London, United Kingdom → New York, United States · ✈ 7h 28min · 🚗 90h 31min
3,008 nautical miles · Time difference: -5h behind · Direction: southwest
The distance from London to New York is 5,570 km (3,461 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 7h 28min.
The straight-line distance from London, United Kingdom to New York, United States is approximately 5,570 kilometers (3,461 miles or 3,008 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
New York is located southwest of London. London is in Europe, in the England region of United Kingdom, while New York is in North America, in Northeast, United States. This intercontinental route spans from Europe to North America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 5,570 km | ~7h 28min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from London to New York. For 5,570 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
London sits at 51.5074°N, 0.1278°W, while New York is located at 40.7128°N, 74.0060°W. The initial compass bearing from London to New York is 288° (WNW), so a great-circle flight path leaves London heading roughly WNW. 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 10.79° and the longitude difference is 73.88°. 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 New York is approximately 52.3684°N, 41.2903°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 2,785 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.
New York is roughly 5 hours behind London. When it is 09:00 in London, it is approximately 04:00 in New York. A time difference of 5 hours typically produces noticeable jet lag — most travelers need about one recovery day per time zone crossed. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
London uses the Pound Sterling (GBP), while New York uses the US Dollar (USD). Plan to exchange currency before departure or use a low-fee travel card on arrival — airport rates are typically the worst available. Both destinations share English as a primary language, simplifying signage, transit, and everyday interactions.
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
New York is a notable city in United States with a population of approximately 8,336,817. Situated in the Northeast region, it serves as a key destination in North America. New York is one of United States's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
→ See all distances from New York
At 5,570 km, this is one of the longer routes on the globe, spanning from Europe to North America. For comparison, London to Sydney is about 17,000 km — roughly half the circumference of the Earth.
At 5,570 km, London to New York is one of the world's longer routes, covering 13.9% of Earth's circumference (40,075 km).
Combined, London and New York have a population of over 17,318,817 people, making this a major urban corridor.
This route crosses from Europe to North America, spanning 5 timezones.
This is the world's busiest international air corridor. Over 4 million passengers fly this route annually. The fastest ever crossing was a British Airways Concorde in 2h52min in 1996.
See how the London to New York distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from London to New York is approximately 5,570 kilometers (3,461 miles, 3,008 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 7h 28min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 90h 31min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
New York is approximately -5h behind compared to London.
The estimated road distance is approximately 7,241 km, which is about 30% longer than the 5,570 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.