Compare: Madrid→London (1,263 km) vs Madrid→Paris (1,053 km). Madrid → Paris wins by 210 km (17%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026
1,263 km
785 miles · Flight: ~2h 5min · Drive: ~20h 31min
1,053 km
654 miles · Flight: ~1h 49min · Drive: ~17h 7min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 210 km (17%) · Flight time difference: ~16 min
Madrid → Paris is the shorter route at 1,053 km, which is 210 km (17%) shorter than Madrid → London. You would save approximately 16 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Madrid → London | Madrid → Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,263 | 1,053 |
| Distance (miles) | 785 | 654 |
| Flight time | ~2h 5min | ~1h 49min |
| Driving time | ~20h 31min | ~17h 7min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,642 km | ~1,369 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
The Madrid to London route covers 1,263 km (785 miles), staying within Europe. Madrid (population: 3,223,334) is located in Community of Madrid, Spain, while London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.
The Madrid to Paris route covers 1,053 km (654 miles), remaining within Europe. Madrid (population: 3,223,334) is in Community of Madrid, Spain, and Paris (population: 2,161,000) is in Île-de-France, France.
Flying from Madrid to London takes approximately 2h 5min, while Madrid to Paris takes 1h 49min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 20h 31min for the first route and 17h 7min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Madrid, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between London and Paris as a destination.
The 210 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 1,642 km and 1,369 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 273 km of driving.
London (United Kingdom) has a population of 8,982,000 and is located in the England region of Europe. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Paris (France) has a population of 2,161,000 and is situated in Île-de-France, Europe. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose Madrid → Paris if minimizing travel distance and flight time is your priority. The 210 km difference means a modest saving in fuel, time, and potentially cost. Choose Madrid → London if the destination itself is more important than the journey length.
Paris is closer at 1,053 km, which is 210 km (17%) shorter.
1,263 km (785 miles). Flight: ~2h 5min.
1,053 km (654 miles). Flight: ~1h 49min.
Flying to Paris is faster at ~1h 49min, saving about 16 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 7, 2026.