Compare: Paris→New York (5,837 km) vs Paris→Tokyo (9,712 km). Paris → New York wins by 3,875 km (40%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated May 30, 2026
5,837 km
3,627 miles · Flight: ~7h 48min · Drive: ~94h 51min
✓ Shorter route
9,712 km
6,035 miles · Flight: ~12h 38min · Drive: ~157h 49min
Difference: 3,875 km (40%) · Flight time difference: ~4h 50min
Verdict
Paris → New York is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 3,875 km (40%) shorter, saves about 4h 50min of flight time, and cuts roughly 989 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Paris → Tokyo only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Paris → New York is the shorter route at 5,837 km, which is 3,875 km (40%) shorter than Paris → Tokyo. You would save approximately 4h 50min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Paris → New York | Paris → Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 5,837 | 9,712 |
| Distance (miles) | 3,627 | 6,035 |
| Flight time | ~7h 48min | ~12h 38min |
| Driving time | ~94h 51min | ~157h 49min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~7,588 km | ~12,626 km |
| Drivable? | No | No |
| Cross-continental | Yes | Yes |
| Initial bearing | 292° (WNW) | 33° (NNE) |
| Time-zone shift | -5h | +9h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~1,488 kg | ~2,477 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | — | — |
| Fuel cost (est.) | — | — |
Flying from Paris to New York produces roughly 1,488 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Paris → Tokyo flight emits about 2,477 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 989 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 47 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration.
The Paris to New York route covers 5,837 km (3,627 miles), crossing from Europe to North America. Paris (population: 2,161,000) is located in Île-de-France, France, while New York (population: 8,336,817) is in Northeast, United States.
The Paris to Tokyo route covers 9,712 km (6,035 miles), spanning from Europe to Asia. Paris (population: 2,161,000) is in Île-de-France, France, and Tokyo (population: 13,960,000) is in Kanto, Japan.
Flying from Paris to New York takes approximately 7h 48min, while Paris to Tokyo takes 12h 38min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 94h 51min for the first route and 157h 49min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Paris, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between New York and Tokyo as a destination.
The 3,875 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Neither route is practical by car. Flying is the recommended transport for both.
New York (United States) has a population of 8,336,817 and is located in the Northeast region of North America. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Tokyo (Japan) has a population of 13,960,000 and is situated in Kanto, Asia. This major global city has multiple airports and world-class infrastructure.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching New York (United States) — a city of 8,336,817 in the Northeast region of North America. It is also the shorter option at 5,837 km, which translates to a 4h 50min flight-time saving and roughly 989 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. This is a fly-only route in practice — overland travel is not realistic at 5,837 km. The initial bearing is 292° (WNW), so a great-circle flight leaves Paris heading roughly WNW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Tokyo (Japan) — a city of 13,960,000 in the Kanto region of Asia. Even though it is the longer route at 9,712 km, it remains the obvious pick when Tokyo is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Paris are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Overland travel is not practical for 9,712 km; flying is the realistic mode. Departing Paris, the great-circle bearing toward Tokyo is 33° (NNE).
Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) and New York (40.71°, -74.01°) sit with a time-zone shift of -5 hours. Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) and Tokyo (35.68°, 139.65°) have a +9-hour offset. Routes with time-zone shifts of 5 hours or more typically produce noticeable jet lag — plan one recovery day per three time zones crossed.
New York is closer at 5,837 km, which is 3,875 km (40%) shorter.
5,837 km (3,627 miles). Flight: ~7h 48min.
9,712 km (6,035 miles). Flight: ~12h 38min.
Flying to New York is faster at ~7h 48min, saving about 4h 50min compared to Tokyo.
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.