Compare: Nairobi→Cairo (3,534 km) vs Nairobi→London (6,821 km). Nairobi → Cairo wins by 3,287 km (48%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
3,534 km
2,196 miles · Flight: ~4h 55min · Drive: ~57h 26min
✓ Shorter route
6,821 km
4,238 miles · Flight: ~9h 2min · Drive: ~110h 50min
Difference: 3,287 km (48%) · Flight time difference: ~4h 7min
Verdict
Nairobi → Cairo is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 3,287 km (48%) shorter, saves about 4h 7min of flight time, and cuts roughly 838 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Nairobi → London only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Nairobi → Cairo is the shorter route at 3,534 km, which is 3,287 km (48%) shorter than Nairobi → London. You would save approximately 4h 7min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Nairobi → Cairo | Nairobi → London |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 3,534 | 6,821 |
| Distance (miles) | 2,196 | 4,238 |
| Flight time | ~4h 55min | ~9h 2min |
| Driving time | ~57h 26min | ~110h 50min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~4,594 km | ~8,867 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | No |
| Cross-continental | No | Yes |
| Initial bearing | 351° (N) | 335° (NNW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | -2h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~901 kg | ~1,739 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~786 kg | — |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$459 USD | — |
Flying from Nairobi to Cairo produces roughly 901 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Nairobi → London flight emits about 1,739 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 838 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 40 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration.
The Nairobi to Cairo route covers 3,534 km (2,196 miles), staying within Africa. Nairobi (population: 4,734,000) is located in Nairobi, Kenya, while Cairo (population: 9,540,000) is in Greater Cairo, Egypt.
The Nairobi to London route covers 6,821 km (4,238 miles), spanning from Africa to Europe. Nairobi (population: 4,734,000) is in Nairobi, Kenya, and London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.
Flying from Nairobi to Cairo takes approximately 4h 55min, while Nairobi to London takes 9h 2min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 57h 26min for the first route and 110h 50min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Nairobi, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Cairo and London as a destination.
The 3,287 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Only the Nairobi→Cairo route is practical by car (4,594 km by road). The other route requires flying.
Cairo (Egypt) has a population of 9,540,000 and is located in the Greater Cairo region of Africa. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
London (United Kingdom) has a population of 8,982,000 and is situated in England, Europe. This major global city has multiple airports and world-class infrastructure.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Cairo (Egypt) — a city of 9,540,000 in the Greater Cairo region of Africa. It is also the shorter option at 3,534 km, which translates to a 4h 7min flight-time saving and roughly 838 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 4,594 km of road and a fuel cost band around $459 USD. The initial bearing is 351° (N), so a great-circle flight leaves Nairobi heading roughly N.
This route is the right call if you are heading to London (United Kingdom) — a city of 8,982,000 in the England region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 6,821 km, it remains the obvious pick when London is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Nairobi are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Overland travel is not practical for 6,821 km; flying is the realistic mode. Departing Nairobi, the great-circle bearing toward London is 335° (NNW).
Nairobi (-1.29°, 36.82°) and Cairo (30.04°, 31.24°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Nairobi (-1.29°, 36.82°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) have a -2-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Cairo is closer at 3,534 km, which is 3,287 km (48%) shorter.
3,534 km (2,196 miles). Flight: ~4h 55min.
6,821 km (4,238 miles). Flight: ~9h 2min.
Flying to Cairo is faster at ~4h 55min, saving about 4h 7min 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 21, 2026.