Day Trips in York by Train

With its cobbled streets, medieval walls and centuries of history to enjoy, York is one of England’s most interesting cities. It’s a destination that blends the old and new, and a city that holidaymakers flock to during their exploration of Northern England. There’s a range of ways to enjoy York, but train travel is certainly one of the most effective and affordable, especially when it comes to day trips. Northern Railway routes mean you can take it easy, enjoying scenic day trips to coastlines, moorlands, market towns and historic landmarks in the surrounding areas. 

Below, we’ve taken a look at day trips in York and why train travel is the ideal way to get there.

York is a city that’s well connected by rail, thanks to Northern Railway and its connection to various North England travel routes. From London King’s Cross, high-speed trains reach York in around two hours, running frequently throughout the day. It’s also easily reachable from Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds.

If you're flying into the UK, York is a short journey from several major airports, including Manchester Airport, with trains running frequently throughout the day. You can also get to York from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, using train travel in London to board a direct service north.

Train travel in York

The main train station is York Station, which is a 10-minute walk from the city center, and close to attractions like the City Walls and National Railway Museum. It boasts cafes, ticket machines, a waiting lounge and toilets, with taxis and buses available outside the station, taking you elsewhere around the city.

Northern Railway in York

Northern Railway is one of the main train operators serving York, connecting the city with other popular destinations like Leeds, Harrogate, Scarborough, Sheffield, Hull and the North York Moors. Trains from York run frequently and reliably, especially during peak hours, and services are modern, clean and comfortable. Train travel in York also includes the Esk Valley Line, which passes through forests, moorlands and stone villages to Whitby.

Though there are a lot of day trips in York, you don’t have to leave the city to explore some of the tourist hotspots. 

York Minster

York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, with stained glass and a tower you can climb for panoramic views.

National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum is a must-visit for all ages, featuring iconic trains, including royal carriages and the famous Mallard.

Walk the City Walls

If you’re taking a break from train travel in York, stroll along the preserved medieval walls for scenic views and a sense of York’s history.

York Art Gallery

York Art Gallery boasts an impressive collection of historic and contemporary works, plus ceramics and rotating exhibitions.

Join a Ghost Walk

York is known for being one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and evening ghost tours provide a mix of history and spooky storytelling.

Have afternoon tea at Bettys

Betty’s Team Room has been a York institution since the 1930s, so make sure to find time to indulge in traditional cakes and tea, all in an elegant, quintessentially Yorkshire setting.

With train travel in York being as impressive as it is, and with Northern Railway offering a wide range of routes, day trips are easy to navigate.

Castle Howard 

Castle Howard is a stately home set in idyllic parkland, with luxurious interiors, gardens, lakes and multiple seasonal events. It’s the ideal day trip from York for lovers of history, architecture or period dramas. By taking the train from York to Malton, which takes approximately 25 minutes, and then hopping on a bus from Malton Station, you can be in Castle Howard in under an hour.

Hogsmeade

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, a day trip from York to Hogsmeade is a must. Hogsmeade, which, outside of the Wizarding World, is known as Goathland Station, offers a gateway to sweeping views, heather covered hills and quaint villages. There’s even a steam railway for you to enjoy. You can reach Goathland Station and enjoy Hogsmeade as a day trip from York. By taking the train from York Station to Malton and then jumping on the bus to Goathland, you can be there in around two hours.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

If you’re interested in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a day trip from York to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is a wonderful way to spend the day. It boasts medieval abbey ruins and 18th-century water gardens, providing a peaceful and scenic escape that's steeped in history. Enjoy wandering the grounds, exploring the space and tucking into a British staple, a picnic. Use the Northern Railway network to go from York Station to Knaresborough, and then jump in a taxi for the last leg of the journey.

Whitby

Ask any York local which day trip to choose, and there’s a high chance they will say Whitby. A characterful seaside town with a gothic abbey, quaint streets and literary connections to Dracula, it’s easy to see why Whitby is such a popular day trip from York. You can get to Whitby via train from York. The journey takes between 2 and a half to 3 and a half hours, with a change in Middlesbrough. London North Eastern Railway, TransPennine Express or CrossCountry all provide routes.

Book your train travel in York via Northern Railway and explore everything York, the surrounding areas and the North of England have to offer. Head over to Trip.com and use code NORTHERNUK2025* to get 10% off UK train tickets for day trips from York and other UK cities.

*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.

Check out some of our other UK travel blogs, where we delve into North England travel and day trips from York and many of the UK’s other busy cities.

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Day trips in Liverpool by train

Day Trips in Newcastle by Train

Day Trips in Sheffield by Train

Day Trips in Manchester by Train