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 Chicago and takes around 12h.

Train

Transpennine Express is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by AccesRail. 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 Megabus, FlixBus and National Express. From Manchester, the bus ride to Durham takes 205 miles and will cost you around $9. From Glasgow, the ticket costs about $15 for a journey of 245 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 Chicago and takes around 12h.

Train

Transpennine Express is the most popular train carrier serving Durham, followed by AccesRail. 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 Megabus, FlixBus and National Express. From Manchester, the bus ride to Durham takes 205 miles and will cost you around $9. From Glasgow, the ticket costs about $15 for a journey of 245 miles. Durham’s bus station is located 0.8 miles from the city center.

Airlines serving Durham

Lufthansa
Good (4,664 reviews)
KLM
Good (852 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,534 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,615 reviews)
Air France
Good (984 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,585 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,119 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (924 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (833 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (716 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (502 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (184 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (773 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (962 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,445 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (194 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (54 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (989 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,441 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 $115 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, 559 reviews)
$81+
Hotel Indigo Durham
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 3106 reviews)
$143+
South Causey Inn
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 361 reviews)
$208+
Oak Tree Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 565 reviews)
$50+
Travelodge Durham
3 stars
Excellent (9, 36 reviews)
$59+
Lumley Castle Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 3741 reviews)
$103+

Renting a car in Durham

Renting a car in Durham costs $107 per day, on average, or $321 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, 60% more expensive than at Newcastle upon Tyne.

Expect to pay $7.08 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 $84.94 and $113.26. The most frequently booked car type in Durham is Mini (Fiat 500 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, 70% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Durham costs $107 per day, on average, or $321 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, 60% more expensive than at Newcastle upon Tyne.

Expect to pay $7.08 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 $84.94 and $113.26. The most frequently booked car type in Durham is Mini (Fiat 500 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, 70% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.