London, United Kingdom → Dakar, Senegal · ✈ 5h 58min · 🚗 71h 5min
2,362 nautical miles · Time difference: -1h behind · Direction: southwest
The distance from London to Dakar is 4,374 km (2,718 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 5h 58min.
The straight-line distance from London, United Kingdom to Dakar, Senegal is approximately 4,374 kilometers (2,718 miles or 2,362 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Dakar is located southwest of London. London is in Europe, in the England region of United Kingdom, while Dakar is in Africa, in Dakar, Senegal. This intercontinental route spans from Europe to Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 4,374 km | ~5h 58min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from London to Dakar. For 4,374 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
London sits at 51.5074°N, 0.1278°W, while Dakar is located at 14.7167°N, 17.4677°W. The initial compass bearing from London to Dakar is 207° (SSW), so a great-circle flight path leaves London heading roughly SSW. 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 36.79° and the longitude difference is 17.34°. 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 Dakar is approximately 33.3996°N, 10.6920°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 2,187 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.
Dakar is roughly 1 hour behind London. When it is 09:00 in London, it is approximately 08:00 in Dakar. 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.
→ See all distances from London
Dakar is a notable city in Senegal with a population of approximately 1,146,053. Situated in the Dakar region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Dakar offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Senegal.
4,374 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to crossing an ocean or continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 4,374 km between London and Dakar means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 14.6 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 5h 58min.
Combined, London and Dakar have a population of over 10,128,053 people, making this a major urban corridor.
This route crosses from Europe to Africa, spanning 1 timezone.
The straight-line distance from London to Dakar is approximately 4,374 kilometers (2,718 miles, 2,362 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 5h 58min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 71h 5min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Dakar is approximately -1h behind compared to London.
The estimated road distance is approximately 5,686 km, which is about 30% longer than the 4,374 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.