- Must visit
Hopetown Darlington
Railway museum celebrating the Stockton and Darlington Railway with locomotives, carriages and stories of early rail travel.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£74
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£90
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
2 h 53 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
3 h 7 m
Trains on 18 Sept
6
Distance
281 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cambridge to Darlington is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cambridge to Darlington will cost around £90 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £74.
To travel from Cambridge to Darlington you need to make at least one change.
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G00959Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cambridge to Darlington among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £44 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 16m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £44, while a coach costs an average of £82.
Distance: 281 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£44 Average Price Cheapest | £82 Average Price | £54 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 16m Average total duration Fastest 2h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 25m Average total duration 8h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cambridge to Darlington:
A train is £38 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Cambridge to Darlington costing on average £82.
Other travel options to Darlington take longer:
Coach takes on average 8h 55m.
The journey is about 42m faster (2h 46m by train vs 3h 28m by car) and roughly £10 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£44 vs £54). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Cambridge to Darlington trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:54 Cambridge | 3h07 | 12:01 Darlington | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Cambridge to Darlington run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 46m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £32 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:05, the last at 22:29. The fastest train covers the 281 km distance in 3h 7m.
Distance 281 km |
Average train duration 2h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price £32 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 3h 7m |
First train 4:05 |
Last train 22:29 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Darlington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Darlington trip today.
Railway museum celebrating the Stockton and Darlington Railway with locomotives, carriages and stories of early rail travel.
Historic country house with art, furnishings and estate collections, offering a museum-style visit alongside parkland walks.
Local arts centre with changing exhibitions, performances and creative events in a restored Victorian building.
Large public park with bandstand, aviary, café-free green space, sports areas and pleasant paths close to the town centre.
Historic market square surrounded by civic buildings and shops, useful for seeing the town centre's layout and daily life.
Popular woodland and lakeside park on the edge of Darlington with walking trails, sculpture and open green views.
A classic North-East pease pudding spread in a bread bun, often with ham. It is a long-standing local lunch tied to Teesside and County Durham.
Slow-cooked split peas seasoned into a thick savoury paste. It is a regional staple traditionally served with ham or pork pies.
A large round flat loaf with a soft crumb, common across North-East England. It is traditionally used for hearty sandwiches and local fillings.
Refined dining in a country house setting, known for modern British cooking and polished service. Best for a special meal near Darlington.
Stylish restaurant serving Indian small plates and grilled dishes in an upbeat modern setting. A popular choice for groups and evening meals.
Smart casual steakhouse focused on quality beef, burgers and hearty mains. Relaxed atmosphere suited to an easy dinner in town.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and everyday costs are fairly reasonable for visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Darlington Railway Station -> Darlington Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cambridge to Darlington by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Darlington, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cambridge to Darlington trains use the Cambridge North to Darlington station pair. Use this guide to compare Cambridge and Darlington train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Cambridge North is 3 km from Cambridge city centre. Public transport options include:
Cambridge North has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cambridge North.
Wi-Fi is available at Cambridge North.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 2878.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cambridge North: Parking, WC.
Available at Cambridge North: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cambridge North: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible taxis: Details of the nearest taxi will be supplied by station staff, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Darlington has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Darlington.
ATMs are available at Darlington.
Ticket office support is available at Darlington.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Darlington: Parking, WC.
Available at Darlington: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Darlington: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: text phones are available and staff are on hand to assist as required due to no low level phones, Accessible taxis: Generally available but advance booking recommended, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need