Compare: Prague→Berlin (281 km) vs Prague→Vienna (251 km). Prague → Vienna wins by 30 km (11%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
281 km
175 miles · Flight: ~51 min · Drive: ~4h 34min
251 km
156 miles · Flight: ~49 min · Drive: ~4h 5min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 30 km (11%) · Flight time difference: ~2 min
Verdict
Prague → Vienna is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 30 km (11%) shorter, saves about 2 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 8 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Prague → Berlin only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Prague → Vienna is the shorter route at 251 km, which is 30 km (11%) shorter than Prague → Berlin. You would save approximately 2 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Prague → Berlin | Prague → Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 281 | 251 |
| Distance (miles) | 175 | 156 |
| Flight time | ~51 min | ~49 min |
| Driving time | ~4h 34min | ~4h 5min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~365 km | ~326 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 346° (NNW) | 145° (SE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~72 kg | ~64 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~62 kg | ~56 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$37 USD | ~$33 USD |
Flying from Prague to Berlin produces roughly 72 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Prague → Vienna flight emits about 64 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 8 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 0 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 62 kg and 56 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Prague to Berlin route covers 281 km (175 miles), staying within Europe. Prague (population: 1,309,000) is located in Bohemia, Czech Republic, while Berlin (population: 3,644,826) is in Brandenburg, Germany.
The Prague to Vienna route covers 251 km (156 miles), remaining within Europe. Prague (population: 1,309,000) is in Bohemia, Czech Republic, and Vienna (population: 1,911,191) is in Vienna, Austria.
Flying from Prague to Berlin takes approximately 51 min, while Prague to Vienna takes 49 min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 4h 34min for the first route and 4h 5min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Prague, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Berlin and Vienna as a destination.
The 30 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 365 km and 326 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 39 km of driving.
Berlin (Germany) has a population of 3,644,826 and is located in the Brandenburg 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.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Berlin (Germany) — a city of 3,644,826 in the Brandenburg region of Europe. Despite being the longer of the two at 281 km, it makes sense when Berlin itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 365 km of road and a fuel cost band around $37 USD. The initial bearing is 346° (NNW), so a great-circle flight leaves Prague heading roughly NNW.
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. It is also the shorter of the two at 251 km, saving about 2 min of flying and around 8 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 326 km of road and a fuel cost in the $33 USD range. Departing Prague, the great-circle bearing toward Vienna is 145° (SE).
Prague (50.08°, 14.44°) and Berlin (52.52°, 13.40°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Prague (50.08°, 14.44°) and Vienna (48.21°, 16.37°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Vienna is closer at 251 km, which is 30 km (11%) shorter.
281 km (175 miles). Flight: ~51 min.
251 km (156 miles). Flight: ~49 min.
Flying to Vienna is faster at ~49 min, saving about 2 min compared to Berlin.
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.