Recife, Brazil → Salvador, Brazil · ✈ 1h 21min · 🚗 10h 59min
365 nautical miles · Time difference: -1h behind · Direction: southwest
The distance from Recife to Salvador is 676 km (420 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 1h 21min.
The straight-line distance from Recife, Brazil to Salvador, Brazil is approximately 676 kilometers (420 miles or 365 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Salvador is located southwest of Recife. Recife is in South America, in the Northeast region of Brazil, while Salvador is in South America, in Northeast, Brazil. Both cities are in South America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 676 km | ~1h 21min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~879 km | ~10h 59min | Feasible with breaks |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~811 km | ~6h 46min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Recife to Salvador. For 676 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 879 km, fuel costs for driving from Recife to Salvador are approximately $70–$132 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Recife sits at 8.0476°S, 34.8770°W, while Salvador is located at 12.9714°S, 38.5124°W. The initial compass bearing from Recife to Salvador is 216° (SW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Recife heading roughly SW. 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 4.92° and the longitude difference is 3.64°. 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 Recife and Salvador is approximately 10.5147°S, 36.6802°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 338 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Salvador is roughly 1 hour behind Recife. When it is 09:00 in Recife, it is approximately 08:00 in Salvador. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Recife is a major city in Brazil with a population of approximately 1,653,461. Located in the Northeast region, it is an important hub in South America. Recife is a significant metropolitan area in Brazil with good domestic and international transport connections.
Salvador is a notable city in Brazil with a population of approximately 2,886,698. Situated in the Northeast region, it serves as a key destination in South America. Salvador offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Brazil.
676 km is a medium-distance route, similar to traveling across a mid-sized European country. A flight covers this distance quickly, but driving or rail travel remains feasible for those who prefer ground transport. For reference, New York to Chicago is about 1,150 km.
At 676 km, the Recife-Salvador route is about 1.7% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 21min.
The straight-line distance from Recife to Salvador is approximately 676 kilometers (420 miles, 365 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 21min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 10h 59min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Salvador is approximately -1h behind compared to Recife.
The estimated road distance is approximately 879 km, which is about 30% longer than the 676 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.