London Kings Cross to Durham Trains From £20.15*

You can reach Durham from London King’s Cross in just 2 hours and 52 minutes on a direct train operated by London North Eastern Railway(LNER), making travelling to the North East by rail one of the quickest, most comfortable, and most convenient options.

As you head north from London King’s Cross to Durham station, sit back and enjoy a truly picturesque ride as you pass between the dramatic scenery of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors before skirting the impressive North Pennines.

LNER operates fast, long-distance trains along the East Coast Main Line, linking London King’s Cross with key cities such as York, Leeds, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, serving both England and Scotland.

Departing from London King’s Cross

Situated on Euston Road in London’s Zone 1, London King’s Cross is a key hub for northbound services from the capital, in particular for the East Midlands, the North East, and Eastern Scotland.  

Routes are operated by LNER, Great Northern, Hull Trains and Thameslink. Alongside commuter services, popular long-distance destinations from London King’s Cross station include Cambridge, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Durham and Edinburgh. 

Operated by LNER, London King’s Cross station is easily accessible from six Underground lines as well as frequent bus services and taxis. It’s also only a short walk away from both London St Pancras International and London Euston stations. With a first class lounge, shops, accessible ticket machines, and public Wi-Fi, London King’s Cross has everything travellers might need before climbing on board their London to Durham train. 

Main stops

Your London to Durham train service will most likely stop at Peterborough, Newark Northgate, Doncaster, York, and Darlington before reaching Durham, though stations may vary depending on your route and operator.

Arriving at Durham Station

Arriving into Durham station, you’re just a short walk from one of the UK’s most captivating historic cities. Just head out down Station Approach, and you can be at Durham cathedral within 15 minutes.

Perched above the River Wear, Durham’s skyline is dominated by its imposing Norman castle as well as the magnificent Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Step inside to explore centuries of history and even walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter, with scenes from the films shot right here. As well as its rich history, Durham also offers tranquil riverside walks, charming boat trips, and lively markets, making it a delightful destination to suit all tastes.

From Durham, you can explore destinations further afield in the North East, including Newcastle, Darlington, Morpeth and York.

LNER train classes 

• Standard Class: Enjoy a comfortable journey aboard LNER’s high-speed Azumi service with ergonomic seating, additional luggage space and an extra 7 cm of extra legroom. Relax with a menu of locally sourced food and drinks that you can order to your seat, or make the most of the at-seat power sockets and free Wi-Fi to unwind.
• First Class: Travelling from London to Durham First Class, you’ll enjoy wider reclining seats, generous legroom, free high-speed Wi-Fi, USB and power sockets, as well as a complementary menu of locally sourced food and drink from. You can also use LNER’s First Class lounge at London King’s Cross before you board.

LNER travel advice

Find out everything you need to know before you travel about luggage allowance, storage facilities, travelling with children and pets, and assisted travel, so you can just sit back and relax into your London to Durham train journey.

• Luggage: You can bring up to three items of luggage with you for free, including large suitcases, carry‑on bags, and small handbags. Space however is limited, so please do store bags in overhead racks or at your feet where possible.
• Bicycles: Folding bikes can be brought on all services at any time as long as they remain folded for the duration of the journey. Standard bikes and e‑bikes require a reservation, though this may not always be available, especially during peak travel times. E‑scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Any children travelling with you under the age of five go for free, while kids between 5 and 15 are eligible for 50% off on both Standard and First Class fares. Sixteen‑year‑olds can also travel for half price by purchasing the 16–17 Saver railcard. Accessible facilities like family seating and baby-changing areas are available on board and at major stations.
• Pets: You can travel with up to two pets free of charge. Dogs must be kept on a lead and are not allowed to occupy seats. Any smaller animals must travel in a secure carrier.
• Passenger Assist: If you need help with boarding, navigating stations, or if you need to reserve a wheelchair space, you can book assistance when purchasing your ticket, on the app, or ask staff at larger stations on the day of travel.

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