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Officially known as Kingston upon Hull, the city of Hull sits on the river bearing the same name in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The port city is known for its maritime history, white telephone boxes, and cool sights. Day trips in Hull offer a unique blend of history, scenic parks, and exciting cultural attractions. The city was even recognized as the UK City of Culture in 2017.
Seeing this delightful city for yourself is simple. Northern’s extensive rail network covers more than 500 stations and has frequent services, meaning you can visit from just about everywhere. We’ll cover trains to Hull from London and nearby airports, some of the best things to do and see in the city, and day trips you can take to explore other destinations in the region.
Train travel in Hull
Frequent trains and operators serve Hull from stations across the UK seven days a week. Book these trains to Hull if you’re traveling from the airport or the capital.
Train stations in Hull
Hull train station, or Hull Paragon Interchange, is a well-connected transport hub offering rail, bus, and coach services. It’s a stone’s throw from the city center, and you can get to many attractions in under 15 minutes, like the Ferens Art Gallery, Hull New Theatre, and Paragon Arcade. Trains are operated by Northern, Hull Trains, TransPennine Express, and London North Eastern Railway (LNER). Destinations include York, London, Manchester, and Liverpool, with scenic routes to enjoy. The journey from Hull to Scarborough offers coastal and rural views as the train passes through the countryside and market towns.
Trains from the airport to Hull
Located 15 miles (24 kilometers) away, Humberside Airport is the nearest airport to Hull. Connections to the rail network from the airport are available thanks to the c4 bus, which runs every two hours and takes about eight minutes to reach Barnetby station. Change at Doncaster for a Northern train to Hull. Fares start from £5.00.
If you’re flying into Leeds Bradford Airport, you’ll need to catch a connecting bus: the FLYER A1 to Leeds or the FLYER A2 or FLYER A3 to Bradford. Direct Northern services run from Bradford Interchange (1 hour and 42 minutes) or Leeds (1 hour and 10 minutes). Train tickets cost about £8.00.
Trains from London to Hull
Direct trains to Hull operate from London Kings Cross, taking roughly 2 hours and 34 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around £35.00 when booked in advance.
Things to do in Hull
From modern sights and events to journeys back in time, Hull is a fascinating city, whether you prefer the old or the new. Check out these spots and see how the city has been shaped by its past, present, and future.
Places to visit in Hull
Just 12 minutes away from Hull station is the city’s Old Town, a quaint district with cobbled streets, Georgian architecture, and plenty of landmarks like the Hull Minster. You’ll also come across free museums such as the Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology, where visitors can uncover amazing natural history collections. Dine and drink at Hearth restaurant and bakery, Hitchcock's for vegetarian and vegan food, or The George Hotel, one of the city's oldest surviving pubs. Look out for the tiny slit on the front, containing the smallest glazed window in England which was once used by the establishment's porter to look out for stagecoaches and customers.
Hull has many quieter parts of town, including East Park - the city’s largest green space - and the stunning marina on the edge of the city center. Take a walk around the calming, revived waterfront or stop by one of the bars and bistros along the quay, like The Minerva or Tapasya @ Marina.
A list of attractions for day trips in Hull wouldn’t be complete without the Humber Bridge, an iconic structure that was previously the longest suspension bridge in the world. Right next to the bridge is Humber Bridge Country Park. Dubbed “Little Switzerland” by locals, it features 21 hectares of woodland and grassland trails along with sculptures, 22 species of butterflies, and amazing views of the bridge. A farmers’ market runs on the first Sunday of every month. Northern trains take seven minutes to reach Hessle station, a 13-minute walk away from the bridge and park.
Hull events
Hull is a great city for festivals and events, including the Humber Street Sesh in August, celebrating local independent music. Hull Jazz Festival hosts summer and winter editions in July and November, as well as events throughout the year.
Kids will love The Big Malarkey Festival, a children’s literature event held in June. If you’re around in mid-October, don’t miss the Hull Fair, one of Europe’s largest traveling fairs dating back to the 13th century. Held on Walton Street (about 30 minutes away from Hull station), the fair has more than 250 rides and attractions.
Day trips from Hull
With a prime location in the East Riding of Yorkshire, day trips from Hull by rail give you direct access to picturesque coastlines, outstanding natural beauty, and quaint market towns. Read on for our recommendations in the surrounding area.
York
History buffs will adore York and its ancient city walls. Steeped in Viking history, York also has Roman origins and well-preserved sights. Booking a cruise along the River Ouse is a great way to learn all about the city’s past. Marvel at the York Minster, a magnificent cathedral made of handcrafted stone and medieval stained glass. The Shambles is a superb shopping area with timber-framed buildings, local products, and delicious street food. The cheapest Advance fares from Hull are £9.00, and trains take around 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Leeds
Get to the unofficial capital of Yorkshire for as little as £8.00. Northern trains take just over an hour to arrive in the city. Leeds has no shortage of local landmarks, such as the Craft Centre & Design Gallery and Leeds Cathedral in the city center. Shop in style at the many shopping malls and stunning arcades, from the Cross Arcade to the Corn Exchange. For natural treasures, head to Roundhay Park or the incredible ruins of Kirkstall Abbey and the nearby parkland along the River Aire.
Yorkshire Wolds
No need to head south to the Cotswolds - the North has its own, with miles of gently rolling hills, cozy inns, and idyllic towns and villages. The area has many destinations with public transport access. The nearest is Hessle, a seven-minute train ride costing about £2.00. From here, you can walk part of the Yorkshire Wolds Way to South Cave, passing vast, breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and the charming village of Welton.
Another popular location is Driffield, the so-called capital of the Wolds. Trains are about £3.00 and take approximately 28 minutes. Middle Street has delightful independent shops and more well-known stores. You could also catch a bus here to Fimber and hop on the Yorkshire Wolds Railway, a heritage railway attraction. Visitors can even drive the locomotive.
The North of England has a great, easy-to-navigate rail system. Northern train services are your link to hundreds of unmissable destinations, stretching from Northumberland to Merseyside, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and other regions. For affordable North England travel, set up alerts to buy cheap train tickets as soon as they’re available, and purchase a Railcard to save 1/3 off fares. Use the code NORTHERNUK2025 for an additional 10% discount on Northern rail journeys*.
*Offer valid on Northern services only until December 31, 2025, for new registered Trip.com users outside the United Kingdom. This offer can be used in combination with flash sale discounts, welcome offers, and Railcard discounts.
- Train travel in Hull
- Things to do in Hull
- Day trips from Hull
- More UK travel blogs
