Paris → Dublin vs Paris → London: Which Is Closer?

Compare: Paris→Dublin (781 km) vs Paris→London (344 km). Paris → London wins by 437 km (56%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.

By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026

Paris → Dublin

781 km

485 miles · Flight: ~1h 29min · Drive: ~12h 41min

Paris → London

344 km

214 miles · Flight: ~56 min · Drive: ~5h 35min

✓ Shorter route

Difference: 437 km (56%) · Flight time difference: ~33 min

Verdict

Paris → London is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 437 km (56%) shorter, saves about 33 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 111 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Paris → Dublin only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.

Quick Answer

Paris → London is the shorter route at 344 km, which is 437 km (56%) shorter than Paris → Dublin. You would save approximately 33 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Paris → Dublin Paris → London
Distance (km)781344
Distance (miles)485214
Flight time~1h 29min~56 min
Driving time~12h 41min~5h 35min
Road distance (est.)~1,015 km~447 km
Drivable?YesYes
Cross-continentalNoNo
Initial bearing313° (NW)330° (NNW)
Time-zone shiftNoneNone
CO₂ – flight (per pax)~199 kg~88 kg
CO₂ – driving (per car)~174 kg~76 kg
Fuel cost (est.)~$102 USD~$45 USD

Carbon Footprint Comparison

Flying from Paris to Dublin produces roughly 199 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Paris → London flight emits about 88 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 111 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 5 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 174 kg and 76 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.

Route Comparison Analysis

The Paris to Dublin route covers 781 km (485 miles), staying within Europe. Paris (population: 2,161,000) is located in Île-de-France, France, while Dublin (population: 554,554) is in Leinster, Ireland.

The Paris to London route covers 344 km (214 miles), remaining within Europe. Paris (population: 2,161,000) is in Île-de-France, France, and London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.

Travel Time Breakdown

Flying from Paris to Dublin takes approximately 1h 29min, while Paris to London takes 56 min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 12h 41min for the first route and 5h 35min for the second.

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

Practical Considerations

The 437 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.

Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,015 km and 447 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 568 km of driving.

Destination Overview

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.

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.

When to Choose Each Route

Pick Paris → Dublin when…

Choose this route if your priority is reaching Dublin (Ireland) — a city of 554,554 in the Leinster region of Europe. Despite being the longer of the two at 781 km, it makes sense when Dublin itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,015 km of road and a fuel cost band around $102 USD. The initial bearing is 313° (NW), so a great-circle flight leaves Paris heading roughly NW.

Pick Paris → London when…

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. It is also the shorter of the two at 344 km, saving about 33 min of flying and around 111 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 447 km of road and a fuel cost in the $45 USD range. Departing Paris, the great-circle bearing toward London is 330° (NNW).

Bearings, Time Zones & Geography

Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) and Dublin (53.35°, -6.26°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is closer: Dublin or London?

London is closer at 344 km, which is 437 km (56%) shorter.

How far is Paris to Dublin?

781 km (485 miles). Flight: ~1h 29min.

How far is Paris to London?

344 km (214 miles). Flight: ~56 min.

Is it faster to fly to Dublin or London?

Flying to London is faster at ~56 min, saving about 33 min compared to Dublin.

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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 21, 2026.