Compare: Amsterdam→London (358 km) vs Amsterdam→Paris (430 km). Amsterdam → London wins by 72 km (17%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026
358 km
222 miles · Flight: ~57 min · Drive: ~5h 49min
✓ Shorter route
430 km
267 miles · Flight: ~1h 2min · Drive: ~6h 59min
Difference: 72 km (17%) · Flight time difference: ~5 min
Verdict
Amsterdam → London is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 72 km (17%) shorter, saves about 5 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 19 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Amsterdam → Paris only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Amsterdam → London is the shorter route at 358 km, which is 72 km (17%) shorter than Amsterdam → Paris. You would save approximately 5 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Amsterdam → London | Amsterdam → Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 358 | 430 |
| Distance (miles) | 222 | 267 |
| Flight time | ~57 min | ~1h 2min |
| Driving time | ~5h 49min | ~6h 59min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~465 km | ~559 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 256° (WSW) | 206° (SSW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~91 kg | ~110 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~80 kg | ~96 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$47 USD | ~$56 USD |
Flying from Amsterdam to London produces roughly 91 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Amsterdam → Paris flight emits about 110 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 19 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 1 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 80 kg and 96 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Amsterdam to London route covers 358 km (222 miles), staying within Europe. Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is located in North Holland, Netherlands, while London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.
The Amsterdam to Paris route covers 430 km (267 miles), remaining within Europe. Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is in North Holland, Netherlands, and Paris (population: 2,161,000) is in Île-de-France, France.
Flying from Amsterdam to London takes approximately 57 min, while Amsterdam to Paris takes 1h 2min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 5h 49min for the first route and 6h 59min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Amsterdam, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between London and Paris as a destination.
The 72 km difference between these routes is noticeable in both travel time and fuel or ticket costs.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 465 km and 559 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 94 km of driving.
London (United Kingdom) has a population of 8,982,000 and is located in the England region of Europe. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Paris (France) has a population of 2,161,000 and is situated in Île-de-France, Europe. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching London (United Kingdom) — a city of 8,982,000 in the England region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 358 km, which translates to a 5 min flight-time saving and roughly 19 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 465 km of road and a fuel cost band around $47 USD. The initial bearing is 256° (WSW), so a great-circle flight leaves Amsterdam heading roughly WSW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Paris (France) — a city of 2,161,000 in the Île-de-France region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 430 km, it remains the obvious pick when Paris is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Amsterdam are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 559 km of road and a fuel cost in the $56 USD range. Departing Amsterdam, the great-circle bearing toward Paris is 206° (SSW).
Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) and Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
London is closer at 358 km, which is 72 km (17%) shorter.
358 km (222 miles). Flight: ~57 min.
430 km (267 miles). Flight: ~1h 2min.
Flying to London is faster at ~57 min, saving about 5 min compared to Paris.
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 7, 2026.