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Cheap train tickets from Cardiff to Durham

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Cardiff to Durham Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Cardiff to Durham. Traveling by train from Cardiff to Durham usually takes 8 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest CrossCountry train can make the trip in 5 hours and 46 minutes.

Distance237 mi (381 km)
Fastest train5h 46m
Lowest price$213.95
Most frequent serviceArriva Trains Wales + Connections
Train lines3

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Which train should you take from Cardiff to Durham?

There are 3 train lines with service from Cardiff to Durham. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Arriva Trains Wales + Connections27h 59m$213.95
CrossCountry28h 35m$213.95
CrossCountry + Connections16h 57m$213.95
  • Arriva Trains Wales + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Durham start from $214, and on average cost . Daily there are 2 Arriva Trains Wales + Connections schedules to Durham. Arriva Trains Wales + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Durham trains arrive at Durham Train Station .

    From Cardiff to Durham train travel on Arriva Trains Wales + Connections takes 7 hours and 59 minutes. If you are looking to get to Durham faster, Arriva Trains Wales + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 46 minutes.

  • CrossCountry operates an extensive rail network in the U.K., centered in Birmingham. In standard class, passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms. Trains also contain a small café or a trolley that passes through the carriages. An upgrade to first-class gives passengers more legroom and complimentary food. The journey from Cardiff to Durham usually takes about 8 hours and 35 minutes on a CrossCountry train. There are 2 trips on this route every day, and 0 daily trips on weekends.

  • CrossCountry + Connections train tickets from Cardiff to Durham start from $214, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 CrossCountry + Connections schedules to Durham. CrossCountry + Connections in Cardiff leaves from Cardiff Central . And in Durham trains arrive at Durham Train Station .

    From Cardiff to Durham train travel on CrossCountry + Connections takes 6 hours and 57 minutes. If you are looking to get to Durham faster, CrossCountry + Connections offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 46 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Cardiff to Durham

The distance between Cardiff and Durham is approximately 237 miles, or 381 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 1 minute, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 46 minutes.

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Cardiff to Durham. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Cardiff at 12:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Durham to Cardiff.

City Information

Cardiff

Cardiff, UK - GBJCN-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Cardiff, UK - GBJCN-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Cardiff, UK - GBJCN-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, as well as its largest city. Although the city was initially founded as a Roman fort, Cardiff has glided effortlessly into the 21st century, offering tourists a diverse mix of old and new.

Looking to explore the city's history? Cardiff Castle at the heart of the city makes for an exciting day out, where visitors can learn about the fascinating 2,000 years of history that the castle represents.

If the castle gets you in the mood to explore more history, the St Fagans National Museum of History will surely satisfy your historical appetite. As one of Europe's leading open-air museums, the museum offers historical attractions that detail history back to the Celtic era.

For those seeking a more modern experience, Cardiff boasts a fantastic selection of shops and cafes, with Cardiff Central Market as the top choice for retail therapy.

Cardiff has excellent transport links, making it an easy place to visit no matter where you're coming from. Cardiff Airport provides access for visitors traveling from off the island, while high-speed rail services make access to and from London simple. Cardiff Central Station also offers direct routes from Bristol, Bath, Manchester, Nottingham, as well as other main cities and towns.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Cardiff?

Cardiff Central  - GBJCNGBREZ2-0

Image credit: Hugh Llewelyn

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Cardiff Central

Cardiff Central Station is the largest and busiest rail terminal in Wales and one of two primary train stations in Cardiff. A registered historic building, it first opened in 1850 but is known for its art deco concourse and north entrance, both added in the 1930s. Most facilities are in the main concourse, including ATMs, food outlets, and a newsagent. Transport for Wales operates services to south, central, and north Wales, while Cross Country runs hourly services to Gloucester, Birmingham, and Derby. Great Western operates the route to London Paddington via Bristol Parkway.

All train stations in Cardiff:

  • Cardiff Central

Where is the train station in Durham?

Main arrival station: Durham Train Station

Durham has one train station.

All train stations in Durham:

  • Durham Train Station

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