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

Compare: Warsaw→London (1,449 km) vs Warsaw→Vienna (556 km). Warsaw → Vienna wins by 893 km (62%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.

By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026

Warsaw → London

1,449 km

900 miles · Flight: ~2h 19min · Drive: ~23h 33min

Warsaw → Vienna

556 km

345 miles · Flight: ~1h 12min · Drive: ~9h 2min

✓ Shorter route

Difference: 893 km (62%) · Flight time difference: ~1h 7min

Verdict

Warsaw → Vienna is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 893 km (62%) shorter, saves about 1h 7min of flight time, and cuts roughly 227 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Warsaw → London only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.

Quick Answer

Warsaw → Vienna is the shorter route at 556 km, which is 893 km (62%) shorter than Warsaw → London. You would save approximately 1h 7min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Warsaw → London Warsaw → Vienna
Distance (km)1,449556
Distance (miles)900345
Flight time~2h 19min~1h 12min
Driving time~23h 33min~9h 2min
Road distance (est.)~1,884 km~723 km
Drivable?YesYes
Cross-continentalNoNo
Initial bearing275° (W)218° (SW)
Time-zone shift-1hNone
CO₂ – flight (per pax)~369 kg~142 kg
CO₂ – driving (per car)~322 kg~124 kg
Fuel cost (est.)~$188 USD~$72 USD

Carbon Footprint Comparison

Flying from Warsaw to London produces roughly 369 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Warsaw → Vienna flight emits about 142 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 227 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 11 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 322 kg and 124 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.

Route Comparison Analysis

The Warsaw to London route covers 1,449 km (900 miles), staying within Europe. Warsaw (population: 1,793,579) is located in Masovia, Poland, while London (population: 8,982,000) is in England, United Kingdom.

The Warsaw to Vienna route covers 556 km (345 miles), remaining within Europe. Warsaw (population: 1,793,579) is in Masovia, Poland, and Vienna (population: 1,911,191) is in Vienna, Austria.

Travel Time Breakdown

Flying from Warsaw to London takes approximately 2h 19min, while Warsaw to Vienna takes 1h 12min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 23h 33min for the first route and 9h 2min for the second.

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

Practical Considerations

The 893 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.

Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,884 km and 723 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 1,161 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.

Vienna (Austria) has a population of 1,911,191 and is situated in Vienna, Europe. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.

When to Choose Each Route

Pick Warsaw → 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 1,449 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 1,884 km of road and a fuel cost band around $188 USD. The initial bearing is 275° (W), so a great-circle flight leaves Warsaw heading roughly W.

Pick Warsaw → Vienna when…

This route is the right call if you are heading to Vienna (Austria) — a city of 1,911,191 in the Vienna region of Europe. It is also the shorter of the two at 556 km, saving about 1h 7min of flying and around 227 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 723 km of road and a fuel cost in the $72 USD range. Departing Warsaw, the great-circle bearing toward Vienna is 218° (SW).

Bearings, Time Zones & Geography

Warsaw (52.23°, 21.01°) and London (51.51°, -0.13°) sit with a time-zone shift of -1 hour. Warsaw (52.23°, 21.01°) and Vienna (48.21°, 16.37°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is closer: London or Vienna?

Vienna is closer at 556 km, which is 893 km (62%) shorter.

How far is Warsaw to London?

1,449 km (900 miles). Flight: ~2h 19min.

How far is Warsaw to Vienna?

556 km (345 miles). Flight: ~1h 12min.

Is it faster to fly to London or Vienna?

Flying to Vienna is faster at ~1h 12min, saving about 1h 7min 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: April 21, 2026.