Durham travel guide

Durham Tourism | Durham Guide

You're Going to Love Durham

With a population of 45,696, Durham is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Durham deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Durham

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bistro 21 (Aykley Heads House Aykley Heads) and Restaurant 1744 @ Redworth Hall Hotel (Redworth) are great picks. For delicious green meals, The Cellar Door (41/42 Saddler Street) and The Curious Mr Fox (Framwellgate) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Durham.

When to visit Durham

Durham in October
Estimated hotel price
$173
1 night at 3-star hotel
Durham in October
Estimated hotel price
$173
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Durham

Plane

Although Durham doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Newcastle Airport (UK) (NCL), which is located 30 km from Durham. The shortest flight to Durham from Australia departs from Perth and takes around 38h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by LNER. The train journey from Durham to Edinburgh takes 1h 52m and costs around $15 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about $50 for a 2h 36m trip. The train station in Durham is called Durham, and is located 0.4 km from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Durham is to pick up a car hire from Edinburgh, which is about 166 km from Durham. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Alamo, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Durham, including FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Darlington, the bus ride to Durham takes 89 km and will cost you around $32. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about $20 for a journey of 249 km. Durham’s bus station is located 1.2 km from the city centre.

Plane

Although Durham doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Newcastle Airport (UK) (NCL), which is located 30 km from Durham. The shortest flight to Durham from Australia departs from Perth and takes around 38h 05m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by LNER. The train journey from Durham to Edinburgh takes 1h 52m and costs around $15 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about $50 for a 2h 36m trip. The train station in Durham is called Durham, and is located 0.4 km from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Durham is to pick up a car hire from Edinburgh, which is about 166 km from Durham. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Alamo, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Durham, including FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Darlington, the bus ride to Durham takes 89 km and will cost you around $32. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about $20 for a journey of 249 km. Durham’s bus station is located 1.2 km from the city centre.

Airlines serving Durham

Lufthansa
Good (4,696 reviews)
KLM
Good (846 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,587 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,598 reviews)
Air France
Good (981 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,597 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,116 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,437 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (923 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (833 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (516 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (726 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (186 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (766 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (976 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (57 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (975 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (194 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,439 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,406 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Durham

Average rates range from around $139 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $202 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Durham

Most booked hotels in Durham

Hotel Indigo Durham
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
$214+
Lumley Castle Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$155+
Travelodge Durham
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
$87+
Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$217+
Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$199+
Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf And Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$204+

Hiring a car in Durham

Expect to pay $2.85 per litre in Durham (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $34.20 and $45.59. Economy (Kia Rio or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Durham, while also 50% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay $2.85 per litre in Durham (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $34.20 and $45.59. Economy (Kia Rio or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Durham, while also 50% cheaper than other types, on average.