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. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Durham has to offer.

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 January
Estimated hotel price
$63
1 night at 3-star hotel
Durham in January
Estimated hotel price
$63
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 the United States departs from Boston and takes around 9h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Durham to London takes 2h 48m and costs around $138 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $93 for a 4h 51m trip. The train station in Durham is called Durham, and is located 0.4 km from the city center.

Car

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

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Durham, including Megabus, National Express and FlixBus. From Edinburgh, the bus ride to Durham takes 249 km and will cost you around $13. From Manchester, the ticket costs about $25 for a journey of 338 km. Durham’s bus station is located 1.2 km from the city center.

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 the United States departs from Boston and takes around 9h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Durham to London takes 2h 48m and costs around $138 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $93 for a 4h 51m trip. The train station in Durham is called Durham, and is located 0.4 km from the city center.

Car

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

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Durham, including Megabus, National Express and FlixBus. From Edinburgh, the bus ride to Durham takes 249 km and will cost you around $13. From Manchester, the ticket costs about $25 for a journey of 338 km. Durham’s bus station is located 1.2 km from the city center.

Airlines serving Durham

Lufthansa
Good (4,614 reviews)
KLM
Good (848 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,454 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,599 reviews)
Air France
Good (973 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,549 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,478 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (911 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (708 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (487 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (776 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (180 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,449 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (956 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (194 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (51 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (988 reviews)
Qantas Airways
Good (538 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Durham

Average rates range from around $92 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $127 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Durham

Most booked hotels in Durham

The Ball Alley
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 549 reviews)
$80+
Hotel Indigo Durham
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 3071 reviews)
$139+
South Causey Inn
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 361 reviews)
$185+
Oak Tree Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 561 reviews)
$49+
Travelodge Durham
3 stars
Excellent (9, 35 reviews)
$60+
Lumley Castle Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 3657 reviews)
$111+

Renting a car in Durham

Expect to pay $7.00 per gallon in Durham (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $84.04 and $112.05. Compact (Class Compact Crossover or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Durham, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay $7.00 per gallon in Durham (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $84.04 and $112.05. Compact (Class Compact Crossover or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Durham, while also 67% cheaper than other types, on average.