Durham Tees Valley Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Teesside International Airport is near Darlington, not Durham: a taxi to Durham city centre takes 40-45 minutes and public transport takes over an hour, so anyone with a dawn or late-night flight is better off staying in the Sedgefield countryside, about twenty minutes from the terminal. Those after the Cathedral, the University and Durham's historic centre find the best choice there, even though it's nearly 40 km from the airport. For those travelling by car, south of Durham, near the A1(M), there's a quiet alternative among meadows and woods.

Sedgefield, countryside near the airport

Airport area · Taxi in about 20 minutes from the terminal; Durham city centre, on the other hand, takes 40-45 minutes by taxi or over an hour by bus and train via Darlington.

Best for: for those with a very early or very late flight who'd rather stay near the terminal than travel to Durham.

Pros

The closest to the terminal among the areas in this guide, handy for off-hours flights
120-acre park and Rib-Room Steakhouse restaurant on site

Cons

No direct public link with the airport, a car or taxi is needed
Durham's historic centre remains 40-45 minutes away by taxi

Recommended hotels in this area

Hardwick Hall Hotel: Hotel in a 120-acre park in Sedgefield, the closest among the areas in this guide to the Teesside terminal, with the Rib-Room Steakhouse restaurant.

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Durham, historic centre

City centre · About 40 km from the Teesside terminal: the taxi takes 40-45 minutes, public transport (bus plus train via Darlington) over an hour.

Best for: the choice for those aiming for the Cathedral, the University and centre life, without worrying about the 40 km from the airport.

Pros

A few minutes' walk from the Cathedral, the Castle and the University
Pedestrian area with pubs, restaurants and evening life all year round

Cons

The transfer from the airport is the longest among the areas in this guide
Hotel parking limited during graduation weekends and other university events

Recommended hotels in this area

Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County: An 1815 building on the banks of the River Wear, a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral, with an indoor pool and a gym open round the clock.
Hotel Indigo - Durham by IHG: In the historic Old Shire Hall building, 400 metres from the Cathedral, with a Marco Pierre White steakhouse and a small private car park.

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South Durham, countryside and A1(M)

Neighbourhood · About 35 km from the Teesside terminal, like Durham's centre; 2 minutes from the A1(M) junction 61 and about 10 minutes' drive from Durham's centre.

Best for: for those travelling by car who prefer a quiet base outside the city, still close to Durham's centre.

Pros