ISEMPH - Travel Information

Travel Information

WHERE IS DURHAM?

Durham is in the northeast of England close to the border with Scotland. It is about three hours by train from London and a about a five-hour drive from there. The weather in August could be anything from the mid-teens Centigrade as a daytime maximum (in the 60s Fahrenheit) to a high of 25-30 degrees C (high 80s Fahrenheit). Rain is a ubiquitous feature in England and that is certainly true for the northeast of the country. We recommend bringing layers of clothing, a light raincoat in case and definitely an umbrella (but also some sunscreen just in case we are lucky for the week of ISEMPH 2024). Public buildings in Durham University mostly have air conditioning but this is unlikely in the college rooms but the windows can be opened. The hotels on the list will likely have air conditioning.

GETTING TO DURHAM BY PLANE:

Recommended: The closest regional airport to Durham is Newcastle International Airport which is an approximate half hour drive from Durham. Newcastle Airport has several links to Europe and the Middle East so that it should be easy for people to get flights from their departure cities either directly or with one major stop (if coming from the USA for example).

Getting to Durham from Newcastle Airport: Newcastle Airport is about a half-hour car or taxi drive from the centre of Durham. Several taxi companies make this trip at reduced rates compared to picking up a taxi at the airport and can be called ahead of time to book a journey. If you provide your flight details, they will check if you are on time before leaving for the airport and would meet you in the Arrivals area. You could also request an Uber which would cost a minimum of £45 one way.

Alternatively, there is a Metro system of trains connecting Newcastle Airport to Newcastle Train Station and from there you can take an overland train to Durham Station. Trains to Durham from Newcastle Train Station leave frequently and cost approximately £11. Trains can be pre-booked using National Rail Planner or Trainline. However, since planes can be late, we recommend you book your train on the day online once you are on the Metro and know your approximate arrival time at Newcastle Station. Train tickets can also easily be bought from ticket machines at Newcastle train station.

2^nd choice: The second closest airport to Durham is Teesside International Airport located between Darlington and Stockton on Tees some 25 miles south of Durham University. Darlington train station which has trains to Durham approximately every 20 minutes is a short taxi drive away (3.7 miles). Teesside Airport is smaller than Newcastle Airport with its major hub being in Amsterdam, but this does mean it is very easy to navigate. However, flights to and from here tend to be somewhat more expensive than Newcastle.

If you choose this option, take a taxi from the airport to Darlington and then a train to Durham City.

London Airports: Alternatively, participants could fly to one of London’s major airports (Heathrow (left hand picture, or Gatwick, right hand picture) and then take a train to Durham. However, King’s Cross (the departure train station for Durham in London) is about a 40-minute tube ride from Heathrow see the tube map on the left (it is even farther from London Gatwick which is not on the tube network), followed by a three-hour train ride to Durham. London flights are, however, a good option if you plan to spend some time in the Capital City first and are likely to be cheaper than flying to Newcastle. (Please note that Stansted or Luton Airports are at some distance from London and are not easy to travel to and from if wanting to reach Durham directly).

GETTING TO DURHAM OVERLAND:

TRAIN: Durham is connected to several major cities of England and Scotland. Trains take about three hours to or from London and arrive and depart from King’s Cross Station. The train company serving London from Durham is LNER and can be booked ahead of time using National Rail Planner or Trainline. Check these sites for information about trains from other cities. Trains in the UK are expensive but are a lot cheaper if booked significantly ahead of time (this doesn’t apply for a short local journey such as Newcastle to Durham). Fares (one-way and/or round trip) from London to Durham can range anywhere from £50 to over £200 depending on the time of day and how far in advance you book a ticket.

BUS/COACH: There are buses/coaches to Durham from London (Victoria Station) that take six and a half hours for the journey (with stops) but cost £20. Journeys can be booked here. National Express also operates coaches from other major cities.

BY CAR: Durham is about a 5-hour car journey from London if you hire a car. The quickest route is probably via the M1. You can of course plan your journey from other places using Google Maps.

LOCAL TRAVEL WITHIN DURHAM: Durham is a small city and is easy to walk around if you are an enthusiastic walker. It is, however, very hilly so be warned. The train station is about a 20-minute walk from central Durham (up and down hills). Taxis take about 3 minutes and there are usually cabs waiting outside the train station for riders. Uber rides can also be used in Durham but not Lyft.

Local buses run within Durham City and can take you to the top of Church Street near campus and the Conference venue. If you are staying at the Marriott or the Hotel Indigo, take either the 56 bus or the 58 or X12MAX buses from the Three Tuns Bus Stop on New Elvet Street and get off at the top of Church Street (ask the bus driver if you are not sure). One of these buses should come every 15 minutes. If you are staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel, walk 7 minutes to the main train station at Milburngate (Stand K) and take one of these same buses from there. You will need cash to pay for the bus fare. Local bus timetables and information can be found here or here.

If you have any physical disability and require a regular ride to the conference venue, please get in touch with the Conference Hosts at ISEMPH2024Hosts@durham.ac.uk to request assistance in arranging this.

MAP OF THE CITY: You can download a map of Durham City here.