York, England: Getting there
japra | Apr 21, 2009 | Comments 34
Since we weren’t sure about the NL move this summer (meaning we might be leaving the UK soon), we decided we would take some of Roxi’s two-week Spring Break and see some things in England.
After thumbing through a few guidebooks, and checking what was available accommodations-wise, we decided to head up to York in northern England.
And since I am a lousy long-distance driver, and I am the only one with a UK driver’s license, we decided to take the train. According to Google Map, it would have taken about about four hours to drive to York from our little house west of London. Factoring in motorway traffic, slower roads, and rest stops, I am sure it would have been more like five hours.
Anyway, here are the details:
- Booking a few days ahead and using our Family & Friends Railcard (£24 for one year), it cost £161 round trip for two adults and one child. This included: the travel from our town into London, the tube ride from our London terminus to King’s Cross station, and the long haul from King’s Cross to York Station. Also, keep in mind that this was peak travel time (UK half-term break), so the tickets were probably a little high. I just checked online for the same trip this weekend and the fare came out to be £122 round trip for the three of us. So there you go.
- There are direct fast trains from London’s King’s Cross station that can get you to York in just under two hours. But for some reason, when we booked our total journey, the system put us on a pokey train that made several stops, getting us into York in about 2.5 hours. I think we would have been better off booking our York train separately from our commuter trip to King’s Cross.
- Our total journey was about five hours–40 minutes into London, 20 minutes on the Tube to Kings’ Cross, 2.5 hours on the train from London to York. The rest of the time was spent walking to and around the stations plus waiting.
- Our Spring Break coincided with many of the UK schools half-term breaks. There were a lot of people traveling! We didn’t realize it at the time because we’ve not had to worry too much about this previously, but we did not have seat reservations for our outbound trip. We had tickets, but not reserved seats. Apparently the train companies allow overbooking, betting that not everyone will show up, I guess. We still were able to find seats, just not all together. And Roxi had to switch seats a couple of times before she found a seat that wasn’t reserved. So, just keep that in mind if you travel long distances by rail in England. We had seats reserved on the ride back, however, which made it much less stressful.
But you know what? York was well worth the travel headache!
It is a beautiful city. Rick Steves calls York “world-class” and I would have to agree. It’s lovely. And so doable without a car.
There are places where you can’t drive into anyway, like here in the Shambles. Very Diagon Alley-esque, complete with overhanging timber-framed buildings. Apparently in the 16th-19th centuries, the butchers shops were here. It must have been rather, um, fragrant with all that meat hanging on hooks outside.
Look how charming this Starbucks is!
York at night is equally lovely. And there are a lot of wonderful restaurants as well.
And probably my absolute favourite thing about York? Walking ON the fabulous city walls. Some sections date back to Roman times. Much of it is from Medieval times.
More York posts to come:
York Wall Walk
The York Minster (Gothic Church)
Filed Under: Blog • Destinations • Featured • York
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Your photos are sooo pretty! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Emm! We did like York very much :-)
Wonderful post! Look forward to hearing more. It’s been 12 years since I was in York and it was such a brief trip. By the way, is your husband British or American? My husband is British and is the only one driving right now.
Hi, American and Britain! My husband is American, so his US license expired the same time mine did (one year after our feet touched UK ground). I was the only one who had time to do the studying and lessons. Unfortunately he’s the long-distance driver. Boo!
Do you get around ok without your license?
I still have to get my license because my US one has already expired.
Did you have to study again and do a test? We just had to pay about £50 and post in our old license and they sent us a neat UK license.
My gosh yes! I had to take the written test (I studied weeks for it!) and the hazard perception test. Then I took 6 lessons, THEN took the practical test. I did pass on my first try. Lucky you that all you had to do was pay 50 quid and post your old license. I am hoping that all I will need to do for the NL is turn in my UK license and pay a fee. We’ll see!
So did you think it was worth it, taking the train? Once we drove into NYC – what a nightmare!
Julia, yes, I do think it was worth it to take the train because I really am a terrible distance driver. I wish we had a car to see Whitby or Hadrian’s Wall, but as it was, we had a lovely, relaxing few days. If we had a car, I would have felt like we needed to see/do more outside of York. What we ended up doing was plenty and I got to relax and read during the entire train journey. I even took a nap!
I really liked your account here. York was a favourite hunting ground for me during my University days and many bike rides in the area. Glad you were inpressed and bravo for lettign the train take the strain –
Pity it’s so expensive.
Thanks, Maddog! You are lucky that you got to enjoy York during your Uni days. I would have liked to have seen the moors and gotten out to Whitby, but those will have to wait until next time. And heavens yes, train fare is a bit steep!
Wow, I’m going to be in York this summer on a Rick Steves tour…so thanks for the little preview.
Sara, thanks for stopping in and commenting :-)
How I envy you your Rick Steves tour! I’ve always wanted to try one. Are you doing England only or going to other countries? You are going to love York!!
It’s his “England in 14 days” tour….with a bit of Wales thrown in (Conwy for 2 nights)…
Cool! I hope you’ll blog about it. Have you ever done a RS tour before?
The only bit of Wales I’ve seen is the DVLA (driver’s license office) in Swansea–LOL. But it’s supposed to be lovely there!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed York. We go at least once a year just because it’s so beautiful. :)
Akelamalu, I can see why you would go once a year. I really wanted to get over to the moors, Whitby, and Hadrian’s Wall but our time was too short and we were one weekend too early for a lot of the local transport. Oh well. I am hoping there will be a next time for us :-)
I look forward to more about York. It’s one of my favorite ‘local’ cities from the time I lived in Knaresborough. dh and I are thinking of taking the train from Newcastle next month, when Newcastle is one of the stops on our cruise.
Maureen, you’re so lucky you lived up there. It’s such a beautiful part of the country. Well, the country is beautiful! How long did you live in England? And are you in the US now? A cruise sounds like fun. I can’t wait to hear about it on your blog…
looking forward to the rest of the York posts. What a beautiful place. I like that it’s so walkable.
Christine, I think Europe is so great because so much of it can be done without a car. I was in central London last week an was marvelling how so many people walk miles and miles every day. You can’t even tell you’re doing it! I think I take that for granted now.
Sounds great. I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t been to York. Have been around the world, but never to York!! Great photos and sounds liek you enjoyed it. Have you been to Brighton? I think you’d love it!
Maternal Tales, we took a “quick” trip to Brighton in our early days: http://www.justaplanerideaway.com/2007/05/brighton.html
We spent more time on the road than we did in the city. I’d love to go back by train and see the Pavillion. Are there other things there that you would recommend?
Now my appetite is whetted for more York views!
Love to all…Mimsy
Mimsy, me too!! XO
There’s a little something for you at my place today. :)
Akelamalu–LOL! Thank you, I’ve not see that one before :-) Hope you’re enjoying this lovely weather we’ve been having!!
Just perfect! I’ve got to get myself up to York one of these days. The great thing about Europe is that there’s never a shortage of things to see!
Xoan-Whan, don’t I know it! I feel like we’re in a race against the clock to see everything. I mean, I know it’ll all be there for ages to come, but who knows where I’ll be ;-)
Too much goodness.
I even liked that photo of the Starbucks. I think that says it all. Beautiful images and one of the places I would like to visit one day. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
A Cuban in London, it’s a quick zip up from London and really worth a weekend. I know your kids would love it too :-)
hi japra….england is just full of everything, charm, tradition, museums, history, theaters,etc etc etc…keep on trucking and filling us in with all that is england and europe….love you…
Uncle Sonny, it is an amazing place! We’re so lucky to have this chance to live here. XOXO
It looks lovely! I have always wanted to go to York- it’s on my list of places to see.