Compare: Amsterdam→Berlin (576 km) vs Amsterdam→Hamburg (365 km). Amsterdam → Hamburg wins by 211 km (37%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
576 km
358 miles · Flight: ~1h 13min · Drive: ~9h 22min
365 km
227 miles · Flight: ~57 min · Drive: ~5h 56min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 211 km (37%) · Flight time difference: ~16 min
Verdict
Amsterdam → Hamburg is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 211 km (37%) shorter, saves about 16 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 54 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Amsterdam → Berlin only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Amsterdam → Hamburg is the shorter route at 365 km, which is 211 km (37%) shorter than Amsterdam → Berlin. You would save approximately 16 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Amsterdam → Berlin | Amsterdam → Hamburg |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 576 | 365 |
| Distance (miles) | 358 | 227 |
| Flight time | ~1h 13min | ~57 min |
| Driving time | ~9h 22min | ~5h 56min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~749 km | ~475 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 85° (E) | 67° (ENE) |
| Time-zone shift | +1h | +1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~147 kg | ~93 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~128 kg | ~81 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$75 USD | ~$48 USD |
Flying from Amsterdam to Berlin produces roughly 147 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Amsterdam → Hamburg flight emits about 93 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 54 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 3 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 128 kg and 81 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Amsterdam to Berlin route covers 576 km (358 miles), staying within Europe. Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is located in North Holland, Netherlands, while Berlin (population: 3,644,826) is in Brandenburg, Germany.
The Amsterdam to Hamburg route covers 365 km (227 miles), remaining within Europe. Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is in North Holland, Netherlands, and Hamburg (population: 1,841,179) is in Hamburg, Germany.
Flying from Amsterdam to Berlin takes approximately 1h 13min, while Amsterdam to Hamburg takes 57 min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 9h 22min for the first route and 5h 56min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Amsterdam, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Berlin and Hamburg as a destination.
The 211 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 749 km and 475 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 274 km of driving.
Berlin (Germany) has a population of 3,644,826 and is located in the Brandenburg region of Europe. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
Hamburg (Germany) has a population of 1,841,179 and is situated in Hamburg, Europe. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Berlin (Germany) — a city of 3,644,826 in the Brandenburg region of Europe. Despite being the longer of the two at 576 km, it makes sense when Berlin itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 749 km of road and a fuel cost band around $75 USD. The initial bearing is 85° (E), so a great-circle flight leaves Amsterdam heading roughly E.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Hamburg (Germany) — a city of 1,841,179 in the Hamburg region of Europe. It is also the shorter of the two at 365 km, saving about 16 min of flying and around 54 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 475 km of road and a fuel cost in the $48 USD range. Departing Amsterdam, the great-circle bearing toward Hamburg is 67° (ENE).
Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) and Berlin (52.52°, 13.40°) sit with a time-zone shift of +1 hour. Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) and Hamburg (53.55°, 9.99°) have a +1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Hamburg is closer at 365 km, which is 211 km (37%) shorter.
576 km (358 miles). Flight: ~1h 13min.
365 km (227 miles). Flight: ~57 min.
Flying to Hamburg is faster at ~57 min, saving about 16 min compared to Berlin.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.