Delhi → London vs Delhi → Dubai: Which Is Closer?

Compare: Delhi→London (6,697 km) vs Delhi→Dubai (2,195 km). Delhi → Dubai wins by 4,502 km (67%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.

By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026

Delhi → London

6,697 km

4,161 miles · Flight: ~8h 52min · Drive: ~108h 50min

Delhi → Dubai

2,195 km

1,364 miles · Flight: ~3h 15min · Drive: ~35h 40min

✓ Shorter route

Difference: 4,502 km (67%) · Flight time difference: ~5h 37min

Verdict

Delhi → Dubai is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 4,502 km (67%) shorter, saves about 5h 37min of flight time, and cuts roughly 1,148 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Delhi → London only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.

Quick Answer

Delhi → Dubai is the shorter route at 2,195 km, which is 4,502 km (67%) shorter than Delhi → London. You would save approximately 5h 37min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Delhi → London Delhi → Dubai
Distance (km)6,6972,195
Distance (miles)4,1611,364
Flight time~8h 52min~3h 15min
Driving time~108h 50min~35h 40min
Road distance (est.)~8,706 km~2,854 km
Drivable?NoYes
Cross-continentalYesNo
Initial bearing316° (NW)265° (W)
Time-zone shift-5h-1h
CO₂ – flight (per pax)~1,708 kg~560 kg
CO₂ – driving (per car)~488 kg
Fuel cost (est.)~$285 USD

Carbon Footprint Comparison

Flying from Delhi to London produces roughly 1,708 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Delhi → Dubai flight emits about 560 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 1,148 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 55 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration.

Route Comparison Analysis

The Delhi to London route covers 6,697 km (4,161 miles), crossing from Asia to Europe. Delhi (population: 16,787,941) is located in North India, India, while London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.

The Delhi to Dubai route covers 2,195 km (1,364 miles), remaining within Asia. Delhi (population: 16,787,941) is in North India, India, and Dubai (population: 3,331,420) is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Travel Time Breakdown

Flying from Delhi to London takes approximately 8h 52min, while Delhi to Dubai takes 3h 15min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 108h 50min for the first route and 35h 40min for the second.

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

Practical Considerations

The 4,502 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.

Only the Delhi→Dubai route is practical by car (2,854 km by road). The other route requires flying.

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.

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) has a population of 3,331,420 and is situated in Dubai, Asia. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.

When to Choose Each Route

Pick Delhi → 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 6,697 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 6,697 km. The initial bearing is 316° (NW), so a great-circle flight leaves Delhi heading roughly NW.

Pick Delhi → Dubai when…

This route is the right call if you are heading to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) — a city of 3,331,420 in the Dubai region of Asia. It is also the shorter of the two at 2,195 km, saving about 5h 37min of flying and around 1,148 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 2,854 km of road and a fuel cost in the $285 USD range. Departing Delhi, the great-circle bearing toward Dubai is 265° (W).

Bearings, Time Zones & Geography

Delhi (28.70°, 77.10°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) sit with a time-zone shift of -5 hours. Delhi (28.70°, 77.10°) and Dubai (25.20°, 55.27°) have a -1-hour offset. Routes with time-zone shifts of 5 hours or more typically produce noticeable jet lag — plan one recovery day per three time zones crossed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is closer: London or Dubai?

Dubai is closer at 2,195 km, which is 4,502 km (67%) shorter.

How far is Delhi to London?

6,697 km (4,161 miles). Flight: ~8h 52min.

How far is Delhi to Dubai?

2,195 km (1,364 miles). Flight: ~3h 15min.

Is it faster to fly to London or Dubai?

Flying to Dubai is faster at ~3h 15min, saving about 5h 37min 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.