Compare: Glasgow→Edinburgh (67 km) vs Glasgow→London (555 km). Glasgow → Edinburgh wins by 488 km (88%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
67 km
42 miles · Flight: ~35 min · Drive: ~1h 5min
✓ Shorter route
555 km
345 miles · Flight: ~1h 12min · Drive: ~9h 1min
Difference: 488 km (88%) · Flight time difference: ~37 min
Verdict
Glasgow → Edinburgh is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 488 km (88%) shorter, saves about 37 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 125 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Glasgow → London only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Glasgow → Edinburgh is the shorter route at 67 km, which is 488 km (88%) shorter than Glasgow → London. You would save approximately 37 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Glasgow → Edinburgh | Glasgow → London |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 67 | 555 |
| Distance (miles) | 42 | 345 |
| Flight time | ~35 min | ~1h 12min |
| Driving time | ~1h 5min | ~9h 1min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~87 km | ~722 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 81° (E) | 149° (SSE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~17 kg | ~142 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~15 kg | ~123 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$9 USD | ~$72 USD |
Flying from Glasgow to Edinburgh produces roughly 17 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Glasgow → London flight emits about 142 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 125 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 6 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 15 kg and 123 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Glasgow to Edinburgh route covers 67 km (42 miles), staying within Europe. Glasgow (population: 633,120) is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, while Edinburgh (population: 524,930) is in Scotland, United Kingdom.
The Glasgow to London route covers 555 km (345 miles), remaining within Europe. Glasgow (population: 633,120) is in Scotland, United Kingdom, and London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.
Flying from Glasgow to Edinburgh takes approximately 35 min, while Glasgow to London takes 1h 12min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 1h 5min for the first route and 9h 1min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Glasgow, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Edinburgh and London as a destination.
The 488 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 87 km and 722 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 635 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.
London (United Kingdom) has a population of 8,982,000 and is situated in England, Europe. This major global city has multiple airports and world-class infrastructure.
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 67 km, which translates to a 37 min flight-time saving and roughly 125 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 87 km of road and a fuel cost band around $9 USD. The initial bearing is 81° (E), so a great-circle flight leaves Glasgow heading roughly E.
This route is the right call if you are heading to London (United Kingdom) — a city of 8,982,000 in the England region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 555 km, it remains the obvious pick when London is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Glasgow are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 722 km of road and a fuel cost in the $72 USD range. Departing Glasgow, the great-circle bearing toward London is 149° (SSE).
Glasgow (55.86°, -4.25°) and Edinburgh (55.95°, -3.19°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Glasgow (55.86°, -4.25°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) 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 67 km, which is 488 km (88%) shorter.
67 km (42 miles). Flight: ~35 min.
555 km (345 miles). Flight: ~1h 12min.
Flying to Edinburgh is faster at ~35 min, saving about 37 min compared to London.
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.