Directions to Durham

Durham has excellent transport links, and is easily accessible by road, rail and air.

By Rail

Durham Railway Station is on the East Coast Mainline and is served by the following inter-city routes:

  • East Coast: London, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh
  • CrossCountry: The South West, Bristol, Reading, Oxford, Birmingham, Derby, Sheffield, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen
  • Transpennine Express: Manchester, Manchester Airport, Leeds, York, Newcastle

Durham Station won the 2008 National Rail Award for best overall station, and surprisingly, the jury's citation did not even mention the view!

The wheelchair-friendly Cathedral Bus takes you from the railway station or city centre right up to the World Heritage Site.

By Car

Durham is conveniently situated on the A1(M) and has good road links from all directions. City-centre car parking is Pay & Display, or there is a good and inexpensive Park & Ride service.

Turn off the A1(M) at Junction 62 and take the A690 west towards Durham. Follow signs for car parking. Alternatively, use the Park & Ride situated on the A690 just off the A1(M) to the East (follow signs).

By Coach

National Express operates a regular coach service to Durham.

By Bus

Buses operate to Durham from the surrounding area, including Newcastle, Sunderland and Darlington. For all bus times, visit Traveline North East.

By Air

Newcastle International Airport

Newcastle is the largest nearby airport, serving a wide range of destinations in the UK and worldwide. You can get from the airport to Durham by taking a Metro to Central Station and then catching a southbound train to Durham.

Durham Tees Valley Airport

Catch a bus (no. 12) or train to Darlington, then a northbound train to Durham.

Other Airports

Manchester Airport has a direct rail service to Durham (approx. 3 hrs). Most other UK airports can be reached by rail.

Ferry

DFDS Seaways sails daily from Amsterdam to Newcastle. For foot passengers, there is a bus from the port to Newcastle Central Station, where you can catch a train to Durham.

All ferry routes to the UK can be found via AFerry.co.uk.

The World Heritage Site as seen from Durham Railway Station.

The World Heritage Site as seen from Durham Railway Station.