Compare: Bangalore→Chennai (290 km) vs Bangalore→Hyderabad (500 km). Bangalore → Chennai wins by 210 km (42%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
290 km
180 miles · Flight: ~52 min · Drive: ~4h 43min
✓ Shorter route
500 km
311 miles · Flight: ~1h 8min · Drive: ~8h 8min
Difference: 210 km (42%) · Flight time difference: ~16 min
Verdict
Bangalore → Chennai is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 210 km (42%) shorter, saves about 16 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 54 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Bangalore → Hyderabad only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Bangalore → Chennai is the shorter route at 290 km, which is 210 km (42%) shorter than Bangalore → Hyderabad. You would save approximately 16 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Bangalore → Chennai | Bangalore → Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 290 | 500 |
| Distance (miles) | 180 | 311 |
| Flight time | ~52 min | ~1h 8min |
| Driving time | ~4h 43min | ~8h 8min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~377 km | ~650 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 87° (E) | 11° (N) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~74 kg | ~128 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~64 kg | ~111 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$38 USD | ~$65 USD |
Flying from Bangalore to Chennai produces roughly 74 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Bangalore → Hyderabad flight emits about 128 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 64 kg and 111 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Bangalore to Chennai route covers 290 km (180 miles), staying within Asia. Bangalore (population: 8,443,675) is located in South India, India, while Chennai (population: 7,088,000) is in South India, India.
The Bangalore to Hyderabad route covers 500 km (311 miles), remaining within Asia. Bangalore (population: 8,443,675) is in South India, India, and Hyderabad (population: 6,809,970) is in South India, India.
Flying from Bangalore to Chennai takes approximately 52 min, while Bangalore to Hyderabad takes 1h 8min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 4h 43min for the first route and 8h 8min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Bangalore, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Chennai and Hyderabad as a destination.
The 210 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 377 km and 650 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 273 km of driving.
Chennai (India) has a population of 7,088,000 and is located in the South India region of Asia. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Hyderabad (India) has a population of 6,809,970 and is situated in South India, Asia. This major global city has multiple airports and world-class infrastructure.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Chennai (India) — a city of 7,088,000 in the South India region of Asia. It is also the shorter option at 290 km, which translates to a 16 min flight-time saving and roughly 54 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 377 km of road and a fuel cost band around $38 USD. The initial bearing is 87° (E), so a great-circle flight leaves Bangalore heading roughly E.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Hyderabad (India) — a city of 6,809,970 in the South India region of Asia. Even though it is the longer route at 500 km, it remains the obvious pick when Hyderabad is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Bangalore are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 650 km of road and a fuel cost in the $65 USD range. Departing Bangalore, the great-circle bearing toward Hyderabad is 11° (N).
Bangalore (12.97°, 77.59°) and Chennai (13.08°, 80.27°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Bangalore (12.97°, 77.59°) and Hyderabad (17.39°, 78.49°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Chennai is closer at 290 km, which is 210 km (42%) shorter.
290 km (180 miles). Flight: ~52 min.
500 km (311 miles). Flight: ~1h 8min.
Flying to Chennai is faster at ~52 min, saving about 16 min compared to Hyderabad.
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.