- Must visit
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
Museum in nearby Beamish presenting North East life through reconstructed streets, homes and transport. A major day trip from Durham.
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Chester to Durham
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 20 Oct
Cheapest price on 20 Oct
£26
Average ticket price on 20 Oct
£36
Fastest journey on 20 Oct
3 h 14 m
Average journey duration on 20 Oct
3 h 36 m
Trains on 20 Oct
3
Distance
196 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chester to Durham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chester to Durham will cost around £36 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £26.
Fast trains
On Tue 20 Oct, we found 3 trains from Chester to Durham, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 196 km distance in an average of 3 h 36 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 14 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h 58 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
7:523h14Chester11:06Durham£261One-way0 changes
9:263h58Chester13:24Durham£291One-way0 changes- 13:313h35Chester17:06Durham£511One-way0 changes
- 7:523h14Chester11:06Durham£261One-way0 changes
- 13:313h35Chester17:06Durham£511One-way0 changes
- 9:263h58Chester13:24Durham£291One-way0 changes
Journey information
Overview: Train from Chester to Durham
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Chester to Durham run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £39 but you can travel from only £35 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 03:51, the last at 23:04. The fastest train covers the 196 km distance in 3h 2m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £35
Distance 196 km |
Average train duration 3h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price £39 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 2m |
First train 3:51 |
Last train 23:04 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 4 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £35
Live departures
Chester to Durham train times
The table below shows live departures for Chester to Durham trains for tomorrow, Tuesday 20 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:52 Chester | 3h14 | 11:06 Durham | 0 changesdirect | |
| 9:26 Chester | 3h58 | 13:24 Durham | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Why should you book Chester to Durham trains with Omio?
Transpennine Express operates all trains services from Chester to Durham.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Chester to Durham.
Why book with Omio vs Transpennine Express?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Transpennine Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chester to Durham.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Chester to Durham.
Train companies: Transpennine Express from Chester to Durham trainsTranspennine Express trains will get you between Chester and Durham from £35. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Transpennine Express
About
Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Transpennine Express Duration
3h 2m
Cheapest Transpennine Express Price
£39
Transpennine Express frequency
6 a day
Luggage included
2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone
Complete guide to Durham
Things to do in Durham
Discover the best of Durham — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Durham trip today.
- Recommended
Oriental Museum
University museum with collections from ancient civilisations to world cultures. Compact, varied and easy to combine with a cathedral visit.
- Recommended
Palace Green Library
Gallery and museum at Palace Green with changing exhibitions and displays connected to Durham’s history, books and university collections.
- Must visit
Palace Green
Historic square between cathedral and castle, framed by university buildings. A key place to pause for architecture and city atmosphere.
- Recommended
Durham Riverside Walk
Riverside walk circling the old centre through wooded banks and classic viewpoints. Ideal for Durham’s most photogenic views.
- Recommended
Wharton Park
Wooded hilltop park with panoramic views across Durham, especially towards the cathedral and castle. Popular with locals for quiet walks.
Durham Sausage
A seasoned pork sausage from County Durham, traditionally eaten with pease pudding. It is a well-known regional butcher’s staple in the North East.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Pease Pudding
A smooth savoury spread of boiled yellow split peas, long associated with North East ham and stottie sandwiches and traditional local lunches.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Stottie Cake
A dense round North East bread roll, classic with ham and pease pudding. It is a regional bakery icon rather than a standard British bap.
Coarse
Refined modern British tasting menus in an intimate city-centre dining room. Ideal for a special meal with polished, understated service.
The Cellar Door
Stylish bistro and bar serving modern British dishes and cocktails in a lively riverside setting near Durham’s historic centre.
Bistro Citron Vert
Long-running restaurant known for dependable French and British cooking in a warm, traditional setting popular with locals and visitors.
Pound sterling (£)
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly reasonable for visitors.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple lunch.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Go North East
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £2.50
- Day pass
- £6.00
To the city centre
Durham Railway Station -> Market Place, Durham
- Distance
- 1 km
- Travel time
- 15 min
- Adult single bus fares in County Durham are capped at £2.50, and the Durham Day Rover is £6.00 from 1 April 2026.
- Day tickets can be bought on the bus, on operator apps, or by contactless payment where supported by the operator.
FAQs: Chester to Durham train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chester to Durham 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 Durham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
The cost of a train ticket from Chester to Durham can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £39, while the average price tends to be around £56.
The train journey from Chester to Durham covers a distance of 196 km and takes approximately 3h 2m. Trains run 6 per day.
The train distance from Chester to Durham is 196 km.
The first train from Chester to Durham leaves at 3:51.
The last train from Chester to Durham departs at 23:04.
Trains from Chester to Durham run approximately 6 times per day.
Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Chester to Durham.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Chester to Durham.
There is no night train service from Chester to Durham.
The train station in Chester that goes to Durham is Chester station (CTR), and it arrives at Durham station (DHM).
Booking trains from Chester to Durham in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Chester to Durham offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with scenic views of the English countryside, including rolling hills and charming villages, particularly as you travel through the Pennines.
Yes, you can take the train from Chester to Durham.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Chester and Durham
Most Chester to Durham trains use the Chester to Durham station pair. Use this guide to compare Chester and Durham train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Departure train stations in Chester
Arrival train stations in Durham
Which Chester station do trains to Durham leave from?
Trains from Chester to Durham leave from Chester. The station is 1 km from Chester city centre at Chester Station, City Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3NS.
ChesterChester Station, City Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3NS+44 3450507080
City-centre transport
Getting to Chester from Chester city centre
Chester is 1 km from Chester city centre. Public transport options include:
Bus100, 16 · 4m · £4 · every ~2 min
Chester train station facilities and services
Chester has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Chester.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
ATMs are available at Chester.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Chester. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 03333 211202, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Chester: Parking, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Chester: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Chester: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A. Step free access is available to all platforms via lifts, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, 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.
Which Durham station do trains from Chester arrive at?
Trains from Chester to Durham arrive at Durham. Durham is 1 km from Durham city centre.
DurhamDurham station, North Road, Durham, County Durham, DH1 4RB+44 345 722 5333
City-centre transport
Getting to Durham from Durham city centre
Bus2, 9, 12, 12B · 3m · £1 · every ~12 min
Durham train station facilities and services
Durham has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Durham.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
ATMs are available at Durham.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Durham.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Durham: Parking, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Durham: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Durham: 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 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.
More options for your journey from Chester to Durham
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Durham and Chester
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