Cheap train tickets to York

York is one of the most-visited cities in Great Britain. It welcomes over 8 million visitors a year wanting to soak up the history that lies within the famous city walls. It has a rich railway history, and many visitors choose to come by train. So, how do you get cheap train tickets to York? We’ve come up with some hints and tips to help.

How do I get cheap train tickets to York from London?

If you’re travelling from London to York you have plenty of train options available, with at least two departures every hour. But how do you get the prices down? 

Grand Central fares are often the lowest, especially if you book a week in advance, so it’s always worth comparing the fares well before of you plan to travel.

If you prefer LNER trains, you can find cheaper tickets by choosing trains that terminate in York. These services run 5 times per day from Monday to Saturday and may take a little longer, but they are cheaper than other LNER services.

Finally, the price of train travel is far lower on Fridays, and there are no peak restrictions on trains leaving London Kings Cross. If you’re travelling mid-week, think about returning on a Friday morning for a potentially cheaper fare.

I want to come from Manchester on a budget

To travel cheaply from Manchester to York by train, the simple answer is to go with Northern Rail. Be sure to select Manchester Victoria as your starting point when using the Railsmartr website to plan your trip.

Look out for the two Northern logos and a snail symbol when booking. While it may be a bit slower, the price difference can be substantial.

Northern Rail also tends to offer cheaper ‘Advance’ fares up until shortly before the train’s departure, making them a great option for spontaneous trips booked on the way to the station.

Getting cheap train tickets to York from Leeds

Just like with Manchester, your best call is usually to travel with Northern if you’d like to save some money on a return trip at short notice. As it’s just a short distance away, you may not be booking months in advance.

If you’re returning on the same day, it’s often cheaper for a return on any Northern train after 09:29 weekdays (anytime weekends and Bank Holidays).

If you’re making a one-way trip (or returning on a different day), then it can vary a lot. Northern is still usually the cheapest, but TransPennine Express aren’t too far behind if you book a few days in advance. 

Just be careful where you see the snail symbols for a York to Leeds trip. These trains go via Harrogate and take much longer. Unless you’ve bought a day return and want to stop off there (a York to Leeds return is valid via Harrogate) then there’s no reason to book these trains.

Are there any cheaper options for coming from Newcastle?

When it comes to getting cheap train tickets to York from Newcastle, it can depend on what sort of trip you’re doing. The good news is that there are three operators on this route, and they’re all keen for your business!

If you want some flexibility, then TransPennine Express are the cheapest for a day return (valid after 09:29). If you’re returning on the same day, buying two ‘Advance’ singles won’t save you much over the day return if you’re booking a week in advance.

Sadly, the general rule is that this is a busy route and prices can be high. If you’re planning a day trip on a weekend, you’ll want to book as far in Advance as you can for the best price. We’d also recommend travelling before 9am, as these trains tend to be cheaper.

There is one final option though, which might suit you if you’re flexible on where you start your journey. 

An Anytime Return from nearby Sunderland to York on Grand Central can offer better value than travelling out of Newcastle. With this ticket you can travel on any of their trains and come back within a month. It takes around 1h40m to travel on this route and there are around six trains per day each way.

What can I do in York?

Great question! We’ve put together a handy guide with lots of things that you can get up to on a day trip to York.

Whether you’re looking to visit the National Railway Museum or the Minster, there’s something for everyone.

Just don’t forget to choose Railsmartr when you book your train tickets. We’ll show the slower (but cheaper!) trains that some websites won’t, and we don’t charge any fees if you need to change or refund your tickets.

_{^{All fare references stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and are subject to change at any time and Railsmartr are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}