Durham, a quaint city in the northeast of England, packs a punch with its academic and architectural prowess. From across the UK and beyond, people are drawn to Durham for its tight-knit community and rich history. Hop on board and join CrossCountry as we explore what’s possible with a trip to Durham by train.
Trains tickets to Durham
Durham is located in the northeast of England and is a great destination to visit by train. You can catch a CrossCountry train to Durham station from Northern cities like Newcastle and York, as well as from further down south, like Bristol and Birmingham.
Before you embark on your adventure, be sure to book an Advance Ticket on our website or the CrossCountry app to give you the freedom to choose the best price and time. You can also save money by purchasing a Railcard. Discover savings with a 16-25 Railcard or a Family & Friends Railcard.
FAQs
The main train station in the city is Durham Station.
Durham Station is just a short walk from the city centre, although like most of the city it is on a hill, so be ready for a bit of a climb.
The closest airport to Durham is Newcastle International. The easiest and quickest route to the airport is by getting a train to Newcastle and then the metro to the airport. This should take around an hour, depending on time of travel.
It is possible to save money on your train to Durham. If you’re eligible, investing in a railcard saves you ⅓ of every journey - you can sometimes make back the price of a railcard in one journey! Being flexible and travelling off peak also helps, as well as checking out student deals or comparing single ticket prices. Take a look at our cheap tickets page for tips on saving money on your train to Durham.
For further information about the station in Durham, check out our station guide.
Experience Durham
Places to eat in Durham
Durham is a wonderfully walkable city, and there’s no reason you can’t get a real taste of the place in a day. For breakfast and a calming view of the River Wear, head to Riverview Kitchen, a vegan-friendly café with some of the best pancakes in Durham. The riverside location and huge windows make it perfect for a spring morning of boat and bird watching.
When you start to get peckish again, head to Flat White Kitchen, a beautiful townhouse turned café which serves speciality coffee and mouth-watering brunch. Located close to the cathedral, it’s the perfect pitstop between sightseeing.
There is also an exciting range of restaurants in Durham, catering to all budgets. Coarse in the city centre offers three or six-course tasting menus that set out to impress. With a goal of making the tasting menu experience more wallet-friendly, Coarse excels at choosing and transforming the best of local and seasonal ingredients.
Looking for something a little more grab-and-go? The Food Pit is Durham’s first street food hall and features an enticing variety of flavours, from Korean to Greek to Mexican.
Places to stay in Durham
There are lots of comfortable places to stay in Durham, many within walking distance of Durham station. The Kingslodge Inn is a charming hotel located ten minutes from the station. Guests can enjoy a relaxing stay in the countryside while still being a stone's throw from the city. It is pet-friendly and boasts a cosy bar and lounge.
Another great option is Farnley Tower, a quiet escape on the outskirts of the city with views of the castle and cathedral.
As well as some cosy and rustic accommodation options, there are also a range of no-frills chain hotels and hostels to try out, all of which offer a clean stay and a good night’s sleep.
Please note: CrossCountry is unable to support with any hotel related queries or booking requests. For further information, please contact the hotels mentioned directly.
Culture and heritage in Durham
Durham’s history is vast and storied, evidenced by the Norman castle, located within walking distance from the university’s brutalist student union. There are lots of ways to immerse yourself in this heritage, but a good start would be the Durham University Museum of Archaeology. The collection is home to thousands of historical artefacts, from Palaeolithic objects to Roman treasures, right up to recent history.
Visits to both Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle are a must. The castle hosts guided tours and special events throughout the year, allowing visitors to step back in time to the 11th century. The cathedral houses a museum and a spiral staircase, with which you can climb to the top of the Central Tower and enjoy a gorgeous view of the city.
There are also plenty of great music, comedy, and dance venues around the city. Gala Theatre has an exciting line-up of events, from opera to film to family events.
Shopping in Durham
Durham is a great retail destination, boasting a medley of high street stores and independent boutiques. Prince Bishops Place is within walking distance of Durham station, and it’s got something for everyone, from bookshops to jewellery shops. There are also regular markets across the city, such as the Durham Food Producers and Crafters Market and the Saturday Outdoor Market – a charming way to experience Durham’s hospitality.
Throughout the city, you’re sure to also stumble upon some small businesses. Durham is full of artisans, creators, and people following their passion, whether that’s preloved clothing at Circle Vintage or vinyl at The Record Shed.
