Compare: London→Barcelona (1,139 km) vs London→Lisbon (1,585 km). London → Barcelona wins by 446 km (28%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026
1,139 km
708 miles · Flight: ~1h 55min · Drive: ~18h 31min
✓ Shorter route
1,585 km
985 miles · Flight: ~2h 29min · Drive: ~25h 45min
Difference: 446 km (28%) · Flight time difference: ~34 min
London → Barcelona is the shorter route at 1,139 km, which is 446 km (28%) shorter than London → Lisbon. You would save approximately 34 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | London → Barcelona | London → Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,139 | 1,585 |
| Distance (miles) | 708 | 985 |
| Flight time | ~1h 55min | ~2h 29min |
| Driving time | ~18h 31min | ~25h 45min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,481 km | ~2,061 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
The London to Barcelona route covers 1,139 km (708 miles), staying within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is located in England, United Kingdom, while Barcelona (population: 1,620,343) is in Catalonia, Spain.
The London to Lisbon route covers 1,585 km (985 miles), remaining within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom, and Lisbon (population: 544,851) is in Lisbon, Portugal.
Flying from London to Barcelona takes approximately 1h 55min, while London to Lisbon takes 2h 29min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 18h 31min for the first route and 25h 45min for the second.
Since both routes depart from London, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Barcelona and Lisbon as a destination.
The 446 km difference between these routes is noticeable in both travel time and fuel or ticket costs.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,481 km and 2,061 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 580 km of driving.
Barcelona (Spain) has a population of 1,620,343 and is located in the Catalonia region of Europe. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
Lisbon (Portugal) has a population of 544,851 and is situated in Lisbon, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose London → Barcelona if minimizing travel distance and flight time is your priority. The 446 km difference means a significant saving in fuel, time, and potentially cost. Choose London → Lisbon if the destination itself is more important than the journey length.
Barcelona is closer at 1,139 km, which is 446 km (28%) shorter.
1,139 km (708 miles). Flight: ~1h 55min.
1,585 km (985 miles). Flight: ~2h 29min.
Flying to Barcelona is faster at ~1h 55min, saving about 34 min compared to Lisbon.
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 7, 2026.