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. Consider staying at least one whole day in Durham to see all of its attractions.

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
$186
1 night at 3-star hotel
Durham in January
Estimated hotel price
$186
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 New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 32h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Durham to Manchester takes 2h 33m and costs around $45 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $117 for a 2h 50m 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 Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Durham, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Leeds, the bus ride to Durham takes 193 km and will cost you around $24. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about $49 for a journey of 290 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 New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 32h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Durham to Manchester takes 2h 33m and costs around $45 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $117 for a 2h 50m 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 Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Durham, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Leeds, the bus ride to Durham takes 193 km and will cost you around $24. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about $49 for a journey of 290 km. Durham’s bus station is located 1.2 km from the city centre.

Airlines serving Durham

Lufthansa
Good (4,688 reviews)
KLM
Good (837 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,651 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,568 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,602 reviews)
Air France
Good (985 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,104 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,416 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (933 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (840 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (534 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (740 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (188 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (737 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (959 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (61 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (192 reviews)
China Southern
Excellent (33 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (950 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,426 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Durham

Average rates range from around $151 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $191 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)
$232+
Lumley Castle Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$168+
Travelodge Durham
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
$94+
Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$230+
Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$213+
Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf And Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$223+

Hiring a car in Durham

Hiring a car in Durham costs $86 per day, on average.

Expect to pay $3.05 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 $36.56 and $48.75. 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 car hire (Peugeot 208 or similar) is, on average, 60% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Durham costs $86 per day, on average.

Expect to pay $3.05 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 $36.56 and $48.75. 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 car hire (Peugeot 208 or similar) is, on average, 60% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.