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 19 miles from Durham. The shortest flight to Durham from the United States departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 10h 30m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by Lumo. The train journey from Durham to London takes 2h 48m and costs around $58 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $191 for a 4h 53m trip. The train station in Durham is called Durham, and is located 0.2 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Durham is to pick up a car rental from Edinburgh, which is about 103 miles 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 FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Edinburgh, the bus ride to Durham takes 155 miles and will cost you around $13. From Manchester, the ticket costs about $32 for a journey of 210 miles. Durham’s bus station is located 0.8 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Durham doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Newcastle Airport (UK) (NCL), which is located 19 miles from Durham. The shortest flight to Durham from the United States departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 10h 30m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by Lumo. The train journey from Durham to London takes 2h 48m and costs around $58 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about $191 for a 4h 53m trip. The train station in Durham is called Durham, and is located 0.2 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Durham is to pick up a car rental from Edinburgh, which is about 103 miles 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 FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Edinburgh, the bus ride to Durham takes 155 miles and will cost you around $13. From Manchester, the ticket costs about $32 for a journey of 210 miles. Durham’s bus station is located 0.8 miles from the city center.

Airlines serving Durham

Lufthansa
Good (4,689 reviews)
KLM
Good (846 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,573 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,607 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,600 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,113 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,441 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (923 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (834 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (512 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (726 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (185 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (766 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (976 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (55 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (977 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (194 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,439 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,414 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Durham

Average rates range from around $91 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $139 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, 570 reviews)
$81+
Hotel Indigo Durham
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 3101 reviews)
$142+
South Causey Inn
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 366 reviews)
$209+
Oak Tree Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 568 reviews)
$50+
Travelodge Durham
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 35 reviews)
$59+
Lumley Castle Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 3758 reviews)
$103+

Renting a car in Durham

Renting a car in Durham costs $145 per day, on average, or $434 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 67% more expensive than at Newcastle upon Tyne.

Expect to pay $7.15 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 $85.85 and $114.47. The most frequently booked car type in Durham is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Class Compact Crossover or similar) are, on average, 67% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Durham costs $145 per day, on average, or $434 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 67% more expensive than at Newcastle upon Tyne.

Expect to pay $7.15 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 $85.85 and $114.47. The most frequently booked car type in Durham is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Class Compact Crossover or similar) are, on average, 67% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.