Durham to York train with Transpennine Express

Trains from Durham to York

Trains start running from Durham to York usually as early as 05:00. There are a number of trains running this connection throughout the week, with three to four trains departing Durham Station each hour. On Saturdays, the trains run on a similar timetable as throughout the weekdays, beginning from around 05:00. On Sundays, the first train departs at 08:00 and the final train generally sets off just before 22:00.

Durham to York Train Time: Daily Departures

During the week, you will find an average of 79 trains travelling between Durham and York. Departures begin at around 05:00, and the final train leaves the station at around 23:00. On Sundays, you can find approximately 47 services connecting Durham to York, beginning from roughly 08:00 in the morning and stopping at roughly 22:00. The service to York is quite frequent; you can find three to four trains journeying every hour.

How long is the journey by train from Durham to York?

The distance of approximately 60 miles (97 km) between Durham and York can be covered in roughly 44min to 1h 15min. The trains run direct, no changeover required, and most generally reach York in under 1 hour. Disparity in travel times depends on the number of stops between the two cities.

castle and bridge in Durham. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Durham to York?

Departure train station: You will depart from Durham Station. It is located a roughly 10min walk from the centre of the city. In the station, you can find cash points, public payphones and toilets, a post box as well as refreshment facilities.

Arrival train station: You will arrive at York Railway Station. The city centre of York can be reached by car, bicycle or on foot from York Station; the walk to the centre takes only 10-15min. Within the station, you can find public toilets, cash points and a number of shops. There is also free public WiFi and, if you are travelling with a lot of luggage, there are trolleys at your disposal.

Which train companies travel from Durham to York?

Between Durham and York, CrossCountry, Transpennine Express and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) all connect the two cities. The train company CrossCountry has the highest pricing of tickets, while Transpennine Express and LNER are relatively similar in their pricing. CrossCountry also services the fastest train journey between Durham and York, at around 44min per journey. All three train companies travel directly; no changeover will be required.

Night trains Durham

Unfortunately, the trains generally only run as late as 23:00 between Durham and York. Catching the last train in the evening will have you arriving in York at around 00:15. You can also catch the train in the very early morning, at about 05:00, and this will get you to York by around 06:00. If you are commuting to York for work, there are a number of trains travelling in the morning that will arrive in the city between the hours of 06:00 and 09:00.

CrossCountry trains from Durham to York

CrossCountry has the fastest service between Durham and York. Its service runs around 18 trains a day and the journey lasts approximately 45min. The first train with CrossCountry departs at around 07:00, and its final train is usually just before 22:00. For more information on CrossCountry trains, click here.

Transpennine Express trains from Durham to York

Transpennine Express trains run about 16 times a day, beginning at approximately 05:20 with the final departure at around 21:15. Its train tickets are often the cheapest and, like the other train companies running this service, its trains run directly between Durham and York. It offers the option of standard or first class, as well as different fare options such as day tickets for off-peak hours.

London North Eastern Railway trains from Durham to York

London North Eastern Railway services the first train of the day, departing Durham station at roughly 05:00. It also services the final train of the day, at about 23:00, and runs the most trains connecting the two cities, with an average of 20 departures heading to York throughout the day.

Trains from Durham to York: Sustainability travel

Catching the train from Durham to York is a more eco-friendly form of travel than driving the distance between the two cities by car. London North Eastern Railway has been working on lowering their carbon footprint, and Transpennine Express has previously been awarded the Sustainability and Environmental Excellence Award. If you are looking for ways to live more sustainably, check out the article on sustainability in our magazine, The Window Seat, found on the Omio site.

Train Durham to York: Services on Board

On board your train to York from Durham, you can find free WiFi, power points to charge your phone or laptop and food for purchase. There is a maximum of three items of luggage per passenger; this includes two large pieces of luggage and one small item of luggage. There are overhead storage facilities on the train, and if you have pets you wish to bring with you, each passenger has an allowance of two animals for no extra charge. These pets must be kept on leashes or in carriers for the duration of the journey. There are services available for the elderly or disabled, if they require assistance for their journey. This includes assistance on and off the train, wheelchair accessibility and aid with locating their seat. The services offered by different train providers may vary, so it may be of benefit to take a look at their websites for further information.

How to find cheap train tickets from Durham to York?

You can find cheap train tickets for your journey from Durham to York by searching through the Omio website. The site will let you know which train has the cheapest tickets as well as which train service travels the fastest. Booking in advance will also help you save money; booking in person at the ticket office on the day of travel will likely cost you more than booking online. It also helps to be flexible with your date and time of travel, as busier times of the day can often cost that bit extra. Some train companies offer cheaper tickets for services running on off-peak hours.

Cityscape of York at night . Source: Shutterstock

To York by train—travel tips

If you are planning to visit York for a day trip or, better yet, stay a few nights, the city certainly has a lot to offer. With many places to walk, you can find yourself at York city walls, structures that once protected the city in Roman times. You can take a guided tour or simply walk the length yourself at your own pace. Or visit the Breezy Knees Garden, hosting 20 acres of over 7,000 flower varieties. York is cut through by the River Ouse; if you're up for more walking, follow the river and it will take you to Clifford’s Tower. The tower lies on a hill that offers some of the best views of York Minster.

• Take a walk down the Shambles and have a drink at Ye Old Shambles Tavern
• Discover York’s history with chocolate, the birthplace of Terry’s
• Relax and watch a movie in one of the numerous cinemas
• Take a tour of the breweries
• Get lost in the York Maze, made of maize