Book your train tickets to York

Home to more than 200,000 people and attracting almost 9 million  visitors a year, York is a brilliant city that's packed with fun things to do with friends and family. The historical ruins, quirky shopping streets and a range of markets are among the reasons for its popularity, but there's plenty more to discover when you visit York.

One of the easiest ways to travel to York is by train, with the station conveniently located less than a mile from attractions like York Minster and popular retail shops. If you need to book a train ticket to York, Grand Central can help.

Our budget-friendly fares, simple booking process and range of onboard facilities are just some of the reasons you can trust us for your journey to York.

Find out more about booking your train to York with Grand Central today using our guide below. This includes information about the types of train tickets and what you can do once you arrive.

How to find your train tickets to York

We've made it easier for you to find cheap train tickets to York, so you can travel in comfort and get more affordable prices for your peace of mind. Here are some tips to help you get the best-value tickets when you visit York in the future.

Ticket types

• Advance

Booking ahead of time gives you the best chance of securing the cheapest train tickets to York. These are known as Advance tickets and they offer savings of up to 80%. They're often available up to six months in advance but there are limited numbers available. Just pick a specific day and time to travel and you could get to York when you want for a budget-friendly price.

If you're a student, you can save an additional 25% when you book an Advance ticket and you can combine that with your Railcard for a bigger discount. You'll just need a valid student email address ending in ac.uk to qualify for this.

• Off-peak

Not bound to a specific time when you travel? This flexibility could help you save, with Off-peak train tickets to York sometimes being cheaper than standard fares. These tickets tend to be valid outside of rush-hour times, which means you won't get caught up in the commuter crowds and will have more chance of securing a seat.

• Anytime

If you're looking for total freedom of travel, Anytime tickets are for you. These can be used on any valid trains to York, so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about having to get a specific train.

Other ways to save

Try our Group Travel discount if you're visiting in a group of 10 or more people to save when you travel. Be sure to nab a Railcard as well to save 1/3 on most train tickets to York and the rest of the UK for an entire year.

What facilities are on board Grand Central trains to York?

You'll want to arrive rested and ready to enjoy your day out in York and these trains offer the comfort you need for that.

If you're feeling peckish, our food and drink menu is filled with tasty options including sandwiches, snacks and a range of hot or cold drinks. You can also catch up on your favourite podcasts or do some last-minute prep for work using our free onboard Wi-Fi. 

We have First Class carriages if you're after enhanced transport to York too. Reclining seats, extra legroom, and complimentary snacks and drinks come as standard with these tickets.

Are there regular train times to York?

There are several Grand Central trains to York every day, so we're confident there will be one that suits your diary. The amount of trains to York depends on the location you're travelling from, so use our planner to see how frequent they are.

When looking at train times, keep an eye out for the logo for our services to York. You can get the latest information on the trains to and from York by checking our timetables.

Popular train routes to York

York is one of the most popular cities in the north of England, which means there are plenty of routes to get you here via rail. Here are some of the most popular:

Route	Average time
London to York	1hr 56min
Hartlepool to York	1hr 14min
Northallerton to York	31min

What to do in York

Filling your time in York is easy, with fun activities around almost every corner of the city centre.

History buffs will be spoilt for choice. Take a stroll around the York City Walls, head to the JORVIK Viking Centre to see what the city would've looked like in 975AD or visit York Minster to marvel at the magnificent cathedral on a site that's been attracting visitors for over 1,000 years.

Foodies are in for a treat too, with York being home to a huge number of restaurants serving up cuisines from around the world. Little Italy is a haven for Italian food lovers, No.1 by GuestHouse provides a terrific afternoon tea and Legacy at The Grand offers an eight-course tasting menu for a culinary experience to savour.

York is home to plenty of independent shops too, including The Shop That Must Not Be Named – highly popular among Harry Potter lovers.

If any of this sounds up your street, book a rail ticket to York today and experience it all. Don't forget to download our app to check live train times and timetables for added convenience.