Compare: London→Paris (344 km) vs London→Amsterdam (358 km). London → Paris wins by 14 km (4%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated May 30, 2026
344 km
214 miles · Flight: ~56 min · Drive: ~5h 35min
✓ Shorter route
358 km
222 miles · Flight: ~57 min · Drive: ~5h 49min
Difference: 14 km (4%) · Flight time difference: ~1 min
Verdict
London → Paris is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 14 km (4%) shorter, saves about 1 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 3 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose London → Amsterdam only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
London → Paris is the shorter route at 344 km, which is 14 km (4%) shorter than London → Amsterdam. You would save approximately 1 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | London → Paris | London → Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 344 | 358 |
| Distance (miles) | 214 | 222 |
| Flight time | ~56 min | ~57 min |
| Driving time | ~5h 35min | ~5h 49min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~447 km | ~465 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 148° (SSE) | 73° (ENE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~88 kg | ~91 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~76 kg | ~80 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$45 USD | ~$47 USD |
Flying from London to Paris produces roughly 88 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The London → Amsterdam flight emits about 91 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 3 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 0 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 76 kg and 80 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The London to Paris route covers 344 km (214 miles), staying within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is located in England, United Kingdom, while Paris (population: 2,161,000) is in Île-de-France, France.
The London to Amsterdam route covers 358 km (222 miles), remaining within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom, and Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is in North Holland, Netherlands.
Flying from London to Paris takes approximately 56 min, while London to Amsterdam takes 57 min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 5h 35min for the first route and 5h 49min for the second.
Since both routes depart from London, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Paris and Amsterdam as a destination.
The 14 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 447 km and 465 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 18 km of driving.
Paris (France) has a population of 2,161,000 and is located in the Île-de-France region of Europe. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
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 Paris (France) — a city of 2,161,000 in the Île-de-France region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 344 km, which translates to a 1 min flight-time saving and roughly 3 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 447 km of road and a fuel cost band around $45 USD. The initial bearing is 148° (SSE), so a great-circle flight leaves London heading roughly SSE.
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 358 km, it remains the obvious pick when Amsterdam is the actual destination, when departure schedules from London are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 465 km of road and a fuel cost in the $47 USD range. Departing London, the great-circle bearing toward Amsterdam is 73° (ENE).
London (51.51°, -0.13°) and Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) sit in the same approximate time zone. London (51.51°, -0.13°) 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.
Paris is closer at 344 km, which is 14 km (4%) shorter.
344 km (214 miles). Flight: ~56 min.
358 km (222 miles). Flight: ~57 min.
Flying to Paris is faster at ~56 min, saving about 1 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: May 30, 2026.