- Recommended
Bassetlaw Museum
Local history museum inside a historic townhouse. Exhibits cover Retford's civic past, industries, and everyday life in an accessible central setting.
Cheapest price on Sep 23
€13
Average ticket price on Sep 23
€16
Fastest journey on Sep 23
38 m
Average journey duration on Sep 23
39 m
Trains on Sep 23
2
Distance
71 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from York to Retford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from York to Retford will cost around €16 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €13.
On Wed, Sep 23, we found 2 trains from York to Retford, including 2 direct services.
On Wed, Sep 23 the direct trains cover the 71 km distance in an average of 39 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 38 m .
On Wed, Sep 23 the slowest trains will take 39 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 York to Retford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €30 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 6m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €30, while a train costs an average of €30.
Distance: 44 miles (71 km)
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
€30 Average price Cheapest | €16 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 6m Average total duration Fastest 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 39m sooner (36m by train vs 1h 15m by car). Tickets start at around €30 compared to roughly €16 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with London North Eastern Railway.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for York to Retford trains for today, Tuesday, September 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:37 PM York | 0h38 | 8:15 PM Retford | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 8:31 PM York | 0h36 | 9:07 PM Retford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:05 PM York | 0h50 | 9:55 PM Retford | 1 transfer | |
| Wednesday, September 23 | |||||
![]() | 10:27 AM York | 0h38 | 11:05 AM Retford | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:27 AM York | 0h39 | 12:06 PM Retford | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train 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 York to Retford run on average 6 times per day, taking around 36m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €22 if you book in advance.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:40, the last at 23:16. The fastest train covers the 44 miles (71 km) distance in 31m.
Distance 44 miles (71 km) |
Average train duration 36m |
Cheapest ticket price €22 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 31m |
First train 4:40 AM |
Last train 11:16 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Retford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Retford trip today.
Local history museum inside a historic townhouse. Exhibits cover Retford's civic past, industries, and everyday life in an accessible central setting.
Family home museum of the Pilgrim Fathers leader William Brewster. A major Mayflower heritage site with period rooms and strong historical significance.
Museum at an RAF heritage site with aircraft displays and wartime interpretation. Popular with history enthusiasts visiting the wider Retford area.
Retford's central square, known for markets and civic life. It is the best place to experience the town's historic core and everyday atmosphere.
Popular town-centre park with lawns, play areas, and sports facilities. It is a relaxing green space and a favourite with local families.
Waterside walking route with boats, locks, and wildlife. Ideal for a gentle stroll and one of Retford's most enjoyable outdoor experiences.
A soft cows' milk blue cheese made in nearby Nottinghamshire. Creamy, mellow and historic, it is one of the county's best known traditional foods.
A classic Nottinghamshire pork pie linked to nearby market towns. It has seasoned pork in hot water crust pastry and is a staple of local fairs and pubs.
A hearty roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy. It is a beloved Sunday pub meal across Retford and the wider region.
Well known local cafe and deli serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and homemade cakes in a casual daytime atmosphere.
Popular Indian restaurant in Retford with a long standing reputation for curries, tandoori dishes and friendly service.
Established town centre pub and restaurant known for British classics, steaks and ales in a relaxed historic setting.
Moderate for England. Hotels, dining, and local buses usually cost less than major UK cities, but more than many small towns abroad.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Retford Railway Station -> Retford Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from York to Retford 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 Retford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most York to Retford trains use the York to Retford station pair. Use this guide to compare York and Retford train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
York has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at York.
Wi-Fi is available at York. ATMs are available at York.
Ticket office support is available at York.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at York: Parking, WC.
Available at York: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at York: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: No advance booking is required but it will reduce the waiting time for a wheelchair access Taxi, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible machines are available on the main concourse, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Retford has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Retford.
Ticket office support is available at Retford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Retford: Parking, WC.
Available at Retford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Retford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Advance booking is advisable, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need