- Must visit
National Science and Media Museum
World-leading museum of photography, film and television with major galleries, exhibitions, and IMAX. One of Bradford’s essential cultural visits.
Cheapest price
€2
Average price
€2
Fastest journey
32 m
Average duration
32 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
15 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Ilkley to Bradford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ilkley to Bradford will cost around €2 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €2.
Of the 1 trains that leave Ilkley for Bradford on Wed, Aug 12, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 12 the direct trains cover the 15 km distance in an average of 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 32 m .
On Wed, Aug 12 the slowest trains will take 32 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.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Ilkley to Bradford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €2. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 32m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €2, and a bus costs an average of €5.
Distance: 9 miles (15 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€2 Average price Cheapest | €5 Average price | €4 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 2m Average total duration Fastest 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 31m Average total duration 2h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ilkley to Bradford:
A train is €3 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Ilkley to Bradford costing on average €5.
Other travel options to Bradford take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 1m.
The journey is about 4m faster (32m by train vs 36m by car) and roughly €2 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€2 vs €4). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Northern Trains Limited.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Ilkley to Bradford trains for today, Tuesday, August 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:18 PM Ilkley | 7h36 | 6:54 AM Bradford | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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.
Trains from Ilkley to Bradford run on average 6 times per day, taking around 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €2 if you book in advance.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:46, the last at 23:20. The fastest train covers the 9 miles (15 km) distance in 32m.
Distance 9 miles (15 km) |
Average train duration 32m |
Cheapest ticket price €2 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 6 |
Fastest train 32m |
First train 5:46 AM |
Last train 11:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Bradford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bradford trip today.
World-leading museum of photography, film and television with major galleries, exhibitions, and IMAX. One of Bradford’s essential cultural visits.
A small museum and archive devoted to the author of Wuthering Heights. Valuable for literary pilgrims exploring the Brontë connection near Bradford.
Art gallery and civic museum in Lister Park, known for Bradford collections and David Hockney works. A strong introduction to local culture and art.
UNESCO World Heritage village of grand mills, workers’ housing, and riverside walks. Bradford’s most celebrated historic district and a must-see area.
Elegant quarter of Victorian warehouses and merchant buildings. Great for architecture walks and understanding Bradford’s commercial golden age.
Large Victorian park with boating lake, formal gardens, and space for events. A favorite local green escape paired well with Cartwright Hall.
A rich slow-cooked lamb or mutton curry linked to Bradford's South Asian heritage and famous curry-house culture.
A fragrant rice dish layered with spiced meat or vegetables, widely enjoyed in Bradford's Pakistani and Indian communities.
A crisp semolina and syrup sweet popular in Bradford's Asian sweet shops, especially for celebrations and family gatherings.
Refined dining room in the city centre offering modern British tasting menus and polished service for a special meal.
Celebrated Kashmiri restaurant known for authentic curries in a simple, bustling setting. A Bradford institution.
Well-known for grilled meats, curries and generous portions in a casual setting loved by Bradford locals.
Budget-friendly for UK city breaks, with lower hotel, dining, and local transport costs than London, Manchester, or Edinburgh.
Service is often included at some restaurants; otherwise 10-12.5% is typical for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafes is optional.
Official public transport app
Bradford Interchange -> Bradford City Park, Bradford
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ilkley to Bradford by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bradford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Ilkley to Bradford trains use the Ilkley to Bradford Forster Square station pair, with some services arriving at Frizinghall. Use this guide to compare Ilkley and Bradford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Ilkley has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Ilkley.
Ticket office support is available at Ilkley.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ilkley: Parking.
Available at Ilkley: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ilkley: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Scooter Friendly Station - Level access to both platforms, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: As per ticket office opening hours, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Bradford Forster Square has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Bradford Forster Square.
ATMs are available at Bradford Forster Square.
Ticket office support is available at Bradford Forster Square.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bradford Forster Square: Parking, WC.
Available at Bradford Forster Square: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bradford Forster Square: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station Scooter Friendly Station - There is level access to all the platforms and ramps are available. Lift available 06:00 - 19:00 Monday to Saturday, 09:00 - 18:00 Sunday, however there is an alternative accessible route without having to use lift, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Frizinghall is 3 km from Bradford city centre. Public transport options include:
Frizinghall has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Frizinghall.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Frizinghall: Parking.
Available at Frizinghall: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Frizinghall: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B station, Station is unstaffed. However no problems for disabled or wheelchair users as the access to the platforms is via the road and a ramp. Step free access from car park to platforms, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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