Compare: Stockholm→Copenhagen (522 km) vs Stockholm→Helsinki (396 km). Stockholm → Helsinki wins by 126 km (24%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
522 km
324 miles · Flight: ~1h 9min · Drive: ~8h 29min
396 km
246 miles · Flight: ~1h · Drive: ~6h 26min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 126 km (24%) · Flight time difference: ~9 min
Verdict
Stockholm → Helsinki is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 126 km (24%) shorter, saves about 9 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 32 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Stockholm → Copenhagen only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Stockholm → Helsinki is the shorter route at 396 km, which is 126 km (24%) shorter than Stockholm → Copenhagen. You would save approximately 9 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Stockholm → Copenhagen | Stockholm → Helsinki |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 522 | 396 |
| Distance (miles) | 324 | 246 |
| Flight time | ~1h 9min | ~1h |
| Driving time | ~8h 29min | ~6h 26min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~679 km | ~515 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 221° (SW) | 73° (ENE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | +1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~133 kg | ~101 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~116 kg | ~88 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$68 USD | ~$52 USD |
Flying from Stockholm to Copenhagen produces roughly 133 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Stockholm → Helsinki flight emits about 101 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 32 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 2 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 116 kg and 88 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Stockholm to Copenhagen route covers 522 km (324 miles), staying within Europe. Stockholm (population: 975,904) is located in Stockholm, Sweden, while Copenhagen (population: 794,128) is in Capital Region, Denmark.
The Stockholm to Helsinki route covers 396 km (246 miles), remaining within Europe. Stockholm (population: 975,904) is in Stockholm, Sweden, and Helsinki (population: 656,229) is in Uusimaa, Finland.
Flying from Stockholm to Copenhagen takes approximately 1h 9min, while Stockholm to Helsinki takes 1h. If driving is an option, expect roughly 8h 29min for the first route and 6h 26min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Stockholm, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Copenhagen and Helsinki as a destination.
The 126 km difference between these routes is noticeable in both travel time and fuel or ticket costs.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 679 km and 515 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 164 km of driving.
Copenhagen (Denmark) has a population of 794,128 and is located in the Capital Region region of Europe. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Helsinki (Finland) has a population of 656,229 and is situated in Uusimaa, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Copenhagen (Denmark) — a city of 794,128 in the Capital Region region of Europe. Despite being the longer of the two at 522 km, it makes sense when Copenhagen itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 679 km of road and a fuel cost band around $68 USD. The initial bearing is 221° (SW), so a great-circle flight leaves Stockholm heading roughly SW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Helsinki (Finland) — a city of 656,229 in the Uusimaa region of Europe. It is also the shorter of the two at 396 km, saving about 9 min of flying and around 32 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 515 km of road and a fuel cost in the $52 USD range. Departing Stockholm, the great-circle bearing toward Helsinki is 73° (ENE).
Stockholm (59.33°, 18.07°) and Copenhagen (55.68°, 12.57°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Stockholm (59.33°, 18.07°) and Helsinki (60.17°, 24.94°) have a +1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Helsinki is closer at 396 km, which is 126 km (24%) shorter.
522 km (324 miles). Flight: ~1h 9min.
396 km (246 miles). Flight: ~1h.
Flying to Helsinki is faster at ~1h, saving about 9 min compared to Copenhagen.
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.