- Must visit
York Castle Museum
Social history museum in the former prison complex, famous for recreated Victorian streets and everyday life displays.
Cheapest price
$45
Average price
$72
Fastest journey
2 h 14 m
Average duration
2 h 14 m
Trains per day
46
Distance
260 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to York is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to York will cost around $72 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $45.
Of the 46 trains that leave Edinburgh for York on Sat, Jun 20, 42 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct trains cover the 260 km distance in an average of 2 h 14 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 14 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest trains will take 2 h 14 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.
G01164
G01168
G00913
G00846
G01167
G08185
G08179
G80054
G80050
G80068Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to York among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $30. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 36m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $30, and a bus costs an average of $30.
Distance: 161 miles (260 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$60 Average price Cheapest | $62 Average price | $113 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 6m Average total duration Fastest 2h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 36m Average total duration 5h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 12m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Edinburgh to York:
A train is $3 (€2) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Edinburgh to York costing on average $62 (€51).
Other travel options to York take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 6m.
The journey is about 1h 36m faster (2h 36m by train vs 4h 12m by car) and roughly $54 (€44) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($60 (€49) vs $113 (€93)). 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 London North Eastern Railway, CrossCountry, London North Eastern Railway Limited (LNER), Cross Country.
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 Edinburgh to York trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G08170 | On time 5:37 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h16 | 7:53 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C01968 | On time 5:50 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h38 | 8:28 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W29862 | On time 6:02 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h36 | 8:38 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02042 | On time 6:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 8:52 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G08175 | On time 7:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 9:14 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W29868 | On time 7:03 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h35 | 9:38 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02002 | On time 7:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 9:52 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G08180 | On time 8:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 10:14 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W29873 | On time 8:08 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h30 | 10:38 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02015 | On time 8:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h23 | 10:53 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G08186 | On time 9:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 11:14 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01148 | On time 9:05 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h34 | 11:39 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85785 · G15907 | On time 9:08 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h53 | 12:01 PM York station (YRK) | 1 transfer | |
C02006 | On time 9:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 11:52 AM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80049 | On time 10:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 12:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W29884 | On time 10:05 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h34 | 12:39 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85787 · G15922 | On time 10:08 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h53 | 1:01 PM York station (YRK) | 1 transfer | |
C01942 | On time 10:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 12:52 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80055 | On time 11:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 1:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01153 | On time 11:04 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h35 | 1:39 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02029 | On time 11:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 1:52 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80061 | On time 12:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 2:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01154 | On time 12:05 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h34 | 2:39 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85790 · C24965 | On time 12:08 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h54 | 3:02 PM York station (YRK) | 1 transfer | |
C02007 | On time 12:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h23 | 2:53 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80067 | On time 1:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 3:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01161 | On time 1:05 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h34 | 3:39 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02014 | On time 1:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 3:52 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80073 | 2:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 4:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W29909 | On time 2:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h34 | 4:38 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85793 · C24972 | On time 2:08 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h53 | 5:01 PM York station (YRK) | 1 transfer | |
C02046 | On time 2:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 4:52 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80080 | On time 3:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 5:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01166 | On time 3:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h35 | 5:39 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C01988 | On time 3:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 5:52 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02070 | 4:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 6:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01169 | On time 4:05 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h35 | 6:40 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85796 · C24979 | On time 4:08 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h53 | 7:01 PM York station (YRK) | 1 transfer | |
C02066 | On time 4:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 6:52 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80091 | On time 5:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h14 | 7:14 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G01170 | On time 5:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h35 | 7:39 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C01989 | On time 5:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h22 | 7:52 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G80097 | On time 6:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h15 | 8:15 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00842 | On time 6:04 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h33 | 8:37 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02062 | On time 6:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h32 | 9:02 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02033 | 7:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h27 | 9:27 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02017 | On time 7:25 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h35 | 10:00 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C02056 | On time 8:20 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h36 | 10:56 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C01960 | On time 9:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h59 | 11:59 PM York station (YRK) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and 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 Edinburgh to York run on average 9 times per day, taking around 2h 36m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $30 (€24) if you book in advance.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:25, the last at 23:50. The fastest train covers the 161 miles (260 km) distance in 2h 14m.
Distance 161 miles (260 km) |
Average train duration 2h 36m |
Cheapest ticket price $30 (€24) |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 9 |
Fastest train 2h 14m |
First train 12:25 AM |
Last train 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of York — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect York trip today.
Social history museum in the former prison complex, famous for recreated Victorian streets and everyday life displays.
Immersive archaeology attraction built around Viking-age remains, one of York’s signature experiences.
National collection of historic locomotives and railway engineering, widely regarded as one of York’s top free attractions.
York’s most famous medieval street, known for overhanging timber buildings and constant visitor interest.
Central riverside gardens with abbey ruins, lawns, and one of the city’s best places for a relaxed historic walk.
Green space beside York Minster offering classic cathedral views and a quieter break from the busy centre.
The county’s best-known speciality, a baked batter pudding traditionally served with roast beef and gravy in Yorkshire Sunday lunches.
A classic Yorkshire Sunday roast of beef, roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding; deeply associated with the region.
Cured ham traditionally linked to York, known for its mild flavour and historic association with the city’s butchery and curing trade.
Established fine dining restaurant from Tommy Banks, focused on seasonal tasting menus and refined Yorkshire produce.
Well-known riverside restaurant serving modern British food with strong Yorkshire ingredients in an elegant but relaxed setting.
Popular steak and cocktail venue known for quality meat, polished service, and a stylish brasserie atmosphere near the city walls.
Moderate by UK standards. Pub meals and attractions are manageable, but hotels and weekend dining cost more.
About 10-12.5% in restaurants if service is not included. Round up taxis. Small tips are optional in cafés, pubs, and for hotel staff.
Official public transport app
York Railway Station, York -> York Minster, York
The train connection between Edinburgh and York offers a convenient and scenic journey through the heart of England. Passengers can choose from several providers, including London North Eastern Railway, Cross Country, and Transpennine Express. With frequent services available throughout the day, travelers can enjoy comfortable seating and stunning views as they traverse this picturesque route. Whether you're heading for business or leisure, these trains provide an efficient way to explore two cities rich in history and culture.
Traveling from Edinburgh to York takes approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. There are a total of 25 connections available each day, all of which are direct services. Passengers will depart from either Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket stations and arrive at York station.
The first daily train journey from Edinburgh departs at 04:48, providing an early start for travelers eager to explore. The last departure of the day is scheduled for 20:00, allowing visitors ample time to enjoy their evening in York before returning.
The cheapest ticket price for a train from Edinburgh to York is €35, while the average ticket price tends to be around €63.
Welcome to York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Its history dates back to the 7th century, and it stands as a testament to centuries of architectural innovation and religious significance for both locals and visitors alike. What makes this landmark truly unique are its stunning stained glass windows, including the Great East Window, which is considered one of the finest examples of medieval art.
As we stroll through The Shambles, you'll find yourself transported back in time along this charming medieval street lined with timber-framed buildings that date from the 14th century. Once a bustling marketplace for butchers selling their wares, today it captivates tourists with its quaint shops and cafes while retaining an enchanting atmosphere steeped in history. One distinctive feature you’ll notice is how some buildings lean toward each other across narrow lanes—an iconic sight that adds character to this picturesque area.
Finally, we arrive at Clifford's Tower—a remarkable structure that has witnessed over 1,000 years of York’s tumultuous past. Originally built by William the Conqueror as part of his castle complex in 1068, it served various roles throughout history including a royal mint and prison before becoming a symbol of resilience against adversity. Climbing up to enjoy panoramic views from its summit offers not only breathtaking scenery but also insight into why this tower remains such an important historical landmark within our cityscape.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to York 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 York, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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