Vienna → London vs Vienna → Paris: Which Is Closer?

Compare: Vienna→London (1,235 km) vs Vienna→Paris (1,033 km). Vienna → Paris wins by 202 km (16%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.

By SnapDistance Team · Updated May 30, 2026

Vienna → London

1,235 km

767 miles · Flight: ~2h 3min · Drive: ~20h 4min

Vienna → Paris

1,033 km

642 miles · Flight: ~1h 47min · Drive: ~16h 47min

✓ Shorter route

Difference: 202 km (16%) · Flight time difference: ~16 min

Verdict

Vienna → Paris is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 202 km (16%) shorter, saves about 16 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 52 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Vienna → London only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.

Quick Answer

Vienna → Paris is the shorter route at 1,033 km, which is 202 km (16%) shorter than Vienna → London. You would save approximately 16 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Vienna → London Vienna → Paris
Distance (km)1,2351,033
Distance (miles)767642
Flight time~2h 3min~1h 47min
Driving time~20h 4min~16h 47min
Road distance (est.)~1,606 km~1,343 km
Drivable?YesYes
Cross-continentalNoNo
Initial bearing293° (WNW)279° (W)
Time-zone shift-1h-1h
CO₂ – flight (per pax)~315 kg~263 kg
CO₂ – driving (per car)~275 kg~230 kg
Fuel cost (est.)~$161 USD~$134 USD

Carbon Footprint Comparison

Flying from Vienna to London produces roughly 315 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Vienna → Paris flight emits about 263 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 52 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 2 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 275 kg and 230 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.

Route Comparison Analysis

The Vienna to London route covers 1,235 km (767 miles), staying within Europe. Vienna (population: 1,911,191) is located in Vienna, Austria, while London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.

The Vienna to Paris route covers 1,033 km (642 miles), remaining within Europe. Vienna (population: 1,911,191) is in Vienna, Austria, and Paris (population: 2,161,000) is in Île-de-France, France.

Travel Time Breakdown

Flying from Vienna to London takes approximately 2h 3min, while Vienna to Paris takes 1h 47min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 20h 4min for the first route and 16h 47min for the second.

Since both routes depart from Vienna, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between London and Paris as a destination.

Practical Considerations

The 202 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 1,606 km and 1,343 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 263 km of driving.

Destination Overview

London (United Kingdom) has a population of 8,982,000 and is located in the England region of Europe. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.

Paris (France) has a population of 2,161,000 and is situated in Île-de-France, Europe. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.

When to Choose Each Route

Pick Vienna → London when…

Choose this route if your priority is reaching London (United Kingdom) — a city of 8,982,000 in the England region of Europe. Despite being the longer of the two at 1,235 km, it makes sense when London itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,606 km of road and a fuel cost band around $161 USD. The initial bearing is 293° (WNW), so a great-circle flight leaves Vienna heading roughly WNW.

Pick Vienna → Paris when…

This route is the right call if you are heading to Paris (France) — a city of 2,161,000 in the Île-de-France region of Europe. It is also the shorter of the two at 1,033 km, saving about 16 min of flying and around 52 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 1,343 km of road and a fuel cost in the $134 USD range. Departing Vienna, the great-circle bearing toward Paris is 279° (W).

Bearings, Time Zones & Geography

Vienna (48.21°, 16.37°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) sit with a time-zone shift of -1 hour. Vienna (48.21°, 16.37°) and Paris (48.86°, 2.35°) have a -1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is closer: London or Paris?

Paris is closer at 1,033 km, which is 202 km (16%) shorter.

How far is Vienna to London?

1,235 km (767 miles). Flight: ~2h 3min.

How far is Vienna to Paris?

1,033 km (642 miles). Flight: ~1h 47min.

Is it faster to fly to London or Paris?

Flying to Paris is faster at ~1h 47min, saving about 16 min compared to London.

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How We Calculate Distance

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.

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📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: May 30, 2026.