Getting Around, York Travel, Transport and Car Rental
(York, North Yorkshire, England, UK)
The city of York is well served by the public transport system, which includes an excellent network of buses and trains, providing with good links with Yorkshire and England. York is located close to many other interesting towns, cities, tourist attractions and important landmarks, and many visitors choose to travel into the surrounding areas on day trips.
Renting a car is often the preferred method of transport for excursions from York and it is relatively easy to explore the area by car. There are a number of major roads situated on the outskirts, such as the A64 to Pickering and the North York Moors National Park (north-east) and the A19 to Selby (south).
Airports / Arriving by Air
York is served by a number of airports, the closest and most convenient of which are
Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA), Newcastle International Airport (NCL) and
Birmingham International Airport (BHX). London airports, including
Heathrow Airport (LHR),
Gatwick Airport (LGW),
Stansted Airport (STN) and
London City Airport (LCY) are also within easy travelling distance of Bath, by either train, coach or car.
Car Rental
Although central York can get congested during the peak rush hours (07:30 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 18:00), driving is and around the city centre is fairly easy. Several central roads are either one-way only, but are always well-sign posted. York is well served by many large roads and motorways, and these provide fast routes to nearby towns, cities and surrounding Yorkshire countryside. Those heading in a south-westerly direction to Leeds can simply follow the A64, all the way into the city centre.
Parking in York city centre can prove expensive, although most local guest houses and hotels have access to parking. Park and Ride facilities are available at:
- Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride - Rawcliffe
- Askham Bar Park and Ride - Woodthorpe
- Designer Line Park and Ride - Middlethorpe
- Grimston Bar Park and Ride - Heslington
- Monks Cross Park and Ride - Huntington
Buses and Coaches
Address: York Travel Bus Information Centre, 20 George Hudson Street, York, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 551400
With bus stops located throughout York, the bus system covers the city well. Buses are well used by both tourists and locals in York, providing a very inexpensive and convenient way to get around. Bus passes are available and these can provide good value. Many local and regional buses leave from outside York Train Station. The Travel Bus Information Centre has comprehensive bus schedule information and sells both local and regional bus tickets.
York also has an excellent national coach service and this is operated by National Express. Tickets for coaches can be purchased at the Tourist Information Centres and coaches travel to a large number of destinations, including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds and London. National Express coaches depart from outside the Train Station.
Trains
Address: York Train Station, Station Road, York, YO24 1AA
Tel: +44 (0)1904 621756
Open in 1877, the York Train Station is spectacular masterpiece of Victorian engineering, which was once the largest train station in Europe. This large, curving building is built from a mixture of brick, glass and iron and is over a quarter of a mile long. The Train Station is well served by trains and there are regular train services that travel to London's King's Cross (two hours and ten minutes), Edinburgh (two hours and 30 minutes),
Peterborough (one hour and 50 minutes), Birmingham (two hours and 30 minutes), and numerous other destinations, including Cambridge, East Anglia, Manchester, the south-west of England and Wales. Advance seat reservations on trains can be booked if required.
Taxis
There are a number of different taxi companies operating in the York area and it is possible to large six-seater taxis and also mini-buses if required. Taxis in York are one of the most convenient ways to travel around the area and are not uniform in colour, although all cabs display a prominent sign on their roof. Usually reasonably priced, taxis can either be hailed in the street or at one of the many ranks, such as Duncombe Place, Piccadilly, St. Saviourgate, Exhibition Square or outside of the Train Station. In quieter areas of the city, taxis can be ordered by telephone and there are numerous reputable firms that your hotel can recommend.
Bicycles
There are also a number of excellent cycle trails and pathways throughout central York, next to the River Ouse, which is particularly attractive. Bikes can be rented from several centrally located outlets, either by the day or by the week.
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