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Low prices found by our customers
Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Sunderland by train

It takes an average of 3h 34m to travel from London to Sunderland by train, over a distance of around 240 miles (387 km). There are normally 15 trains per day travelling from London to Sunderland and tickets for this journey start from £28 when you book in advance.

First train

06:48

Last train

20:00

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Sunderland

Journey time

From 3h 16m

Distance

240 miles (387 km)

Frequency

15 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £28

Train operators

London North Eastern Railway, Grand Central Railway

How to travel from London to Sunderland by train

Want to find out more about taking the train from London to Sunderland? Look no further.

You'll usually find 14 trains per day running between London and Sunderland, which usually take 3 hours 33 minutes to complete the 240 miles (387 km) journey. It can take as little as 3 hours 16 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. As soon as you board the train, you'll be able to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the journey as there are direct services available. London North Eastern Railway trains are the main operator of services on this route, so you're likely to travel with them for all or at least part of your journey to Sunderland.

Train travel is significantly better for the environment than other modes of transport, such as car and plane. In fact, you save 67% on CO2 emissions when you choose train over car*.

Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from London to Sunderland start from £23.50 when you book in advance. Travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard can also help you save.

Keen to book your train tickets to Sunderland? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable with live train times above, and tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs further down the page.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Sunderland? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Sunderland take?

The average journey time by train between London and Sunderland is 3 hours and 34 minutes, with around 15 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Sunderland by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Sunderland is 3 hours and 16 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Sunderland cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Sunderland can start from as little as £28 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Sunderland?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Sunderland without having to change trains. There are 15 direct trains from London to Sunderland each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Sunderland leave?

The first train from London to Sunderland leaves at 06:48. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Sunderland leave?

The last train from London to Sunderland leaves at 20:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Sunderland by train?

Trains travelling from London to Sunderland cover a distance of around 240 miles (387 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Sunderland to London.

Cheap train tickets from London to Sunderland

Train tickets from London to Sunderland start at £28 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Sunderland is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Why should I travel by train from London to Sunderland?

If you want to travel from London to Sunderland, choose the more sustainable option - choose train!

Go green

Taking the train instead of driving lowers your CO2 impact by a whopping 70%.* Keep it simple, keep it low-carbon.

Save time & money

What's faster or cheaper than driving from London to Sunderland? Ah yes, that'd be the train. Cheaper even without a Railcard, too. Win for you. Win for the planet.

Bikes on board

In the UK, you can take your bike on the train, for free! Cool, huh? And, thanks to our bike reservation feature, travelling with your bike has never been easier.

Travel in style

Unlike flying or driving, going by train means no extra luggage charges or parking costs. Plus, you step off the train, right into the city-centre. Aaaand relax.

* Calculations are based on CO2 / passenger km, comparing an average petrol car, using statistics and conversion factors published in the government’s greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors published 7 June 2023 and revised 28 June 2023. See here for more.

Between London and Sunderland, 85% of journeys sold on Trainline from May 2022 to May 2023 were cheaper and faster by rail vs car.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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