- Must visit
Jorvik Viking Centre
Immersive museum built on the site of major Viking-age excavations, with reconstructed streets and archaeological finds. One of York’s signature attractions and very popular with visitors.
Cheapest price
$20
Average price
$55
Fastest journey
4 h 55 m
Average duration
5 h 27 m
Buses per day
24
Distance
280 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from London to York is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to York will cost around $55 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $20.
Of the 24 buses that leave London for York on Sun, May 31, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct buses cover the 280 km distance in an average of 5 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 55 m .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest buses will take 5 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX591 · YC843
NX426 · YC843
NX436
NX561
NX561
FlixBus
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to York among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $6. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 3m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $6, and a flight costs an average of $82.
Distance: 173 miles (280 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$31 Average price Cheapest | $82 Average price | $248 Average price | $92 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 11m Average total duration 4h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 31m Average total duration 3h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.8 - 1.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from London to York:
A bus is $50 (€40) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to York costing on average $82 (€66).
A bus is $216 (€174) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to York costing on average $248 (€200).
Other travel options to York take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 1m.
Bus takes on average 4h 41m.
Tickets start at around $31 (€25) compared to roughly $92 (€74) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $61 (€49). The journey takes 4h 41m versus 4h 19m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 03:03PM | Duration 6h33 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 03:49PM | Duration 6h19 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 05:42PM | Duration 6h42 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 9h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 06:41PM | Duration 6h11 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 11h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:46PM | Duration 6h16 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:35PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 08:42PM | Duration 6h42 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 08:42PM | Duration 6h12 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:32PM | Duration 6h02 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 01:30AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 11:22PM | Duration 5h52 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:10PM | Arrival Time 01:30AM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 08:01AM | Duration 8h31 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 6h31 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 08:27AM | Duration 8h28 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $26 |
The table below shows live departures for London to York buses for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX561 · YC840 | On time 11:00 AM London, Victoria Coach Station | 6h25 | 5:25 PM York, Station Rd | 1 transfer | |
NX561 · YC843 | On time 1:30 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 6h16 | 7:46 PM York, Station Rd | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:35 PM London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant) | 8h55 | 10:30 PM York, Train Station | 1 transfer | |
NX561 · YC843 | On time 2:30 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 6h12 | 8:42 PM York, Station Rd | 1 transfer | |
NX561 | 3:30 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 5h20 | 8:50 PM York, Station Rd | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 5:30 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 8h00 | 1:30 AM York, Train Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:10 PM London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant) | 7h20 | 1:30 AM York, Train Station | 1 transfer | |
NX561 | 6:30 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 5h20 | 11:50 PM York, Station Rd | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX436 | 11:00 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 4h55 | 3:55 AM York, Station Rd | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:59 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 6h31 | 6:30 AM York, Train Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:59 PM London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant) | 6h31 | 6:30 AM York, Train Station | 1 transfer | |
NX466 · YC843 | On time 11:59 PM London, Victoria Coach Station | 9h54 | 9:53 AM York, Station Rd | 1 transfer | |
| Sunday, May 31 | |||||
FlixBus | 8:00 AM London, Victoria Coach Station | 6h15 | 2:15 PM York, Train Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 8:25 AM London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant) | 5h50 | 2:15 PM York, Train Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX591 · YC843 | 8:30 AM London, Victoria Coach Station | 6h23 | 2:53 PM York, Station Rd | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from London to York run on average 12 times per day, taking around 4h 41m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $6 (€5) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 173 miles (280 km) distance in 4h 55m.
Distance 173 miles (280 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price $6 (€5) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 4h 55m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of York — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect York trip today.
Immersive museum built on the site of major Viking-age excavations, with reconstructed streets and archaeological finds. One of York’s signature attractions and very popular with visitors.
Large social history museum inside former prison buildings, known for recreated Victorian streets, everyday objects, and strong local storytelling.
One of Britain’s great transport museums, displaying historic locomotives, royal carriages, and engineering highlights. Especially strong for families and rail enthusiasts.
York’s best-known historic street, lined with leaning medieval buildings and busy independent shops. A classic stop for first-time visitors.
A scenic walking route along the medieval walls with elevated views over streets, towers, and the Minster. One of the city’s best free experiences.
Pleasant central park combining riverside greenery, abbey ruins, and museum access. Popular for walks, photos, and relaxed breaks.
The region’s best-known speciality: a baked batter pudding traditionally served with roast beef and gravy as part of a Sunday roast.
Cured, mild ham associated with the city and traditionally served sliced cold or with Madeira-style sauce on classic menus.
A sticky Yorkshire ginger cake made with oats, treacle and syrup, especially linked with autumn and Bonfire Night.
A highly regarded contemporary small-plates restaurant blending British ingredients with global influences in an intimate setting.
A famous York pub and dining venue known for craft beer, hearty food and a characterful medieval interior.
An iconic York institution known for afternoon tea, Fat Rascals, cakes and elegant traditional service in a historic setting.
Moderate by UK standards. Pubs and cafes are reasonable, but central hotels and tourist-area dining cost more.
Service charge is uncommon. Tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Round up taxis. No tip needed for pubs unless table service.
Official public transport app
York Rail Station -> York City Centre
Rich in Roman and Viking heritage and surrounded by contemporary independent shops, York is an attractive city for a short break. With several departures from the heart of London direct to York in as little as five hours 25 minutes, National Express makes visiting the Yorkshire city easy. Whenever passengers decide to travel, they can expect three departures per day from the UK's largest provider of bus travel.
Only one company operates the London to York route: National Express. As the leading provider of bus travel across the UK, National Express offers passengers a comfortable travel experience, with personalised air conditioning, comfortable seating and spacious legroom. Many of the buses across their fleet also give passengers access to free WiFi, so they can stream and surf while they travel.
Journey times can vary slightly depending on whether passengers are traveling during peak commuter times when traffic is most congested. The fastest journey is the late-night departure with a journey time of five hours 25 minutes. The longest advertised journey time is 20 minutes more at five hours 45 minutes.
Each day, National Express offers three buses from London to York. Passengers have a choice of morning, lunchtime or late-night departures, with the last traveling through the night to arrive in York before 5:00 a.m. the following morning. Services continue throughout the weekend with no change to journey time or the departure schedule.
Departure bus station: All buses depart from London Victoria bus Station, which is London's busiest bus station. Victoria is found nestled in the heart of Westminster, a short walk from many tourist attractions including St. James's Park. Travel to and from the station is easy with numerous bus links. Victoria train station is a short five-minute walk away and has links to the London Underground on several lines. Station facilities include several shops and dining options, as well as toilets and baby change facilities.
Arrival bus station: All services terminate at York, directly in the centre of town, opposite the rail station for easy onward travel. The bus station facilities are very minimal, but the proximity from the train station and the town centre should allow passengers access to anything they may need.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London to York by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at York, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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