London Kings Cross to Darlington Trains From £19.15*

Travel to Darlington by rail in just under two and a half hours. The journey from London Kings Cross to Darlington offers beautiful glimpses of rural and industrial life as well as the York Minster. London North Eastern Railway (LNER) operates two direct trains an hour.

LNER is a major train-operating company serving Greater London, Yorkshire, North East England and Scotland. Trains go as far as Inverness. Other stations on its network include Skipton, Grantham and Hull.

Departing from London Kings Cross

The London to Darlington train departs from London Kings Cross, one of the busiest stations in the country. Getting there is simple thanks to numerous bus routes, a dedicated taxi rank and London Underground interchanges. King’s Cross St Pancras is on the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.

Five operators provide rail services from Kings Cross station: LNER, Great Northern, Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains. Their routes offer direct access to east and north-eastern England, Yorkshire and Scotland. Destinations include Harrogate, Stevenage, Lincoln and Hull.

Main stops

Stations served depend on the train operator, route and time. Your London to Darlington train could also call at Peterborough, Doncaster or York.

Arriving at Darlington

Trains from London arrive in Darlington, an iconic station and home to the world’s first public steam railway. It’s situated on Bank Top, less than 15 minutes away from the town centre. Four bus routes stop directly in front of the station, and cabs are available from the north entrance.

Darlington is full of Victorian gems, real ale pubs and entertainment venues. The beautifully restored Darlington Library is a hub for local and family history as well as regional art in the same building as the Crown Street Art Gallery. Another 15-minute walk north takes you to Hopetown, Darlington, an incredible railway museum where you can enjoy a bite to eat and buy souvenirs in the former 1833 Goods Shed.

Darlington station has regular services operated by LNER, CrossCountry, Northern and TransPennine Express. You can catch trains to towns and cities such as Aberdeen, Redcar and Exeter.

LNER train classes

• Standard Class: LNER’s comfortable seating has 7 centimetres of legroom in Standard Class as well as a table. Carriages also include power sockets, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage and a café to purchase refreshments. Book as soon as you can to buy cheap train tickets.
• First Class: London to Darlington First Class carriages have larger reclining seats, individual sockets and USB ports to charge your devices, and bigger tables. Passengers also receive hot and cold refreshments. LNER First Class lounge access is available for departure and arrival (next to Waitrose at King’s Cross and on platform 1 at Darlington). Lounges offer free WiFi, light refreshments and charging points. 

LNER train travel advice

• Luggage: Each passenger is allowed one small bag, a medium-sized carry-on bag and a large suitcase.
• Bicycles: It’s free and compulsory to reserve a space for non-folding bikes. Charging e-bikes on board is not permitted.
• Children: Two kids under 5 can travel free with an adult. Additional children will need a Child ticket. 5–15-year-olds and 16–17 Saver Railcard holders usually get most fares half price. If you can, fold buggies before boarding.
• Pets: Up to two pets can board the train for free. They must stay out of the aisles and off the seats.
• Passenger Assist: Request help for your journey, such as getting around the station, up to two hours before you travel. Station staff can also assist you on the day.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.