- Must visit
Hopetown Darlington
Major railway museum on the original Stockton and Darlington Railway route. Exhibits, locomotives, and restored buildings explain Darlington's rail legacy.
Cheapest price on Sep 14
$23
Average ticket price on Sep 14
$34
Fastest journey on Sep 14
4 h 55 m
Average journey duration on Sep 14
5 h 10 m
Buses on Sep 14
2
Distance
228 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Birmingham to Darlington is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Darlington will cost around $34 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $23.
It's difficult to get from Birmingham to Darlington without transferring at least once.
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX131 · NX591
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX131 · NX591Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Darlington among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $38 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 16m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $38, while a train costs an average of $122.
Distance: 141 miles (228 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$38 Average price Cheapest | $122 Average price | $74 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 52m Average total duration 4h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 16m Average total duration Fastest 2h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 59m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Darlington:
A bus is $84 (€68) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Darlington costing on average $122 (€99).
Other travel options to Darlington take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 22m.
Tickets start at around $38 (€31) compared to roughly $74 (€60) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $36 (€29). The journey takes 4h 22m versus 2h 59m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Megabus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $25 |
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Darlington buses for today, Sunday, September 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:00 AM Birmingham | 7h50 | 3:50 PM Darlington | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:55 AM Birmingham | 4h55 | 2:50 PM Darlington | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Birmingham to Darlington run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 22m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 (€10) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 22:03. The fastest bus covers the 141 miles (228 km) distance in 3h 55m.
Distance 141 miles (228 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 (€10) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 3h 55m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 10:03 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 4 days |
Discover the best of Darlington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Darlington trip today.
Major railway museum on the original Stockton and Darlington Railway route. Exhibits, locomotives, and restored buildings explain Darlington's rail legacy.
University arts venue nearby with contemporary exhibitions, installations, and events. A good choice for modern art in the wider Darlington area.
Roman fort and archaeology museum a short trip from Darlington. Finds, reconstructions, and river views make it a strong regional heritage visit.
Historic town centre street lined with shops and civic buildings. It is central to exploring Darlington's market character and Victorian urban fabric.
Traditional covered market area with surrounding lanes and street life. It is ideal for soaking up local atmosphere in a compact historic setting.
Large town park with formal gardens, a café building, aviary area, and bandstand. It is one of Darlington's best-loved green spaces for a stroll.
A Teesside takeaway classic: chicken in a creamy béchamel-style sauce with chips. It is strongly associated with nearby Middlesbrough and the wider area.
A rich North East beef and vegetable broth, slowly cooked with pearl barley or split peas. It is a traditional working-class staple in County Durham homes.
Layered potatoes, onions and cheese baked until golden. A beloved North East comfort dish, often served in pubs and homes across Durham and Teesside.
Well-known traditional pub venue serving cask ales and hearty British favourites in a historic, characterful atmosphere.
Established town-centre restaurant known for polished British and European cooking in a smart yet relaxed setting.
Popular Indian restaurant with a strong local reputation for classic curries, attentive service and a comfortable modern dining room.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and trains are manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis; cafes usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) -> Darlington Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Darlington by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Darlington, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Birmingham to Darlington buses use the Birmingham, Coach Station to Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) station pair. Use this guide to compare Birmingham and Darlington bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Birmingham, Coach Station is 1 km from Birmingham city centre. Public transport options include:
Birmingham, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria and fast-food options inside the station
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham, Coach Station.
Available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway. ATMs are available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway.
Available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway: Bus stops are wheelchair accessible.
Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Restaurants available nearby.
Available at the station. ATMs are available within walking distance.
Ticket office support is available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre).
Available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Darlington, Feethams (Dolphin Centre): Wheelchair accessible.
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