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York to Darlington trains
Date & time
Passengers
Take a relaxing train up North
Relax and watch the beautiful scenery of England's North East fly past the windows as you speed between York and Darlington.
With LNER, not only will you arrive feeling ready for the day ahead thanks to our comfy seats and range of refreshments, but you'll also have that little bit extra spending money left in your pocket.
Average travel time
0h 27m
Distance
43 miles
Today's train times
Upcoming direct journeys for York to Darlington trains
Things to do in Darlington
History buffs will love Darlington! Home to Stephenson's 'Locomotion No.1' - the oldest engine of its kind in the world - you can also explore buildings from the 1550s, bridges from the 1820s, and markets proudly in use since Victorian times.
Hidden Darlington
Darlington is known for its bridges but one of its secret gems is George Stephenson’s tunnel in Arnold Road. Built in 1824, its original purpose was to let cows pass under the railway line. Nowadays it’s humans who walk through the tunnel which still supports a major road. Discover for yourself the ingenuity of one of our greatest inventors.
George Stephenson’s tunnelCalling all petrolheads
If you fancy some high speed action then Croft Circuit, just to the south of Darlington, can provide a day of thrills and spills with races all year round. Situated on an old airfield, the two-mile long circuit sees many events including meetings of the British Touring Car Championship, British Rallycross and Pickup Truck Racing series.
Croft CircuitRetail therapy
There’s no shortage of great shopping in Darlington town centre. In fact, there are over 500 stores. This includes a number of independent retailers selling fresh, local food. There are also excellent clothing shops where you’ll find something a bit different from the usual high street chain. We’d recommend a trip to the Victorian covered market where Saturdays and Mondays are always bustling. Head for the Cornmill shopping centre for big brand names.
Cornmill shopping centre
Hidden Darlington
Darlington is known for its bridges but one of its secret gems is George Stephenson’s tunnel in Arnold Road. Built in 1824, its original purpose was to let cows pass under the railway line. Nowadays it’s humans who walk through the tunnel which still supports a major road. Discover for yourself the ingenuity of one of our greatest inventors.
George Stephenson’s tunnelCalling all petrolheads
If you fancy some high speed action then Croft Circuit, just to the south of Darlington, can provide a day of thrills and spills with races all year round. Situated on an old airfield, the two-mile long circuit sees many events including meetings of the British Touring Car Championship, British Rallycross and Pickup Truck Racing series.
Croft CircuitRetail therapy
There’s no shortage of great shopping in Darlington town centre. In fact, there are over 500 stores. This includes a number of independent retailers selling fresh, local food. There are also excellent clothing shops where you’ll find something a bit different from the usual high street chain. We’d recommend a trip to the Victorian covered market where Saturdays and Mondays are always bustling. Head for the Cornmill shopping centre for big brand names.
Cornmill shopping centre

Get a little extra with your journey
Not only will you never pay a booking fee when you book your ticket with LNER, you can also sign up for LNER Perks.
When you sign up for Perks, you'll get:
Get £5 free to spend on your next journey
2% back on all LNER journeys
Download the LNER app or find out more about LNER Perks and sign up today.
How to book cheap tickets for a York to Darlington train
Book your York to Darlington train in advance
Buying your York to Darlington train tickets at least four weeks in advance ahead of your travel date can save you up to 47%* on on-the-day train ticket prices.
Buy a Standard Advance ticket through the LNER website and app at least four weeks before you travel, and you'll save up to * compared to buying any Standard ticket on the day of travel.Book in advanceSave 1/3 on your train from York to Darlington with a Railcard
A Railcard is a discount card that allows you to save money on train travel throughout Great Britain, which often offers 1/3 off the cost of your train tickets on most routes.
RailcardsUse our Deal Finder for the cheapest York to Darlington trains
Access the best train fares between York and Darlington easily with the LNER app. Use Deal Finder to find the lowest prices on train tickets by simply entering your travel details. It's your shortcut to easier and more affordable travel!
Get the LNER App
Book your York to Darlington train in advance
Buying your York to Darlington train tickets at least four weeks in advance ahead of your travel date can save you up to 47%* on on-the-day train ticket prices.
Buy a Standard Advance ticket through the LNER website and app at least four weeks before you travel, and you'll save up to * compared to buying any Standard ticket on the day of travel.Book in advanceSave 1/3 on your train from York to Darlington with a Railcard
A Railcard is a discount card that allows you to save money on train travel throughout Great Britain, which often offers 1/3 off the cost of your train tickets on most routes.
RailcardsUse our Deal Finder for the cheapest York to Darlington trains
Access the best train fares between York and Darlington easily with the LNER app. Use Deal Finder to find the lowest prices on train tickets by simply entering your travel details. It's your shortcut to easier and more affordable travel!
Get the LNER App
* Saving average based on all Standard Advance tickets bought on the LNER website and App at least four weeks before you travel vs buying any Standard ticket on the day you travel.
Take the train to Darlington from York with LNER
Taking the train from York to Darlington is quick and easy with LNER.
Covering a distance of 43 miles, our trains to Darlington from York take just 0h 27m.
Once on-board, you'll be able to order food directly to your seat, browse the internet with free Wi-Fi, and charge your phone with a plug at every table.
And for a more luxurious York to Darlington train journey, travel First Class – with wider seats, complimentary food and drinks, and use of our York and Darlington First Class lounges.
Related FAQs
Are there direct trains between York and Darlington?
Are there direct trains between York and Darlington?
Yes, there are direct LNER trains from York to Darlington, a trip that normally takes around 0h 27m.
During the week, there are approximately 33 direct LNER trains per day between 06:35 and 00:41.
Which rail lines go through Darlington?
Which rail lines go through Darlington?
Darlington station is managed by LNER, with LNER, CrossCountry, Northern Rail and TransPennine Express rail lines running through it.
Can you buy a Season Ticket between York and Darlington?
Can you buy a Season Ticket between York and Darlington?
At this time, Season Tickets are not available for this journey.
Do you offer a student discount on train tickets?
Do you offer a student discount on train tickets?
We don't offer a student discount however, you can purchase a 16-25 Railcard and save 1/3 on train tickets.
How can I apply for compensation if my train is delayed or cancelled?
How can I apply for compensation if my train is delayed or cancelled?
Cancelled train
In the rare event that your train is cancelled, we offer full refunds (assuming you don't take an alternative train). Be sure to apply for the refund within 28 days of the cancelled journey date.
If you meet these conditions, follow these steps for your refund:
- Swipe down the page and click on ‘Amend journey’ or ‘Request a refund’
- Notify us of the reason for the refund request by pressing 'My train was cancelled' and then ‘Continue’
- Enter your details and submit your request
Already collected your tickets or had them posted to you?
If you’ve already received your printed tickets, you'll need to fill in our Change of Plans form and follow the instructions included.
Was your train delayed by at least 30 minutes?
On our Delay Repay page, you can learn about compensation if your train is delayed. For future LNER journeys, book through our website or app, then choose One-Click Delay Repay to ensure claiming for a delayed journey is as easy as possible.