- 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
$23
Average price
$32
Fastest journey
5 h 40 m
Average duration
6 h 50 m
Buses per day
4
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 $32 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $23.
Of the 4 buses that leave Birmingham for Darlington on Fri, Jul 31, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 31 the direct buses cover the 228 km distance in an average of 6 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 40 m .
On Fri, Jul 31 the slowest buses will take 7 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.








Omio 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 prices starting from $13. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 55m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $13, and a train costs an average of $38.
Distance: 141 miles (228 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$27 Average price Cheapest | $75 Average price | $72 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 25m Average total duration 4h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 25m Average total duration Fastest 2h 55m 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 $48 (€40) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Darlington costing on average $75 (€62).
Other travel options to Darlington take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 55m.
Tickets start at around $27 (€22) compared to roughly $72 (€59) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $45 (€37). The journey takes 4h 55m 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 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $13 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:55PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $23 |
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Darlington buses for today, Thursday, July 30. 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 | |
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 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $13 (€11) 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 4h 55m.
Distance 141 miles (228 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $13 (€11) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 4h 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 Sun |
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need