
Day trip from Sunderland to Durham by train
Why visit Durham for the day?
Durham is best known for its Norman cathedral and castle above the River Wear. The city feels historic and compact, with old streets and a lively university atmosphere.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Plymouth to Sunderland among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £55 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 30m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £55, while a flight costs an average of £583.
Distance: 537 km
Most popular Train | Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£137 Average Price | £583 Average Price | £55 Average Price Cheapest | £105 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 39m Average total duration 7h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 30m Average total duration Fastest 4h 30m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 13h 41m Average total duration 13h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare the available ways to get from Plymouth to Sunderland, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Plymouth to Sunderland:
A coach is £82 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Plymouth to Sunderland costing on average £137.
A coach is £528 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Plymouth to Sunderland costing on average £583.
Other travel options to Sunderland take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 39m.
Coach takes on average 13h 41m.
You'll arrive about 2m sooner (7h 9m by train vs 7h 11m by car). Tickets start at around £137 compared to roughly £105 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
How to get to Sunderland from Plymouth by train, bus, flight or ferry.
The best way to travel from Plymouth to Sunderland is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

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Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare 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.
The most popular day trips by train from Sunderland are Durham, York, Middlesbrough and Darlington. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Sunderland on Omio.

Durham is best known for its Norman cathedral and castle above the River Wear. The city feels historic and compact, with old streets and a lively university atmosphere.

York is known for its Roman and Viking heritage, medieval streets and the imposing York Minster. Its compact centre, old walls and busy mix of shops, pubs and museums make it easy to grasp the city's historic character.

Middlesbrough is a Teesside town known for its industrial roots, especially steelmaking and the Transporter Bridge. Its Victorian centre and MIMA gallery give it a practical, cultural character with easy access to nearby moorland.

Darlington is a County Durham market town known for its railway heritage and Quaker history. A compact centre, Victorian architecture and green spaces give it a grounded northern character.
Travel to Sunderland easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Plymouth to Sunderland.

This is compared to other travel options from Plymouth to Sunderland:
A coach is £82 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Plymouth to Sunderland costing on average £137.
A coach is £528 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Plymouth to Sunderland costing on average £583.
Other travel options to Sunderland take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 39m.
Coach takes on average 13h 41m.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Plymouth and Sunderland as scheduled services by can vary by season or day of the week.
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