London, United Kingdom → Addis Ababa, Ethiopia · ✈ 7h 52min · 🚗 95h 50min
3,184 nautical miles · Time difference: +3h ahead · Direction: southeast
The distance from London to Addis Ababa 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 London, United Kingdom to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 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.
Addis Ababa is located southeast of London. London is in Europe, in the England region of United Kingdom, while Addis Ababa is in Africa, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This intercontinental route spans from Europe to Africa.
| 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 London to Addis Ababa. For 5,897 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
London sits at 51.5074°N, 0.1278°W, while Addis Ababa is located at 9.0250°N, 38.7469°E. The initial compass bearing from London to Addis Ababa is 129° (SE), so a great-circle flight path leaves London heading roughly SE. 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 London and Addis Ababa 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.
Addis Ababa is roughly 3 hours ahead of London. When it is 09:00 in London, it is approximately 12:00 in Addis Ababa. 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.
London is a major city in United Kingdom with a population of approximately 8,982,000. Located in the England region, it is an important hub in Europe. As one of the largest cities in United Kingdom, London is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
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Addis Ababa is a notable city in Ethiopia with a population of approximately 3,352,000. Situated in the Addis Ababa region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Addis Ababa offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Ethiopia.
→ See all distances from Addis Ababa
At 5,897 km, this is one of the longer routes on the globe, spanning from Europe to Africa. For comparison, London to Sydney is about 17,000 km — roughly half the circumference of the Earth.
At 5,897 km, London to Addis Ababa is one of the world's longer routes, covering 14.7% of Earth's circumference (40,075 km).
Combined, London and Addis Ababa have a population of over 12,334,000 people, making this a major urban corridor.
This route crosses from Europe to Africa, spanning 3 timezones.
The straight-line distance from London to Addis Ababa 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.
Addis Ababa is approximately +3h ahead compared to London.
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: May 30, 2026.