Compare: Seoul→Shanghai (866 km) vs Seoul→Hong Kong (2,092 km). Seoul → Shanghai wins by 1,226 km (59%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
866 km
538 miles · Flight: ~1h 35min · Drive: ~14h 4min
✓ Shorter route
2,092 km
1,300 miles · Flight: ~3h 7min · Drive: ~34h
Difference: 1,226 km (59%) · Flight time difference: ~1h 32min
Verdict
Seoul → Shanghai is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 1,226 km (59%) shorter, saves about 1h 32min of flight time, and cuts roughly 312 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Seoul → Hong Kong only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Seoul → Shanghai is the shorter route at 866 km, which is 1,226 km (59%) shorter than Seoul → Hong Kong. You would save approximately 1h 32min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Seoul → Shanghai | Seoul → Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 866 | 2,092 |
| Distance (miles) | 538 | 1,300 |
| Flight time | ~1h 35min | ~3h 7min |
| Driving time | ~14h 4min | ~34h |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,126 km | ~2,720 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 217° (SW) | 219° (SW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~221 kg | ~533 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~193 kg | ~465 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$113 USD | ~$272 USD |
Flying from Seoul to Shanghai produces roughly 221 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Seoul → Hong Kong flight emits about 533 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 312 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 15 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 193 kg and 465 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Seoul to Shanghai route covers 866 km (538 miles), staying within Asia. Seoul (population: 9,776,000) is located in Capital Area, South Korea, while Shanghai (population: 24,870,000) is in East China, China.
The Seoul to Hong Kong route covers 2,092 km (1,300 miles), remaining within Asia. Seoul (population: 9,776,000) is in Capital Area, South Korea, and Hong Kong (population: 7,488,865) is in Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong.
Flying from Seoul to Shanghai takes approximately 1h 35min, while Seoul to Hong Kong takes 3h 7min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 14h 4min for the first route and 34h for the second.
Since both routes depart from Seoul, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Shanghai and Hong Kong as a destination.
The 1,226 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,126 km and 2,720 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 1,594 km of driving.
Shanghai (China) has a population of 24,870,000 and is located in the East China region of Asia. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Hong Kong (Hong Kong) has a population of 7,488,865 and is situated in Hong Kong SAR, Asia. This major global city has multiple airports and world-class infrastructure.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Shanghai (China) — a city of 24,870,000 in the East China region of Asia. It is also the shorter option at 866 km, which translates to a 1h 32min flight-time saving and roughly 312 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,126 km of road and a fuel cost band around $113 USD. The initial bearing is 217° (SW), so a great-circle flight leaves Seoul heading roughly SW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Hong Kong (Hong Kong) — a city of 7,488,865 in the Hong Kong SAR region of Asia. Even though it is the longer route at 2,092 km, it remains the obvious pick when Hong Kong is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Seoul are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 2,720 km of road and a fuel cost in the $272 USD range. Departing Seoul, the great-circle bearing toward Hong Kong is 219° (SW).
Seoul (37.57°, 126.98°) and Shanghai (31.23°, 121.47°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Seoul (37.57°, 126.98°) and Hong Kong (22.32°, 114.17°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Shanghai is closer at 866 km, which is 1,226 km (59%) shorter.
866 km (538 miles). Flight: ~1h 35min.
2,092 km (1,300 miles). Flight: ~3h 7min.
Flying to Shanghai is faster at ~1h 35min, saving about 1h 32min compared to Hong Kong.
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.