London → Prague vs London → Vienna: Which Is Closer?

Compare: London→Prague (1,034 km) vs London→Vienna (1,235 km). London → Prague wins by 201 km (16%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.

By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026

London → Prague

1,034 km

642 miles · Flight: ~1h 48min · Drive: ~16h 48min

✓ Shorter route

London → Vienna

1,235 km

767 miles · Flight: ~2h 3min · Drive: ~20h 4min

Difference: 201 km (16%) · Flight time difference: ~15 min

Verdict

London → Prague is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 201 km (16%) shorter, saves about 15 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 51 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose London → Vienna only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.

Quick Answer

London → Prague is the shorter route at 1,034 km, which is 201 km (16%) shorter than London → Vienna. You would save approximately 15 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric London → Prague London → Vienna
Distance (km)1,0341,235
Distance (miles)642767
Flight time~1h 48min~2h 3min
Driving time~16h 48min~20h 4min
Road distance (est.)~1,344 km~1,606 km
Drivable?YesYes
Cross-continentalNoNo
Initial bearing93° (E)101° (E)
Time-zone shift+1h+1h
CO₂ – flight (per pax)~264 kg~315 kg
CO₂ – driving (per car)~230 kg~275 kg
Fuel cost (est.)~$134 USD~$161 USD

Carbon Footprint Comparison

Flying from London to Prague produces roughly 264 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The London → Vienna flight emits about 315 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 51 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 2 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 230 kg and 275 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.

Route Comparison Analysis

The London to Prague route covers 1,034 km (642 miles), staying within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is located in England, United Kingdom, while Prague (population: 1,309,000) is in Bohemia, Czech Republic.

The London to Vienna route covers 1,235 km (767 miles), remaining within Europe. London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom, and Vienna (population: 1,911,191) is in Vienna, Austria.

Travel Time Breakdown

Flying from London to Prague takes approximately 1h 48min, while London to Vienna takes 2h 3min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 16h 48min for the first route and 20h 4min for the second.

Since both routes depart from London, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Prague and Vienna as a destination.

Practical Considerations

The 201 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 1,344 km and 1,606 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 262 km of driving.

Destination Overview

Prague (Czech Republic) has a population of 1,309,000 and is located in the Bohemia region of Europe. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.

Vienna (Austria) has a population of 1,911,191 and is situated in Vienna, Europe. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.

When to Choose Each Route

Pick London → Prague when…

Choose this route if your priority is reaching Prague (Czech Republic) — a city of 1,309,000 in the Bohemia region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 1,034 km, which translates to a 15 min flight-time saving and roughly 51 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,344 km of road and a fuel cost band around $134 USD. The initial bearing is 93° (E), so a great-circle flight leaves London heading roughly E.

Pick London → Vienna when…

This route is the right call if you are heading to Vienna (Austria) — a city of 1,911,191 in the Vienna region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 1,235 km, it remains the obvious pick when Vienna is the actual destination, when departure schedules from London are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 1,606 km of road and a fuel cost in the $161 USD range. Departing London, the great-circle bearing toward Vienna is 101° (E).

Bearings, Time Zones & Geography

London (51.51°, -0.13°) and Prague (50.08°, 14.44°) sit with a time-zone shift of +1 hour. London (51.51°, -0.13°) and Vienna (48.21°, 16.37°) have a +1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is closer: Prague or Vienna?

Prague is closer at 1,034 km, which is 201 km (16%) shorter.

How far is London to Prague?

1,034 km (642 miles). Flight: ~1h 48min.

How far is London to Vienna?

1,235 km (767 miles). Flight: ~2h 3min.

Is it faster to fly to Prague or Vienna?

Flying to Prague is faster at ~1h 48min, saving about 15 min compared to Vienna.

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How We Calculate Distance

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.

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📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 7, 2026.