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.
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Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Preston to Sunderland
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Sunderland among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £28 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 51m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £28, while a train costs an average of £98.
Distance: 153 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£98 Average Price | £28 Average Price Cheapest | £32 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 51m Average total duration Fastest 3h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration 5h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare ways to travel from Preston to Sunderland
Compare the available ways to get from Preston to Sunderland, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
The cheapest way to travel from Preston to Sunderland is a coach with an average price of £28.
This is compared to other travel options from Preston to Sunderland:
A coach is £70 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Sunderland costing on average £98.
The fastest way to travel from Preston to Sunderland is by train with an average journey time of 3h 51m.
Other travel options to Sunderland take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 32m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Preston and Sunderland including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.
Tickets start at around £98 compared to roughly £32 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -£66. The journey takes 3h 21m versus 2h 45m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom Preston to Sunderland
How to get to Sunderland from Preston by train, bus, flight or ferry.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Preston to Sunderland is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
22:35 12h45 Preston 11:20 Sunderland £29 1 One-way 0 changes
Cheapest
22:35 12h45 Preston 11:20 Sunderland £29 1 One-way 0 changes
Fastest
22:35 12h45 Preston 11:20 Sunderland £29 1 One-way 0 changes
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries
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Best day trips from Sunderland by train
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.
Day trip from Sunderland to York by train
Why visit York for the day?
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.
Day trip from Sunderland to Middlesbrough by train
Why visit Middlesbrough for the day?
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.
Day trip from Sunderland to Darlington by train
Why visit Darlington for the day?
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.
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FAQs: Preston to Sunderland
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 Preston to Sunderland.
There are 2 options to travel between Preston and Sunderland including taking a train and coach.
The cheapest way to travel from Preston to Sunderland is a coach with an average price of £28.
This is compared to other travel options from Preston to Sunderland:
A coach is £70 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Sunderland costing on average £98.
The fastest way to travel from Preston to Sunderland is by train with an average journey time of 3h 51m.
Other travel options to Sunderland take longer:
Coach takes on average 5h 32m.
The Preston to Sunderland distance is approximately 153 km.
The average frequency per day from Preston to Sunderland is:
- Around 4 trains per day.
- Around 3 coaches per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Preston and Sunderland as scheduled services by train and coach can vary by season or day of the week.
These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Preston to Sunderland:
- Trains mostly depart from Preston station (PRE) and arrive in Sunderland station (SUN).
- Coaches mostly depart from Preston, Bus Station and arrive in Sunderland, Interchange.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Preston to Sunderland, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
- Travel with Northern Rail, Transpennine Express, London North Eastern Railway to go to Sunderland by train.
- Travel with National Express to go to Sunderland by coach.
Omio customers who travel from Preston to Sunderland often also extend their vacation to go to London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Middlesbrough. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Sunderland and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from Preston to Sunderland, you can choose from several travel options including train and coach.
A 2 to 3-day visit to Sunderland is typically sufficient to explore its main attractions, including the Sunderland Museum, Winter Gardens, and Roker Beach, while also allowing time to enjoy local dining and shopping experiences.
Travelling from Preston to Sunderland: related information
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