Newcastle to Durham Trains From €2.99*

With three operators running direct services between Newcastle and Durham, the differences come down to speed, price and frequency. All three cover the short journey in under 15 minutes, so take a look at our comparison table below to find the best service for you.

• LNER:LNER is the fastest way to travel from Newcastle to Durham, with Azuma services completing the journey in around 11 minutes. 
•  CrossCountry: For those who need to travel at a specific time, CrossCountry runs the most frequent departures, making it the most flexible choice for commuters and day-trippers, with journey times of around 12 minutes.
• TransPennine Express:It takes a little longer at around 15 minutes but offers the lowest advance fares on the route from just £3.90. It‘s a great option for those flexible on timing and travelling on a budget.

At around 14 miles, the journey from Newcastle to Durham is one of the shortest intercity rides on the East Coast Main Line, arriving in the heart of one of England's most historic cathedral cities in around 12 minutes. Here are a few station tips and platform shortcuts to make sure your trip goes smoothly at both ends.

Newcastle: Getting to the Platform

Located on Neville Street, Newcastle Central is one of the north-east's most impressive Victorian stations, its Grade I listed facade just a short walk from the city centre and Quayside. Managed by LNER, the station handles East Coast Main Line services as well as regional connections across the north-east, with direct services to Durham departing regularly throughout the day.

• The Platform Tip: Services to Durham depart from the southbound platforms, normally Platforms 3 or 4. Check the departure boards on the main concourse before heading to the platform, as allocations can change at the last minute.
• Pre-Departure: The station has a First Class lounge, shops and refreshments on the concourse, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the station. Taxis are available outside the main entrance on Neville Street, and the Tyne and Wear Metro is directly accessible from within the station building for connections all across the city.

Onboard trains from Newcastle to Durham

At around 12 minutes, this is one of the shorter journeys on the network, but it ends with one of the most celebrated railway arrivals in England.

• The View Alert: Sit on the right-hand side as you head south to Durham. Durham Cathedral will come into view on your approach into the city, and the view of its Norman towers rising high above the River Wear is a sight that has stopped travellers in their tracks for centuries.
• Key Landmarks: Durham Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Durham Castle, also part of the World Heritage Site, sits alongside it on the same rocky peninsula above the river.

Arriving at Durham

Located on North Road on the western side of the city, Durham station is just a short walk away from the cathedral, castle and historic peninsula on the other side of the River Wear. Managed by LNER, it's a compact and well-organised station with step-free access throughout and an impressive range of facilities.

• The North Road Exit: The main exit leads onto North Road, where taxis queue and buses run to destinations across the city and beyond. The city centre and cathedral are around a 10-minute walk from here, crossing the river and climbing up to the historic peninsula.
• Onward Travel: Much of central Durham is reachable on foot from the station, though the cathedral and castle involve a noticeable climb once you've crossed the Wear. Taxis are available outside the main entrance on North Road, and the station has a large car park for those being collected by car.