What are my London to York train options?

If you're travelling from London to York by train, you have a choice between two operators: LNER or Grand Central. Let's explore these options for your journey.

LNER

LNER trains run most frequently with at least two trains every hour from London King's Cross, as well as a ‘stopping’ train every other hour. Here’s a summary of the calling patterns and journey times:

• Non-stop to York (1x per hour - 1h50m to 1h55m)
• Peterborough, Newark Northgate, Doncaster and York (1x per hour - 2h to 2h05m)
• Stevenage, Peterborough, Grantham, Newark Northgate, Retford, Doncaster and York (1x every two hours - 2h25m to 2h30m)

LNER offers 'single-leg pricing', where flexible Anytime or Super-Off Peak fares are only available as single tickets. 

The lower priced Super Off-Peak Single is valid between 09:06 and 14:59 and after 18:59 on a Monday to Thursday. There aren’t any restrictions (when using LNER) on a Friday, and there aren’t any restrictions on any operator on weekends and Bank Holidays.

Grand Central

Grand Central are usually the cheaper (but less frequent) option if you’re making a London to York train journey. These trains are non-stop, and typically take around 1h50m to 2h05m. There are usually six trains per day in each direction.

The Off-Peak fares aren’t valid on the 16:48 from London King’s Cross or the 08:22 from York on weekdays. There aren’t any restrictions on weekends or Bank Holidays.

How do I get the best London to York train fare?

You can find some great-value ways of getting from London to York by train. Even when booking very last minute for a London to York train, it's worth checking for Advance fares if you're willing to book a specific train time. Check out the Grand Central services first for a good chance of a low price.

Prices on this route can be quite expensive during ‘peak’ times and trains can also become fully sold out when it comes to Advance tickets. So, we’d always recommend booking as far in advance as you’re able to.

What are the trains like?

Let’s see what each of the trains on the London to York route are like. We’ll cover things like onboard facilities, seat comfort and more.

LNER

If you’re using LNER, then you’ll have an Azuma train. The vast majority of the trains on this route have nine carriages, though a couple will have five or 10. In Standard Class, all of the seats are in a 2+2 layout:

You’ll find power sockets under every seat, as well as a cafe bar. It’s also possible to order food and drink directly to your seat by scanning a QR code on the seatback. In First Class, you’ll also have access to USB ports under your armrest. Feeling peckish? There’s a complimentary menu on every train. You can expect, at minimum, sandwiches, snacks and hot and cold drinks (including alcohol after 11am). On many trains, you’ll get hot food, as well. 

When it comes to seat comfort, the seats in both classes can be a little firm. However, the legroom is pretty good, so there’s a bit of space to stretch out.

Grand Central

You can expect an Adelante train if you travel with Grand Central. They have five carriages. All seats in Standard Class are in a 2+2 layout and there’s a power socket at every window seat:

There’s a buffet counter, too. In First Class, the seats are in a 2+1 layout. You’re still entitled to some complimentary food and drink, but it’s more along the lines of drinks and snacks rather than a proper meal!

The seats are a little more comfortable than on LNER and they’re tilted back a little, so you can sit back and relax rather than being forced upright. The only issue is that legroom isn’t quite so good, especially at the table seats. If you’re working at a laptop, the airline-style seats can be a bit tricky. The tilt of the seat means that you need to have the laptop hanging off the edge of the table!

The overhead racks aren’t huge, either. You’ll struggle to get anything bigger than a small backpack into them, as they’re very shallow.

Is there anything else I should know?

Feeling inspired and looking for a day trip from London to York by train? We’ve written all about everything that you can get up to on a day trip to York.

The final thing we’d recommend is using the SmartSplit website to book your London to York train tickets. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares.

Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too.

_{^{All information is issued in good faith and is correct as of May 1 2025.}}