Compare: Tokyo→Seoul (1,149 km) vs Tokyo→Shanghai (1,754 km). Tokyo → Seoul wins by 605 km (34%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated May 30, 2026
1,149 km
714 miles · Flight: ~1h 56min · Drive: ~18h 40min
✓ Shorter route
1,754 km
1,090 miles · Flight: ~2h 42min · Drive: ~28h 30min
Difference: 605 km (34%) · Flight time difference: ~46 min
Verdict
Tokyo → Seoul is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 605 km (34%) shorter, saves about 46 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 154 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Tokyo → Shanghai only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Tokyo → Seoul is the shorter route at 1,149 km, which is 605 km (34%) shorter than Tokyo → Shanghai. You would save approximately 46 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Tokyo → Seoul | Tokyo → Shanghai |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,149 | 1,754 |
| Distance (miles) | 714 | 1,090 |
| Flight time | ~1h 56min | ~2h 42min |
| Driving time | ~18h 40min | ~28h 30min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,494 km | ~2,280 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 284° (WNW) | 259° (W) |
| Time-zone shift | -1h | -1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~293 kg | ~447 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~255 kg | ~390 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$149 USD | ~$228 USD |
Flying from Tokyo to Seoul produces roughly 293 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Tokyo → Shanghai flight emits about 447 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 154 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 7 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 255 kg and 390 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Tokyo to Seoul route covers 1,149 km (714 miles), staying within Asia. Tokyo (population: 13,960,000) is located in Kanto, Japan, while Seoul (population: 9,776,000) is in Capital Area, South Korea.
The Tokyo to Shanghai route covers 1,754 km (1,090 miles), remaining within Asia. Tokyo (population: 13,960,000) is in Kanto, Japan, and Shanghai (population: 24,870,000) is in East China, China.
Flying from Tokyo to Seoul takes approximately 1h 56min, while Tokyo to Shanghai takes 2h 42min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 18h 40min for the first route and 28h 30min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Tokyo, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Seoul and Shanghai as a destination.
The 605 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,494 km and 2,280 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 786 km of driving.
Seoul (South Korea) has a population of 9,776,000 and is located in the Capital Area region of Asia. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Shanghai (China) has a population of 24,870,000 and is situated in East China, Asia. This major global city has multiple airports and world-class infrastructure.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Seoul (South Korea) — a city of 9,776,000 in the Capital Area region of Asia. It is also the shorter option at 1,149 km, which translates to a 46 min flight-time saving and roughly 154 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,494 km of road and a fuel cost band around $149 USD. The initial bearing is 284° (WNW), so a great-circle flight leaves Tokyo heading roughly WNW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Shanghai (China) — a city of 24,870,000 in the East China region of Asia. Even though it is the longer route at 1,754 km, it remains the obvious pick when Shanghai is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Tokyo are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 2,280 km of road and a fuel cost in the $228 USD range. Departing Tokyo, the great-circle bearing toward Shanghai is 259° (W).
Tokyo (35.68°, 139.65°) and Seoul (37.57°, 126.98°) sit with a time-zone shift of -1 hour. Tokyo (35.68°, 139.65°) and Shanghai (31.23°, 121.47°) have a -1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Seoul is closer at 1,149 km, which is 605 km (34%) shorter.
1,149 km (714 miles). Flight: ~1h 56min.
1,754 km (1,090 miles). Flight: ~2h 42min.
Flying to Seoul is faster at ~1h 56min, saving about 46 min compared to Shanghai.
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.