Compare: Amsterdam→Brussels (173 km) vs Amsterdam→Copenhagen (621 km). Amsterdam → Brussels wins by 448 km (72%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
173 km
107 miles · Flight: ~43 min · Drive: ~2h 49min
✓ Shorter route
621 km
386 miles · Flight: ~1h 17min · Drive: ~10h 5min
Difference: 448 km (72%) · Flight time difference: ~34 min
Verdict
Amsterdam → Brussels is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 448 km (72%) shorter, saves about 34 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 114 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Amsterdam → Copenhagen only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Amsterdam → Brussels is the shorter route at 173 km, which is 448 km (72%) shorter than Amsterdam → Copenhagen. You would save approximately 34 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Amsterdam → Brussels | Amsterdam → Copenhagen |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 173 | 621 |
| Distance (miles) | 107 | 386 |
| Flight time | ~43 min | ~1h 17min |
| Driving time | ~2h 49min | ~10h 5min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~225 km | ~807 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 193° (SSW) | 51° (NE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | +1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~44 kg | ~158 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~38 kg | ~138 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$23 USD | ~$81 USD |
Flying from Amsterdam to Brussels produces roughly 44 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Amsterdam → Copenhagen flight emits about 158 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 114 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 5 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 38 kg and 138 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Amsterdam to Brussels route covers 173 km (107 miles), staying within Europe. Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is located in North Holland, Netherlands, while Brussels (population: 1,209,000) is in Brussels-Capital, Belgium.
The Amsterdam to Copenhagen route covers 621 km (386 miles), remaining within Europe. Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is in North Holland, Netherlands, and Copenhagen (population: 794,128) is in Capital Region, Denmark.
Flying from Amsterdam to Brussels takes approximately 43 min, while Amsterdam to Copenhagen takes 1h 17min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 2h 49min for the first route and 10h 5min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Amsterdam, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Brussels and Copenhagen as a destination.
The 448 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 225 km and 807 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 582 km of driving.
Brussels (Belgium) has a population of 1,209,000 and is located in the Brussels-Capital region of Europe. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
Copenhagen (Denmark) has a population of 794,128 and is situated in Capital Region, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Brussels (Belgium) — a city of 1,209,000 in the Brussels-Capital region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 173 km, which translates to a 34 min flight-time saving and roughly 114 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 225 km of road and a fuel cost band around $23 USD. The initial bearing is 193° (SSW), so a great-circle flight leaves Amsterdam heading roughly SSW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Copenhagen (Denmark) — a city of 794,128 in the Capital Region region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 621 km, it remains the obvious pick when Copenhagen is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Amsterdam are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 807 km of road and a fuel cost in the $81 USD range. Departing Amsterdam, the great-circle bearing toward Copenhagen is 51° (NE).
Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) and Brussels (50.85°, 4.35°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) and Copenhagen (55.68°, 12.57°) have a +1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Brussels is closer at 173 km, which is 448 km (72%) shorter.
173 km (107 miles). Flight: ~43 min.
621 km (386 miles). Flight: ~1h 17min.
Flying to Brussels is faster at ~43 min, saving about 34 min compared to Copenhagen.
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.