Compare: Copenhagen→Malmo (28 km) vs Copenhagen→Stockholm (522 km). Copenhagen → Malmo wins by 494 km (95%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
28 km
17 miles · Flight: ~32 min · Drive: ~27 min
✓ Shorter route
522 km
324 miles · Flight: ~1h 9min · Drive: ~8h 29min
Difference: 494 km (95%) · Flight time difference: ~37 min
Verdict
Copenhagen → Malmo is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 494 km (95%) shorter, saves about 37 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 126 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Copenhagen → Stockholm only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Copenhagen → Malmo is the shorter route at 28 km, which is 494 km (95%) shorter than Copenhagen → Stockholm. You would save approximately 37 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Copenhagen → Malmo | Copenhagen → Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 28 | 522 |
| Distance (miles) | 17 | 324 |
| Flight time | ~32 min | ~1h 9min |
| Driving time | ~27 min | ~8h 29min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~36 km | ~679 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 106° (ESE) | 37° (NE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~7 kg | ~133 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~6 kg | ~116 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$4 USD | ~$68 USD |
Flying from Copenhagen to Malmo produces roughly 7 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Copenhagen → Stockholm flight emits about 133 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 126 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 6 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 6 kg and 116 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Copenhagen to Malmo route covers 28 km (17 miles), staying within Europe. Copenhagen (population: 794,128) is located in Capital Region, Denmark, while Malmo (population: 347,949) is in Skåne, Sweden.
The Copenhagen to Stockholm route covers 522 km (324 miles), remaining within Europe. Copenhagen (population: 794,128) is in Capital Region, Denmark, and Stockholm (population: 975,904) is in Stockholm, Sweden.
Flying from Copenhagen to Malmo takes approximately 32 min, while Copenhagen to Stockholm takes 1h 9min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 27 min for the first route and 8h 29min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Copenhagen, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Malmo and Stockholm as a destination.
The 494 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 36 km and 679 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 643 km of driving.
Malmo (Sweden) has a population of 347,949 and is located in the Skåne region of Europe. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Stockholm (Sweden) has a population of 975,904 and is situated in Stockholm, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Malmo (Sweden) — a city of 347,949 in the Skåne region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 28 km, which translates to a 37 min flight-time saving and roughly 126 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 36 km of road and a fuel cost band around $4 USD. The initial bearing is 106° (ESE), so a great-circle flight leaves Copenhagen heading roughly ESE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Stockholm (Sweden) — a city of 975,904 in the Stockholm region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 522 km, it remains the obvious pick when Stockholm is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Copenhagen are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 679 km of road and a fuel cost in the $68 USD range. Departing Copenhagen, the great-circle bearing toward Stockholm is 37° (NE).
Copenhagen (55.68°, 12.57°) and Malmo (55.61°, 13.00°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Copenhagen (55.68°, 12.57°) and Stockholm (59.33°, 18.07°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Malmo is closer at 28 km, which is 494 km (95%) shorter.
28 km (17 miles). Flight: ~32 min.
522 km (324 miles). Flight: ~1h 9min.
Flying to Malmo is faster at ~32 min, saving about 37 min compared to Stockholm.
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.