Addis Ababa, Ethiopia → London, United Kingdom · ✈ 7h 52min · 🚗 95h 50min
3,184 nautical miles · Time difference: -3h behind · Direction: northwest
The distance from Addis Ababa to London is 5,897 km (3,664 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 7h 52min.
The straight-line distance from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to London, United Kingdom is approximately 5,897 kilometers (3,664 miles or 3,184 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
London is located northwest of Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa is in Africa, in the Addis Ababa region of Ethiopia, while London is in Europe, in England, United Kingdom. This intercontinental route spans from Africa to Europe.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 5,897 km | ~7h 52min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Addis Ababa to London. For 5,897 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Addis Ababa sits at 9.0250°N, 38.7469°E, while London is located at 51.5074°N, 0.1278°W. The initial compass bearing from Addis Ababa to London is 331° (NNW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Addis Ababa heading roughly NNW. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 42.48° and the longitude difference is 38.87°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Addis Ababa and London is approximately 31.6687°N, 23.8861°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 2,949 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
London is roughly 3 hours behind Addis Ababa. When it is 09:00 in Addis Ababa, it is approximately 06:00 in London. A 3-hour shift is small enough that most travelers adjust within a day. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Addis Ababa is a major city in Ethiopia with a population of approximately 3,352,000. Located in the Addis Ababa region, it is an important hub in Africa. Addis Ababa is a significant metropolitan area in Ethiopia with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Addis Ababa
London is a notable city in United Kingdom with a population of approximately 8,982,000. Situated in the England region, it serves as a key destination in Europe. London is one of United Kingdom's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
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At 5,897 km, this is one of the longer routes on the globe, spanning from Africa to Europe. For comparison, London to Sydney is about 17,000 km — roughly half the circumference of the Earth.
At 5,897 km, Addis Ababa to London is one of the world's longer routes, covering 14.7% of Earth's circumference (40,075 km).
Combined, Addis Ababa and London have a population of over 12,334,000 people, making this a major urban corridor.
This route crosses from Africa to Europe, spanning 3 timezones.
The straight-line distance from Addis Ababa to London is approximately 5,897 kilometers (3,664 miles, 3,184 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 7h 52min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 95h 50min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
London is approximately -3h behind compared to Addis Ababa.
The estimated road distance is approximately 7,666 km, which is about 30% longer than the 5,897 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.