Compare: Warsaw→Kraków (252 km) vs Warsaw→Gdansk (284 km). Warsaw → Kraków wins by 32 km (11%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
252 km
157 miles · Flight: ~49 min · Drive: ~4h 6min
✓ Shorter route
284 km
176 miles · Flight: ~51 min · Drive: ~4h 37min
Difference: 32 km (11%) · Flight time difference: ~2 min
Verdict
Warsaw → Kraków is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 32 km (11%) shorter, saves about 2 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 8 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Warsaw → Gdansk only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Warsaw → Kraków is the shorter route at 252 km, which is 32 km (11%) shorter than Warsaw → Gdansk. You would save approximately 2 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Warsaw → Kraków | Warsaw → Gdansk |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 252 | 284 |
| Distance (miles) | 157 | 176 |
| Flight time | ~49 min | ~51 min |
| Driving time | ~4h 6min | ~4h 37min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~328 km | ~369 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 198° (SSW) | 327° (NNW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~64 kg | ~72 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~56 kg | ~63 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$33 USD | ~$37 USD |
Flying from Warsaw to Kraków produces roughly 64 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Warsaw → Gdansk flight emits about 72 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 56 kg and 63 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Warsaw to Kraków route covers 252 km (157 miles), staying within Europe. Warsaw (population: 1,793,579) is located in Masovia, Poland, while Kraków (population: 779,115) is in Lesser Poland, Poland.
The Warsaw to Gdansk route covers 284 km (176 miles), remaining within Europe. Warsaw (population: 1,793,579) is in Masovia, Poland, and Gdansk (population: 470,907) is in Pomerania, Poland.
Flying from Warsaw to Kraków takes approximately 49 min, while Warsaw to Gdansk takes 51 min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 4h 6min for the first route and 4h 37min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Warsaw, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Kraków and Gdansk as a destination.
The 32 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 328 km and 369 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 41 km of driving.
Kraków (Poland) has a population of 779,115 and is located in the Lesser Poland region of Europe. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Gdansk (Poland) has a population of 470,907 and is situated in Pomerania, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Kraków (Poland) — a city of 779,115 in the Lesser Poland region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 252 km, which translates to a 2 min flight-time saving and roughly 8 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 328 km of road and a fuel cost band around $33 USD. The initial bearing is 198° (SSW), so a great-circle flight leaves Warsaw heading roughly SSW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Gdansk (Poland) — a city of 470,907 in the Pomerania region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 284 km, it remains the obvious pick when Gdansk is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Warsaw are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 369 km of road and a fuel cost in the $37 USD range. Departing Warsaw, the great-circle bearing toward Gdansk is 327° (NNW).
Warsaw (52.23°, 21.01°) and Kraków (50.06°, 19.95°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Warsaw (52.23°, 21.01°) and Gdansk (54.35°, 18.65°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Kraków is closer at 252 km, which is 32 km (11%) shorter.
252 km (157 miles). Flight: ~49 min.
284 km (176 miles). Flight: ~51 min.
Flying to Kraków is faster at ~49 min, saving about 2 min compared to Gdansk.
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.