Compare: Dublin→Edinburgh (350 km) vs Dublin→Amsterdam (757 km). Dublin → Edinburgh wins by 407 km (54%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
350 km
217 miles · Flight: ~56 min · Drive: ~5h 41min
✓ Shorter route
757 km
470 miles · Flight: ~1h 27min · Drive: ~12h 18min
Difference: 407 km (54%) · Flight time difference: ~31 min
Verdict
Dublin → Edinburgh is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 407 km (54%) shorter, saves about 31 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 104 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Dublin → Amsterdam only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Dublin → Edinburgh is the shorter route at 350 km, which is 407 km (54%) shorter than Dublin → Amsterdam. You would save approximately 31 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Dublin → Edinburgh | Dublin → Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 350 | 757 |
| Distance (miles) | 217 | 470 |
| Flight time | ~56 min | ~1h 27min |
| Driving time | ~5h 41min | ~12h 18min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~455 km | ~984 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 33° (NNE) | 94° (E) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~89 kg | ~193 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~78 kg | ~168 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$46 USD | ~$98 USD |
Flying from Dublin to Edinburgh produces roughly 89 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Dublin → Amsterdam flight emits about 193 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 104 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 5 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 78 kg and 168 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Dublin to Edinburgh route covers 350 km (217 miles), staying within Europe. Dublin (population: 554,554) is located in Leinster, Ireland, while Edinburgh (population: 524,930) is in Scotland, United Kingdom.
The Dublin to Amsterdam route covers 757 km (470 miles), remaining within Europe. Dublin (population: 554,554) is in Leinster, Ireland, and Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is in North Holland, Netherlands.
Flying from Dublin to Edinburgh takes approximately 56 min, while Dublin to Amsterdam takes 1h 27min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 5h 41min for the first route and 12h 18min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Dublin, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Edinburgh and Amsterdam as a destination.
The 407 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 455 km and 984 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 529 km of driving.
Edinburgh (United Kingdom) has a population of 524,930 and is located in the Scotland region of Europe. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Amsterdam (Netherlands) has a population of 872,680 and is situated in North Holland, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Edinburgh (United Kingdom) — a city of 524,930 in the Scotland region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 350 km, which translates to a 31 min flight-time saving and roughly 104 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 455 km of road and a fuel cost band around $46 USD. The initial bearing is 33° (NNE), so a great-circle flight leaves Dublin heading roughly NNE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Amsterdam (Netherlands) — a city of 872,680 in the North Holland region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 757 km, it remains the obvious pick when Amsterdam is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Dublin are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 984 km of road and a fuel cost in the $98 USD range. Departing Dublin, the great-circle bearing toward Amsterdam is 94° (E).
Dublin (53.35°, -6.26°) and Edinburgh (55.95°, -3.19°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Dublin (53.35°, -6.26°) and Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Edinburgh is closer at 350 km, which is 407 km (54%) shorter.
350 km (217 miles). Flight: ~56 min.
757 km (470 miles). Flight: ~1h 27min.
Flying to Edinburgh is faster at ~56 min, saving about 31 min compared to Amsterdam.
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.