Cairo → London vs Cairo → Paris: Which Is Closer?

Compare: Cairo→London (3,511 km) vs Cairo→Paris (3,210 km). Cairo → Paris wins by 301 km (9%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.

By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026

Cairo → London

3,511 km

2,182 miles · Flight: ~4h 53min · Drive: ~57h 3min

Cairo → Paris

3,210 km

1,995 miles · Flight: ~4h 31min · Drive: ~52h 10min

✓ Shorter route

Difference: 301 km (9%) · Flight time difference: ~22 min

Verdict

Cairo → Paris is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 301 km (9%) shorter, saves about 22 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 76 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Cairo → London only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.

Quick Answer

Cairo → Paris is the shorter route at 3,210 km, which is 301 km (9%) shorter than Cairo → London. You would save approximately 22 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Cairo → London Cairo → Paris
Distance (km)3,5113,210
Distance (miles)2,1821,995
Flight time~4h 53min~4h 31min
Driving time~57h 3min~52h 10min
Road distance (est.)~4,564 km~4,173 km
Drivable?NoNo
Cross-continentalYesYes
Initial bearing322° (NW)319° (NW)
Time-zone shift-2h-2h
CO₂ – flight (per pax)~895 kg~819 kg
CO₂ – driving (per car)
Fuel cost (est.)

Carbon Footprint Comparison

Flying from Cairo to London produces roughly 895 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Cairo → Paris flight emits about 819 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 76 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 4 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration.

Route Comparison Analysis

The Cairo to London route covers 3,511 km (2,182 miles), crossing from Africa to Europe. Cairo (population: 9,540,000) is located in Greater Cairo, Egypt, while London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.

The Cairo to Paris route covers 3,210 km (1,995 miles), spanning from Africa to Europe. Cairo (population: 9,540,000) is in Greater Cairo, Egypt, and Paris (population: 2,161,000) is in Île-de-France, France.

Travel Time Breakdown

Flying from Cairo to London takes approximately 4h 53min, while Cairo to Paris takes 4h 31min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 57h 3min for the first route and 52h 10min for the second.

Since both routes depart from Cairo, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between London and Paris as a destination.

Practical Considerations

The 301 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.

Neither route is practical by car. Flying is the recommended transport for both.

Destination Overview

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.

When to Choose Each Route

Pick Cairo → London when…

Choose this route if your priority is reaching London (United Kingdom) — a city of 8,982,000 in the England region of Europe. Despite being the longer of the two at 3,511 km, it makes sense when London itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. This is a fly-only route in practice — overland travel is not realistic at 3,511 km. The initial bearing is 322° (NW), so a great-circle flight leaves Cairo heading roughly NW.

Pick Cairo → Paris when…

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. It is also the shorter of the two at 3,210 km, saving about 22 min of flying and around 76 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Overland travel is not practical for 3,210 km; flying is the realistic mode. Departing Cairo, the great-circle bearing toward Paris is 319° (NW).

Bearings, Time Zones & Geography

Cairo (30.04°, 31.24°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) sit with a time-zone shift of -2 hours. Cairo (30.04°, 31.24°) and Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) have a -2-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is closer: London or Paris?

Paris is closer at 3,210 km, which is 301 km (9%) shorter.

How far is Cairo to London?

3,511 km (2,182 miles). Flight: ~4h 53min.

How far is Cairo to Paris?

3,210 km (1,995 miles). Flight: ~4h 31min.

Is it faster to fly to London or Paris?

Flying to Paris is faster at ~4h 31min, saving about 22 min compared to London.

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How We Calculate Distance

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.

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📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.