Getting To and From York
York is half-way between London and Edinburgh on the fastest railway line in the UK. York also has a direct link to Manchester, the biggest airport in the North of England, with flights to hundreds of destinations in Europe and round the world!
Most students travel to the UK by air and then by train or taxi to York. This page has detailed information for students arriving at the closest major airports – Manchester and Leeds – as well as from other airports. There is also information for those arriving by train or by car.
Please remember that students staying in Homestay accommodation need to book an airport transfer (unless you have confirmed the details of your alternative arrangements with the school). Click here for details.
By Air
Manchester Airport has a direct rail link to York. This makes Manchester Airport a good choice for your arrival airport. Manchester has a good selection of European flights including a number of flights to all the main "European Gateway" airports. Manchester also has a number of long-haul flights.
See the Manchester Airport Website for details.
Leeds Bradford Airport is the closest to York (45 minutes by road). Leeds Bradford has good connections, particularly during the summer, to European holiday destinations. Leeds Bradford also has excellent connections to Amsterdam Airport.
The Amsterdam connection is ideal for long-haul students and is also a good choice for younger students travelling as "unaccompanied minors".
See the Leeds Bradford Airport Website for details.
The excellent services offered by Manchester and Leeds Bradford mean that you do not have to travel through London's busy airports! Of course, if you would prefer to fly in to a London airport, then York also has the advantage of a high speed rail link to London.
From the Airport to York
| Airport to Station | Train | Taxi to York | |
| Manchester Airport | Station in airport | 1h 55min | 132km. Travel time - 1hr 30min |
| Leeds Airport | 45 min by bus | 0h 22min | 49km. Travel time - 0hr 44min |
| Newcastle Airport | 35 min by bus | 1h 00min | 154km. Travel time - 1hr 56min |
| Liverpool Airport | Shuttle bus | 2h 30min | 160km. Travel time - 1hr 45min |
| Luton Airport | Shuttle bus | 3h 10min | 287km. Travel time - 2hr 54min |
| Stansted Airport | Station in airport | 3h 20min | 293km. Travel time - 2hr 59min |
| London Heathrow Airport | 60 min by underground | 2h 00min | 336km. Travel time - 3hr 25min |
| London Gatwick Airport | Station in Airport | 3h 30min | 394km. Travel time - 3hr 54min |
The best options are in bold. The saving in terms of time and convenience will almost always offset the advantage in ticket price.
Notes:
Both London Heathrow and London Gatwick have complicated changes in London - especially if travelling with luggage!
Luton and Stansted (and Gatwick) are some distance outside London
By Train from around the UK
The railways were born in York! York has excellent connections to all points of the UK!
| York to | Fastest train |
| Leeds | 22min |
| Manchester | 1h 18min |
| London | 1h 47min |
| Liverpool | 2h 07min |
| Cambridge | 2h 13min |
| Edinburgh | 2h 26min |
| Oxford | 3h 36min |
By Car
York is situated close to the M1 motorway from London and the M62 motorway from Manchester. York is about a one-hour drive from the Ferry Port in Hull. Parking is available at the College and guaranteed parking is available for guests staying at Melton Guest House, our hotel next to the College.
By Sea
There are overnight ferry services from both The Netherlands and Belgium, arriving at Hull. The Ferry Port is about one-hour from York. There are also cross-channel ferries but remember, Dover is often congested and is a 4.5-hour drive from York!
