the hour gap is identical.
To plan around it, check the exact time zone difference between London and New York City before you book calls or activities, and see the flight time for London to New York City to work out your best arrival window. Landing in the early evening local time and staying awake until a normal bedtime is one of the simplest ways to speed up adjustment on this route.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How bad is jet lag from London to New York City?
Travelling from London (GMT+1) to New York City (EDT) involves a 5-hour time difference going west. Expect severe jet lag with approximately 5 day(s) to fully adjust.
How many hours is the time difference between London and New York City?
London is in GMT+1 (UTC+1) and New York City is in EDT (UTC-4). The difference is 5 hours.
How long does it take to recover from jet lag from London to New York City?
Most travellers need about 5 days to fully adjust to local time after flying from London to New York City, based on a 5-hour shift travelling west. Light sleepers and older travellers may need a little longer.
Is jet lag worse flying east or west from London to New York City?
On this route you are travelling westward, which is generally the easier direction to adjust to — the body clock finds it easier to stay up later (as when flying west) than to fall asleep earlier (as when flying east). Flying east on the return leg from New York City to London may feel comparatively tougher.
What time zones are London and New York City in?
London uses GMT+1 (UTC+1) and New York City uses EDT (UTC-4).
How do I beat jet lag from London to New York City?
Start adjusting sleep 3+ days before departure Get a prescription sleep aid from your doctor Light therapy can help — seek morning light when travelling east Avoid heavy meals on arrival day
Tips to Beat Jet Lag
- →Start adjusting sleep 3+ days before departure
- →Get a prescription sleep aid from your doctor
- →Light therapy can help — seek morning light when travelling east
- →Avoid heavy meals on arrival day