The short answer
Helicopter journeys between major UK cities typically take between about 30 and 120 minutes, from Birmingham to Manchester (about 30 to 35 minutes) to London to Newcastle (about 95 to 120 minutes). On every route the flight takes roughly a quarter to a third of the free-flowing road time, and the saving ranges from about 1 hour 29 minutes to 4 hours 11 minutes each way.
Want a price for this? Tell us where and when; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Routes compared
- 35 city-to-city routes across England, Wales and Scotland
- Helicopter time
- Block time = distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range
- Car time
- Free-flowing road time: a floor, not a forecast
- Shortest flight
- Birmingham to Manchester, about 30 to 35 minutes
- Longest flight
- London to Newcastle, about 95 to 120 minutes
- Biggest saving
- London to Newcastle, about 4 hours 11 minutes each way
The thirteen featured routes on the map
Each line joins the two city points. Pins with a city page are links.
The map draws a satellite picture, so it needs JavaScript and an internet connection. The routes are listed in the table below.
Map
Choose a place
Hover, or tap, a pin for the details
How the comparison works
Every one of these UK helicopter routes is measured the same way. We take the straight-line distance between the two cities, convert it into a helicopter block time, and set it against the free-flowing road time between the same two points. We then show the difference. Because we use one method everywhere, you can compare one route with another and trust that the gaps are real.
Charter-A Helicopter is the helicopter charter service of Charter-A Ltd, which has arranged private flights across the UK and Europe since 2011. We publish the comparison because the question we hear most from new clients is how much time a helicopter actually saves, and a clear answer helps you decide whether it is worth it. Our article on helicopter against car journey times goes into the reasoning in more detail.
Our main city routes at a glance
The figures below are the headline pairs. Each page goes into the airfields at each end, what the flight is like, who uses it, and a worked there-and-back day.
- London to Manchester about 60 to 75 minutes by helicopter, at least 4 hours 9 minutes by road (193 miles), a typical saving of 3 hours 1 minute each way.
- London to Birmingham about 40 to 50 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 26 minutes by road (117 miles), a typical saving of 1 hour 41 minutes each way.
- London to Leeds about 70 to 85 minutes by helicopter, at least 4 hours 17 minutes by road (211 miles), a typical saving of 2 hours 59 minutes each way.
- London to Liverpool about 65 to 85 minutes by helicopter, at least 4 hours 15 minutes by road (211 miles), a typical saving of 3 hours each way.
- London to Newcastle about 95 to 120 minutes by helicopter, at least 5 hours 59 minutes by road (297 miles), a typical saving of 4 hours 11 minutes each way.
- London to Bristol about 45 to 55 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 43 minutes by road (126 miles), a typical saving of 1 hour 53 minutes each way.
- Birmingham to Manchester about 30 to 35 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 2 minutes by road (85 miles), a typical saving of 1 hour 29 minutes each way.
- Manchester to Edinburgh about 70 to 90 minutes by helicopter, at least 4 hours 40 minutes by road (230 miles), a typical saving of 3 hours 20 minutes each way.
- Bristol to Birmingham about 35 to 45 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 11 minutes by road (104 miles), a typical saving of 1 hour 31 minutes each way.
- Leeds to Newcastle about 35 to 45 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 21 minutes by road (103 miles), a typical saving of 1 hour 41 minutes each way.
- Birmingham to Leeds about 40 to 50 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 36 minutes by road (128 miles), a typical saving of 1 hour 51 minutes each way.
- Liverpool to Birmingham about 35 to 40 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 9 minutes by road (105 miles), a typical saving of 1 hour 31 minutes each way.
- Newcastle to Edinburgh about 40 to 50 minutes by helicopter, at least 2 hours 53 minutes by road (113 miles), a typical saving of 2 hours 8 minutes each way.
The sortable table on this page shows the same figures and lets you order them by distance, helicopter time, road time or saving.
Every route, sortable and searchable
All pairs of the cities, venues and airports we compare, from our route data. Search for a place, filter by area or select a heading to sort.
276 routes. Select a heading to sort. Routes with their own page are links.
| London to Birmingham | 83 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 26 min | 1 h 41 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London to Manchester | 137 nm | 60 to 75 min | 4 h 09 min | 3 h 01 min |
| London to Leeds | 154 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 17 min | 2 h 59 min |
| London to Edinburgh | 292 nm | 2 h 05 min to 2 h 35 min | 7 h 57 min | 5 h 37 min |
| London to Glasgow | 304 nm | 2 h 10 min to 2 h 40 min | 7 h 49 min | 5 h 24 min |
| London to Newcastle | 221 nm | 1 h 35 min to 2 h | 5 h 59 min | 4 h 11 min |
| London to Bristol | 95 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 43 min | 1 h 53 min |
| London to Cardiff | 119 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 21 min | 2 h 18 min |
| London to Southampton | 54 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 39 min | 1 h 06 min |
| London to Norwich | 90 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 53 min | 2 h 03 min |
| London to Cambridge | 46 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 46 min | 1 h 18 min |
| London to Oxford | 48 nm | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 30 min | 1 h |
| London to Liverpool | 149 nm | 65 to 85 min | 4 h 15 min | 3 h |
| London to Silverstone | 48 nm | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 49 min | 1 h 19 min |
| London to Ascot Racecourse | 19 nm | 15 to 20 min | 51 min | 33 min |
| London to Cheltenham Racecourse | 75 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 15 min | 1 h 35 min |
| London to Goodwood | 43 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 28 min | 1 h |
| London to Newmarket Racecourse | 51 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 44 min | 1 h 11 min |
| London to York Racecourse | 153 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 10 min | 2 h 52 min |
| London to Aintree Racecourse | 157 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 17 min | 2 h 59 min |
| London to Epsom Downs | 10 nm | 10 to 15 min | 33 min | 20 min |
| London to London Heathrow | 11 nm | 10 to 15 min | 34 min | 21 min |
| London to London Gatwick | 19 nm | 15 to 20 min | 57 min | 39 min |
| Birmingham to Manchester | 57 nm | 30 to 35 min | 2 h 02 min | 1 h 29 min |
| Birmingham to Leeds | 85 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 36 min | 1 h 51 min |
| Birmingham to Edinburgh | 218 nm | 95 to 115 min | 5 h 50 min | 4 h 05 min |
| Birmingham to Glasgow | 226 nm | 1 h 40 min to 2 h | 5 h 42 min | 3 h 52 min |
| Birmingham to Newcastle | 155 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 18 min | 3 h |
| Bristol to Birmingham | 74 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 11 min | 1 h 31 min |
| Birmingham to Cardiff | 87 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 38 min | 1 h 53 min |
| Birmingham to Southampton | 91 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 34 min | 1 h 44 min |
| Birmingham to Norwich | 111 nm | 50 to 65 min | 3 h 08 min | 2 h 10 min |
| Birmingham to Cambridge | 72 nm | 35 to 45 min | 1 h 54 min | 1 h 14 min |
| Birmingham to Oxford | 40 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 21 min | 53 min |
| Liverpool to Birmingham | 66 nm | 35 to 40 min | 2 h 09 min | 1 h 31 min |
| Birmingham to Silverstone | 35 nm | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 17 min | 54 min |
| Birmingham to Ascot Racecourse | 74 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 04 min | 1 h 24 min |
| Birmingham to Cheltenham Racecourse | 34 nm | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 13 min | 50 min |
| Birmingham to Goodwood | 103 nm | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 08 min | 2 h 13 min |
| Birmingham to Newmarket Racecourse | 80 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 01 min | 1 h 16 min |
| Birmingham to York Racecourse | 93 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 29 min | 1 h 39 min |
| Birmingham to Aintree Racecourse | 75 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 10 min | 1 h 30 min |
| Birmingham to Epsom Downs | 88 nm | 40 to 55 min | 2 h 28 min | 1 h 40 min |
| Birmingham to London Heathrow | 76 nm | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 02 min | 1 h 19 min |
| Birmingham to London Gatwick | 97 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 43 min | 1 h 53 min |
| Manchester to Leeds | 38 nm | 20 to 30 min | 1 h 37 min | 1 h 12 min |
| Manchester to Edinburgh | 161 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 40 min | 3 h 20 min |
| Manchester to Glasgow | 169 nm | 75 to 95 min | 4 h 33 min | 3 h 08 min |
| Manchester to Newcastle | 103 nm | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 43 min | 2 h 48 min |
| Manchester to Bristol | 120 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 35 min | 2 h 32 min |
| Manchester to Cardiff | 124 nm | 55 to 70 min | 4 h 02 min | 2 h 59 min |
| Manchester to Southampton | 148 nm | 65 to 85 min | 4 h 18 min | 3 h 03 min |
| Manchester to Norwich | 135 nm | 60 to 75 min | 4 h 36 min | 3 h 28 min |
| Manchester to Cambridge | 113 nm | 50 to 65 min | 3 h 31 min | 2 h 33 min |
| Manchester to Oxford | 98 nm | 45 to 55 min | 3 h 06 min | 2 h 16 min |
| Manchester to Liverpool | 21 nm | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 04 min | 46 min |
| Manchester to Silverstone | 89 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 55 min | 2 h 05 min |
| Manchester to Ascot Racecourse | 131 nm | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 49 min | 2 h 41 min |
| Manchester to Cheltenham Racecourse | 87 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 37 min | 1 h 52 min |
| Manchester to Goodwood | 160 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 53 min | 3 h 33 min |
| Manchester to Newmarket Racecourse | 118 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 39 min | 2 h 36 min |
| Manchester to York Racecourse | 55 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 54 min | 1 h 21 min |
| Manchester to Aintree Racecourse | 25 nm | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 06 min | 48 min |
| Manchester to Epsom Downs | 143 nm | 65 to 80 min | 4 h 12 min | 2 h 59 min |
| Manchester to London Heathrow | 131 nm | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 47 min | 2 h 39 min |
| Manchester to London Gatwick | 153 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 28 min | 3 h 10 min |
| Leeds to Edinburgh | 138 nm | 65 to 80 min | 4 h 25 min | 3 h 12 min |
| Leeds to Glasgow | 154 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 18 min | 3 h |
| Leeds to Newcastle | 70 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 21 min | 1 h 41 min |
| Leeds to Bristol | 154 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 28 min | 3 h 10 min |
| Leeds to Cardiff | 160 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 56 min | 3 h 36 min |
| Leeds to Southampton | 175 nm | 75 to 95 min | 4 h 43 min | 3 h 18 min |
| Leeds to Norwich | 128 nm | 60 to 70 min | 3 h 57 min | 2 h 52 min |
| Leeds to Cambridge | 120 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 12 min | 2 h 09 min |
| Leeds to Oxford | 122 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 30 min | 2 h 27 min |
| Leeds to Liverpool | 53 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 41 min | 1 h 08 min |
| Leeds to Silverstone | 110 nm | 50 to 65 min | 3 h 02 min | 2 h 04 min |
| Leeds to Ascot Racecourse | 152 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 11 min | 2 h 53 min |
| Leeds to Cheltenham Racecourse | 118 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 30 min | 2 h 27 min |
| Leeds to Goodwood | 184 nm | 80 to 100 min | 5 h 04 min | 3 h 34 min |
| Leeds to Newmarket Racecourse | 123 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 20 min | 2 h 17 min |
| Leeds to York Racecourse | 21 nm | 15 to 20 min | 49 min | 31 min |
| Leeds to Aintree Racecourse | 51 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 41 min | 1 h 08 min |
| Leeds to Epsom Downs | 162 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 23 min | 3 h 03 min |
| Leeds to London Heathrow | 150 nm | 65 to 85 min | 3 h 58 min | 2 h 43 min |
| Leeds to London Gatwick | 172 nm | 75 to 95 min | 4 h 39 min | 3 h 14 min |
| Edinburgh to Glasgow | 36 nm | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 04 min | 41 min |
| Newcastle to Edinburgh | 79 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 53 min | 2 h 08 min |
| Edinburgh to Bristol | 275 nm | 1 h 55 min to 2 h 25 min | 7 h 23 min | 5 h 13 min |
| Edinburgh to Cardiff | 273 nm | 1 h 55 min to 2 h 25 min | 7 h 51 min | 5 h 41 min |
| Edinburgh to Southampton | 309 nm | 2 h 10 min to 2 h 45 min | 8 h 07 min | 5 h 39 min |
| Edinburgh to Norwich | 255 nm | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 15 min | 7 h 40 min | 5 h 37 min |
| Edinburgh to Cambridge | 257 nm | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 15 min | 6 h 55 min | 4 h 52 min |
| Edinburgh to Oxford | 257 nm | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 15 min | 6 h 54 min | 4 h 51 min |
| Edinburgh to Liverpool | 158 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 34 min | 3 h 14 min |
| Edinburgh to Silverstone | 247 nm | 1 h 45 min to 2 h 10 min | 6 h 44 min | 4 h 46 min |
| Edinburgh to Ascot Racecourse | 289 nm | 2 h 05 min to 2 h 35 min | 7 h 37 min | 5 h 17 min |
| Edinburgh to Cheltenham Racecourse | 247 nm | 1 h 45 min to 2 h 10 min | 6 h 25 min | 4 h 27 min |
| Edinburgh to Goodwood | 320 nm | 2 h 15 min to 2 h 50 min | 8 h 41 min | 6 h 08 min |
| Edinburgh to Newmarket Racecourse | 259 nm | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 20 min | 7 h 02 min | 4 h 57 min |
| Edinburgh to York Racecourse | 144 nm | 65 to 80 min | 4 h 20 min | 3 h 07 min |
| Edinburgh to Aintree Racecourse | 149 nm | 65 to 85 min | 4 h 15 min | 3 h |
| Edinburgh to Epsom Downs | 300 nm | 2 h 05 min to 2 h 40 min | 8 h | 5 h 37 min |
| Edinburgh to London Heathrow | 288 nm | 2 h to 2 h 30 min | 7 h 35 min | 5 h 20 min |
| Edinburgh to London Gatwick | 310 nm | 2 h 10 min to 2 h 45 min | 8 h 16 min | 5 h 48 min |
| Glasgow to Newcastle | 106 nm | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 25 min | 2 h 30 min |
| Glasgow to Bristol | 276 nm | 2 h to 2 h 25 min | 7 h 15 min | 5 h 02 min |
| Glasgow to Cardiff | 272 nm | 1 h 55 min to 2 h 25 min | 7 h 43 min | 5 h 33 min |
| Glasgow to Southampton | 315 nm | 2 h 15 min to 2 h 45 min | 7 h 59 min | 5 h 29 min |
| Glasgow to Norwich | 277 nm | 2 h to 2 h 25 min | 7 h 32 min | 5 h 19 min |
| Glasgow to Cambridge | 274 nm | 1 h 55 min to 2 h 25 min | 6 h 47 min | 4 h 37 min |
| Glasgow to Oxford | 266 nm | 1 h 55 min to 2 h 20 min | 6 h 46 min | 4 h 38 min |
| Glasgow to Liverpool | 162 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 26 min | 3 h 06 min |
| Glasgow to Silverstone | 258 nm | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 15 min | 6 h 36 min | 4 h 33 min |
| Glasgow to Ascot Racecourse | 299 nm | 2 h 05 min to 2 h 40 min | 7 h 29 min | 5 h 06 min |
| Glasgow to Cheltenham Racecourse | 252 nm | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 15 min | 6 h 17 min | 4 h 14 min |
| Glasgow to Goodwood | 329 nm | 2 h 20 min to 2 h 50 min | 8 h 33 min | 5 h 58 min |
| Glasgow to Newmarket Racecourse | 277 nm | 2 h to 2 h 25 min | 6 h 54 min | 4 h 41 min |
| Glasgow to York Racecourse | 163 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 13 min | 2 h 53 min |
| Glasgow to Aintree Racecourse | 153 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 07 min | 2 h 49 min |
| Glasgow to Epsom Downs | 311 nm | 2 h 10 min to 2 h 45 min | 7 h 52 min | 5 h 24 min |
| Glasgow to London Heathrow | 300 nm | 2 h 05 min to 2 h 40 min | 7 h 27 min | 5 h 04 min |
| Glasgow to London Gatwick | 321 nm | 2 h 15 min to 2 h 50 min | 8 h 08 min | 5 h 35 min |
| Newcastle to Bristol | 223 nm | 1 h 35 min to 2 h | 6 h 10 min | 4 h 22 min |
| Newcastle to Cardiff | 227 nm | 1 h 40 min to 2 h | 6 h 38 min | 4 h 48 min |
| Newcastle to Southampton | 246 nm | 1 h 45 min to 2 h 10 min | 6 h 25 min | 4 h 27 min |
| Newcastle to Norwich | 177 nm | 80 to 95 min | 5 h 33 min | 4 h 05 min |
| Newcastle to Cambridge | 183 nm | 80 to 100 min | 4 h 48 min | 3 h 18 min |
| Newcastle to Oxford | 193 nm | 85 to 105 min | 5 h 12 min | 3 h 37 min |
| Newcastle to Liverpool | 110 nm | 50 to 65 min | 3 h 46 min | 2 h 48 min |
| Newcastle to Silverstone | 179 nm | 80 to 100 min | 4 h 44 min | 3 h 14 min |
| Newcastle to Ascot Racecourse | 221 nm | 1 h 35 min to 2 h | 5 h 53 min | 4 h 05 min |
| Newcastle to Cheltenham Racecourse | 188 nm | 80 to 100 min | 5 h 13 min | 3 h 43 min |
| Newcastle to Goodwood | 253 nm | 1 h 50 min to 2 h 15 min | 6 h 46 min | 4 h 43 min |
| Newcastle to Newmarket Racecourse | 184 nm | 80 to 100 min | 4 h 55 min | 3 h 25 min |
| Newcastle to York Racecourse | 69 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 14 min | 1 h 34 min |
| Newcastle to Aintree Racecourse | 104 nm | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 35 min | 2 h 40 min |
| Newcastle to Epsom Downs | 230 nm | 1 h 40 min to 2 h 05 min | 6 h 05 min | 4 h 12 min |
| Newcastle to London Heathrow | 219 nm | 1 h 35 min to 2 h | 5 h 40 min | 3 h 52 min |
| Newcastle to London Gatwick | 240 nm | 1 h 45 min to 2 h 10 min | 6 h 21 min | 4 h 23 min |
| Bristol to Cardiff | 23 nm | 15 to 20 min | 1 h 29 min | 1 h 11 min |
| Bristol to Southampton | 58 nm | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 03 min | 1 h 28 min |
| Bristol to Norwich | 167 nm | 75 to 90 min | 4 h 49 min | 3 h 26 min |
| Bristol to Cambridge | 118 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 38 min | 2 h 35 min |
| Bristol to Oxford | 59 nm | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 59 min | 1 h 24 min |
| Bristol to Liverpool | 117 nm | 55 to 65 min | 3 h 41 min | 2 h 41 min |
| Bristol to Silverstone | 76 nm | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 26 min | 1 h 43 min |
| Bristol to Ascot Racecourse | 77 nm | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 06 min | 1 h 23 min |
| Bristol to Cheltenham Racecourse | 40 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 14 min | 46 min |
| Bristol to Goodwood | 81 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 38 min | 1 h 53 min |
| Bristol to Newmarket Racecourse | 127 nm | 60 to 70 min | 3 h 40 min | 2 h 35 min |
| Bristol to York Racecourse | 165 nm | 75 to 90 min | 4 h 23 min | 3 h |
| Bristol to Aintree Racecourse | 126 nm | 60 to 70 min | 3 h 43 min | 2 h 38 min |
| Bristol to Epsom Downs | 92 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 39 min | 1 h 49 min |
| Bristol to London Heathrow | 85 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 18 min | 1 h 33 min |
| Bristol to London Gatwick | 96 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 55 min | 2 h 05 min |
| Cardiff to Southampton | 79 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 57 min | 2 h 12 min |
| Cardiff to Norwich | 187 nm | 80 to 100 min | 5 h 28 min | 3 h 58 min |
| Cardiff to Cambridge | 139 nm | 65 to 80 min | 4 h 14 min | 3 h 01 min |
| Cardiff to Oxford | 80 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 38 min | 1 h 53 min |
| Cardiff to Liverpool | 118 nm | 55 to 70 min | 4 h 08 min | 3 h 05 min |
| Cardiff to Silverstone | 96 nm | 45 to 55 min | 3 h 04 min | 2 h 14 min |
| Cardiff to Ascot Racecourse | 100 nm | 45 to 60 min | 2 h 45 min | 1 h 52 min |
| Cardiff to Cheltenham Racecourse | 57 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 47 min | 1 h 14 min |
| Cardiff to Goodwood | 103 nm | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 33 min | 2 h 38 min |
| Cardiff to Newmarket Racecourse | 148 nm | 65 to 85 min | 4 h 19 min | 3 h 04 min |
| Cardiff to York Racecourse | 174 nm | 75 to 95 min | 4 h 50 min | 3 h 25 min |
| Cardiff to Aintree Racecourse | 126 nm | 60 to 70 min | 4 h 10 min | 3 h 05 min |
| Cardiff to Epsom Downs | 116 nm | 55 to 65 min | 3 h 18 min | 2 h 18 min |
| Cardiff to London Heathrow | 108 nm | 50 to 65 min | 2 h 57 min | 1 h 59 min |
| Cardiff to London Gatwick | 119 nm | 55 to 70 min | 3 h 34 min | 2 h 31 min |
| Southampton to Norwich | 143 nm | 65 to 80 min | 3 h 46 min | 2 h 33 min |
| Southampton to Cambridge | 95 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 35 min | 1 h 45 min |
| Southampton to Oxford | 53 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 26 min | 53 min |
| Southampton to Liverpool | 153 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 21 min | 3 h 03 min |
| Southampton to Silverstone | 69 nm | 35 to 45 min | 1 h 53 min | 1 h 13 min |
| Southampton to Ascot Racecourse | 38 nm | 20 to 30 min | 1 h 02 min | 37 min |
| Southampton to Cheltenham Racecourse | 64 nm | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 55 min | 1 h 17 min |
| Southampton to Goodwood | 24 nm | 15 to 20 min | 41 min | 23 min |
| Southampton to Newmarket Racecourse | 102 nm | 50 to 60 min | 2 h 37 min | 1 h 42 min |
| Southampton to York Racecourse | 180 nm | 80 to 100 min | 4 h 34 min | 3 h 04 min |
| Southampton to Aintree Racecourse | 163 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 22 min | 3 h 02 min |
| Southampton to Epsom Downs | 47 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 26 min | 58 min |
| Southampton to London Heathrow | 46 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 16 min | 48 min |
| Southampton to London Gatwick | 46 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 34 min | 1 h 06 min |
| Norwich to Cambridge | 49 nm | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 26 min | 56 min |
| Norwich to Oxford | 108 nm | 50 to 65 min | 3 h 16 min | 2 h 18 min |
| Norwich to Liverpool | 154 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 51 min | 3 h 33 min |
| Norwich to Silverstone | 92 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 48 min | 1 h 58 min |
| Norwich to Ascot Racecourse | 105 nm | 50 to 60 min | 2 h 57 min | 2 h 02 min |
| Norwich to Cheltenham Racecourse | 131 nm | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 51 min | 2 h 43 min |
| Norwich to Goodwood | 133 nm | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 50 min | 2 h 42 min |
| Norwich to Newmarket Racecourse | 42 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 12 min | 44 min |
| Norwich to York Racecourse | 115 nm | 55 to 65 min | 3 h 44 min | 2 h 44 min |
| Norwich to Aintree Racecourse | 160 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 51 min | 3 h 31 min |
| Norwich to Epsom Downs | 100 nm | 45 to 60 min | 3 h 03 min | 2 h 10 min |
| Norwich to London Heathrow | 97 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 44 min | 1 h 54 min |
| Norwich to London Gatwick | 107 nm | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 02 min | 2 h 07 min |
| Cambridge to Oxford | 60 nm | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 01 min | 1 h 26 min |
| Cambridge to Liverpool | 129 nm | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 38 min | 2 h 30 min |
| Cambridge to Silverstone | 45 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 33 min | 1 h 05 min |
| Cambridge to Ascot Racecourse | 57 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 47 min | 1 h 14 min |
| Cambridge to Cheltenham Racecourse | 85 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 37 min | 1 h 52 min |
| Cambridge to Goodwood | 88 nm | 40 to 55 min | 2 h 40 min | 1 h 52 min |
| Cambridge to Newmarket Racecourse | 8.6 nm | 10 to 15 min | 19 min | About the same |
| Cambridge to York Racecourse | 114 nm | 55 to 65 min | 3 h 01 min | 2 h 01 min |
| Cambridge to Aintree Racecourse | 137 nm | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 40 min | 2 h 32 min |
| Cambridge to Epsom Downs | 56 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 56 min | 1 h 23 min |
| Cambridge to London Heathrow | 50 nm | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 33 min | 1 h 03 min |
| Cambridge to London Gatwick | 65 nm | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 55 min | 1 h 17 min |
| Oxford to Liverpool | 106 nm | 50 to 60 min | 3 h 11 min | 2 h 16 min |
| Oxford to Silverstone | 18 nm | 15 to 20 min | 43 min | 25 min |
| Oxford to Ascot Racecourse | 35 nm | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 09 min | 46 min |
| Oxford to Cheltenham Racecourse | 28 nm | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 02 min | 39 min |
| Oxford to Goodwood | 63 nm | 30 to 40 min | 2 h 05 min | 1 h 30 min |
| Oxford to Newmarket Racecourse | 68 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 08 min | 1 h 28 min |
| Oxford to York Racecourse | 127 nm | 60 to 70 min | 3 h 24 min | 2 h 19 min |
| Oxford to Aintree Racecourse | 115 nm | 55 to 65 min | 3 h 13 min | 2 h 13 min |
| Oxford to Epsom Downs | 51 nm | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 32 min | 1 h 02 min |
| Oxford to London Heathrow | 39 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 07 min | 39 min |
| Oxford to London Gatwick | 59 nm | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 48 min | 1 h 13 min |
| Liverpool to Silverstone | 101 nm | 45 to 60 min | 3 h 01 min | 2 h 08 min |
| Liverpool to Ascot Racecourse | 140 nm | 65 to 80 min | 3 h 55 min | 2 h 42 min |
| Liverpool to Cheltenham Racecourse | 90 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 42 min | 1 h 52 min |
| Liverpool to Goodwood | 168 nm | 75 to 90 min | 4 h 59 min | 3 h 36 min |
| Liverpool to Newmarket Racecourse | 135 nm | 60 to 75 min | 3 h 44 min | 2 h 36 min |
| Liverpool to York Racecourse | 72 nm | 35 to 45 min | 1 h 58 min | 1 h 18 min |
| Liverpool to Aintree Racecourse | 9.3 nm | 10 to 15 min | 32 min | 19 min |
| Liverpool to Epsom Downs | 154 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 18 min | 3 h |
| Liverpool to London Heathrow | 142 nm | 65 to 80 min | 3 h 52 min | 2 h 39 min |
| Liverpool to London Gatwick | 164 nm | 75 to 90 min | 4 h 34 min | 3 h 11 min |
| Silverstone to Ascot Racecourse | 42 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 26 min | 58 min |
| Silverstone to Cheltenham Racecourse | 40 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 32 min | 1 h 04 min |
| Silverstone to Goodwood | 74 nm | 35 to 45 min | 2 h 30 min | 1 h 50 min |
| Silverstone to Newmarket Racecourse | 53 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 41 min | 1 h 08 min |
| Silverstone to York Racecourse | 112 nm | 50 to 65 min | 2 h 56 min | 1 h 58 min |
| Silverstone to Aintree Racecourse | 109 nm | 50 to 65 min | 3 h 03 min | 2 h 05 min |
| Silverstone to Epsom Downs | 54 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 49 min | 1 h 16 min |
| Silverstone to London Heathrow | 42 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 24 min | 56 min |
| Silverstone to London Gatwick | 64 nm | 35 to 40 min | 2 h 05 min | 1 h 27 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to Cheltenham Racecourse | 60 nm | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 46 min | 1 h 11 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to Goodwood | 33 nm | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 12 min | 49 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to Newmarket Racecourse | 64 nm | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 49 min | 1 h 11 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to York Racecourse | 153 nm | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 04 min | 2 h 46 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to Aintree Racecourse | 149 nm | 65 to 85 min | 3 h 56 min | 2 h 41 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to Epsom Downs | 17 nm | 15 to 15 min | 41 min | 26 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to London Heathrow | 8.8 nm | 10 to 15 min | 27 min | 14 min |
| Ascot Racecourse to London Gatwick | 24 nm | 15 to 20 min | 57 min | 39 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse to Goodwood | 80 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 32 min | 1 h 47 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse to Newmarket Racecourse | 93 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 44 min | 1 h 54 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse to York Racecourse | 127 nm | 60 to 70 min | 3 h 25 min | 2 h 20 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse to Aintree Racecourse | 99 nm | 45 to 60 min | 2 h 45 min | 1 h 52 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse to Epsom Downs | 77 nm | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 17 min | 1 h 34 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse to London Heathrow | 66 nm | 35 to 40 min | 1 h 51 min | 1 h 13 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse to London Gatwick | 84 nm | 40 to 50 min | 2 h 32 min | 1 h 47 min |
| Goodwood to Newmarket Racecourse | 94 nm | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 41 min | 1 h 51 min |
| Goodwood to York Racecourse | 186 nm | 80 to 100 min | 4 h 56 min | 3 h 26 min |
| Goodwood to Aintree Racecourse | 177 nm | 80 to 95 min | 4 h 57 min | 3 h 29 min |
| Goodwood to Epsom Downs | 33 nm | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 15 min | 52 min |
| Goodwood to London Heathrow | 38 nm | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 20 min | 52 min |
| Goodwood to London Gatwick | 27 nm | 20 to 25 min | 58 min | 35 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse to York Racecourse | 116 nm | 55 to 65 min | 3 h 07 min | 2 h 07 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse to Aintree Racecourse | 142 nm | 65 to 80 min | 3 h 46 min | 2 h 33 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse to Epsom Downs | 61 nm | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 55 min | 1 h 20 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse to London Heathrow | 56 nm | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 36 min | 1 h 03 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse to London Gatwick | 69 nm | 35 to 45 min | 1 h 54 min | 1 h 14 min |
| York Racecourse to Aintree Racecourse | 72 nm | 35 to 45 min | 1 h 57 min | 1 h 17 min |
| York Racecourse to Epsom Downs | 161 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 17 min | 2 h 57 min |
| York Racecourse to London Heathrow | 151 nm | 65 to 85 min | 3 h 51 min | 2 h 36 min |
| York Racecourse to London Gatwick | 171 nm | 75 to 95 min | 4 h 33 min | 3 h 08 min |
| Aintree Racecourse to Epsom Downs | 163 nm | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 20 min | 3 h |
| Aintree Racecourse to London Heathrow | 151 nm | 70 to 85 min | 3 h 55 min | 2 h 37 min |
| Aintree Racecourse to London Gatwick | 173 nm | 75 to 95 min | 4 h 36 min | 3 h 11 min |
| Epsom Downs to London Heathrow | 12 nm | 10 to 15 min | 40 min | 27 min |
| Epsom Downs to London Gatwick | 10 nm | 10 to 15 min | 32 min | 19 min |
| London Heathrow to London Gatwick | 22 nm | 15 to 20 min | 54 min | 36 min |
Helicopter figures are typical block times: distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range. Road figures are free-flowing road times, a floor that real journeys rarely beat. Distances are in a straight line. Figures from our UK route data, checked 29 Sep 2026.
Where the helicopter saves the most
The biggest absolute savings are on the long routes. London to Newcastle (about 4 hours 11 minutes), Manchester to Edinburgh (about 3 hours 20 minutes) and London to Manchester (about 3 hours 1 minute) lead the table. London to Newcastle alone gives back more than four hours each way, which is why a same-day return by helicopter is realistic and by car is not.
The smallest savings are on the short hops: Birmingham to Manchester (about 1 hour 29 minutes), Liverpool to Birmingham (about 1 hour 31 minutes) and Bristol to Birmingham (about 1 hour 31 minutes). Even there the helicopter takes about a third of the road time or less, but the absolute gain is closer to an hour and a half, and the ground steps at each end count for more.
The shortest and the longest flights
The shortest flight in the set is Birmingham to Manchester, about 30 to 35 minutes over 57.3 nautical miles. The longest is London to Newcastle, about 95 to 120 minutes over 221 nautical miles. The relationship is nearly linear: a helicopter at 135 knots covers about 2.25 nautical miles a minute, so each extra 10 nautical miles adds roughly four to five minutes.
The road is not linear. A route with a fast motorway the whole way, such as the one between the Midlands cities, gives the car its best chance. A route with slower sections, such as the one between Newcastle and Edinburgh, makes the helicopter look even better. That is why Newcastle to Edinburgh, one of the shorter flights, has the best ratio of flight time to road time.
How we work out the times
The helicopter figure is a block time: the distance divided by a cruise speed of 135 knots, plus 8 minutes for start-up, climb and approach. We then show it as a range, 10 per cent shorter to 12 per cent longer, rounded to the nearest five minutes, to allow for wind and air traffic routing. The road figure comes from a routing engine and is the free-flowing time, so it is a floor. Real journeys are usually slower because of traffic, roadworks and stops.
We do not quote train times on these pages. The comparison is helicopter against car, and we only publish figures that come from our own data. Distances and times are for cities, using the main airfield or heliport at each end; where a route has several sites, we give the range on the route page. Landings elsewhere are subject to landing permission and site suitability. You can find the sites themselves in the directory of UK heliports and airfields.
What the car number does not include
The road time is a best case with no traffic, no stop and no parking. A helicopter day has its own steps, and we count them: you arrive 10 minutes before departure, we need passenger weights in advance, and you will usually want a car from the landing site to your meeting. Neither the helicopter nor the car figure includes that last mile.
If you want a car at either end, our chauffeur partner can arrange one. For central London, see the London Heliport at Battersea.
Choosing between a helicopter and a car
As a rule of thumb, the helicopter pays for itself in time when the road journey is more than about three hours, when you have more than one stop in a day, or when you have to be somewhere on a fixed time. For shorter trips, a car may do. For a single trip with a flexible diary, a train or a car is often enough.
If you are planning a there-and-back day, our same-day business trips page explains how it works. For corporate days out, see corporate days out by helicopter. And for people who are moved under protection, secure helicopter transport sets out the benefits of a single point-to-point leg.
More routes we fly
Beyond the thirteen headline pairs we have route pages for London to Cardiff, London to Edinburgh, London to Glasgow, London to Southampton, London to Norwich, London to Cambridge, London to Oxford, London to Cheltenham, Manchester to Leeds, Manchester to Liverpool, Manchester to Newcastle, Edinburgh to Glasgow, Glasgow to Newcastle, Bristol to Cardiff, Bristol to Southampton, Bristol to Oxford, Birmingham to Cheltenham, Birmingham to Oxford, Birmingham to Cambridge, Birmingham to Cardiff, Leeds to Liverpool and Leeds to York. Each uses the same method and the same figures as the pages above.
Find your city and region
Each route page links to the cities at both ends. Start with London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol or Edinburgh, or browse the whole country from our helicopter charter UK page. If your route is not here, we can quote any pair of sites; ask on the quote form, and see the helicopter hire price guides for what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
How much faster is a helicopter than a car in the UK?
On the routes we compare, the flight takes roughly a quarter to a third of the free-flowing road time. The saving ranges from about 1 hour 29 minutes to 4 hours 11 minutes each way.
How do you work out helicopter journey times?
We divide the distance by a cruise speed of 135 knots, add 8 minutes for start-up, climb and approach, and show it as a range from 10 per cent shorter to 12 per cent longer, rounded to five minutes.
Where do the car times come from?
From a routing engine, as free-flowing road time. That makes them a floor: real journeys are usually slower because of traffic and stops.
Which UK route saves the most time?
London to Newcastle saves the most, about 4 hours 11 minutes each way, followed by Manchester to Edinburgh and London to Manchester.
Does the same time apply in both directions?
Yes. The distance is the same, so the block time is the same, give or take the wind on the day.
Can I fly there and back in one day?
On most of these routes, yes. A morning flight and an afternoon flight leave several hours on the ground. The longer routes are exactly where this is most useful.
Does the helicopter land at my office or hotel?
Only where there is a suitable site and the landowner gives permission, subject to landing permission and site suitability. We usually use an airfield or heliport and arrange a car.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Cloud, wind and visibility can change the timings or stop a flight. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.
