Our Tiny Planet
How the halfway point is found
The halfway point sits on the shortest path over the Earth between your two city centres, the same distance from each of you. Because the Earth is round, it's often not where a flat map suggests. Routes between the northern cities of Europe and North America bend north, so their halfway points are usually further north than you would guess.
Most of the planet is water, so plenty of halfway points land at sea. When yours does, we say so plainly and show the nearest big cities instead.
The fairest city to meet
The exact midpoint is rarely somewhere you can fly to. So we also look through a list of big cities with busy airports and choose the one where the longer of your two journeys is as short as it can be. That way neither of you does all the travelling. When you live closer together, we look at every city on our list instead.
It's measured in straight lines, not flight times or fares. A city with direct flights from both of you can beat one that's slightly closer, so check real routes and prices before you book.
Tips for meeting in the middle
- Compare door-to-door times. A direct flight that's a little longer is often less tiring than two short ones.
- Check both passports. The fairest city on a map may need a visa for one of you and not the other.
- Land close together. Pick flights that arrive within a few hours of each other, so nobody waits alone at the airport all day.
- Take turns. Halfway one time, their home the next, yours after that. It keeps the cost and the tiredness even.
Want the full distance first? Try how far apart are we, and once the trip is booked, start a countdown.
