Compare: London→Dublin (463 km) vs London→Edinburgh (534 km). London → Dublin wins by 71 km (13%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team
463 km
288 miles · Flight: ~1h 5min
✓ Shorter route
534 km
332 miles · Flight: ~1h 10min · Drive: ~8h 41min
Difference: 71 km (13%) · Flight time difference: ~5 min
Verdict
London → Dublin is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 71 km (13%) shorter, saves about 5 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 18 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose London → Edinburgh only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
London → Dublin is the shorter route at 463 km, which is 71 km (13%) shorter than London → Edinburgh. You would save approximately 5 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | London → Dublin | London → Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 463 | 534 |
| Distance (miles) | 288 | 332 |
| Flight time | ~1h 5min | ~1h 10min |
| Driving time | No road estimate | ~8h 41min |
| Road distance (rough estimate) | Not published | ~694 km |
| Continuous road link? | No | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 299° (WNW) | 339° (NNW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~118 kg | ~136 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | — | ~119 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | — | ~$69 USD |
Flying from London to Dublin produces roughly 118 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The London → Edinburgh flight emits about 136 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 18 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 1 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration.
The London to Dublin route covers 463 km (288 miles), staying within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is located in England, United Kingdom, while Dublin (population: 554,554) is in Leinster, Ireland.
The London to Edinburgh route covers 534 km (332 miles), remaining within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom, and Edinburgh (population: 524,930) is in Scotland, United Kingdom.
Flying from London to Dublin takes approximately 1h 5min, while London to Edinburgh takes 1h 10min.
Since both routes depart from London, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Dublin and Edinburgh as a destination.
The 71 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Only the London→Edinburgh route has a usable land link (roughly 694 km by road, estimated). There is no continuous road connection between London and Dublin — the two cities sit on separate landmasses, so the journey requires air or sea transport.
Dublin (Ireland) has a population of 554,554 and is located in the Leinster region of Europe. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Edinburgh (United Kingdom) has a population of 524,930 and is situated in Scotland, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Dublin (Ireland) — a city of 554,554 in the Leinster region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 463 km, which translates to a 5 min flight-time saving and roughly 18 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. This is a fly-only route in practice — overland travel is not realistic at 463 km. The initial bearing is 299° (WNW), so a great-circle flight leaves London heading roughly WNW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Edinburgh (United Kingdom) — a city of 524,930 in the Scotland region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 534 km, it remains the obvious pick when Edinburgh is the actual destination, when departure schedules from London are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 694 km of road and a fuel cost in the $69 USD range. Departing London, the great-circle bearing toward Edinburgh is 339° (NNW).
London (51.51°, -0.13°) → Dublin (53.35°, -6.26°): London keeps Europe/London time and Dublin keeps Europe/Dublin time, and the two zones hold the same clock time for most of the year. Because each zone changes to and from daylight saving on its own schedule, check the live difference in the calculator for your travel dates. London (51.51°, -0.13°) → Edinburgh (55.95°, -3.19°): London keeps Europe/London time and Edinburgh keeps Europe/London time, and the two zones hold the same clock time for most of the year. Because each zone changes to and from daylight saving on its own schedule, check the live difference in the calculator for your travel dates. Both gaps come from the cities' real IANA zones and move with daylight saving. Both routes have manageable shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Dublin is closer at 463 km, which is 71 km (13%) shorter.
463 km (288 miles). Flight: ~1h 5min.
534 km (332 miles). Flight: ~1h 10min.
Flying to Dublin is faster at ~1h 5min, saving about 5 min compared to Edinburgh.
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.