The London to York train route connects the capital with the historic city of York in North Yorkshire. High-speed services operate along the East Coast Main Line, making train travel fast, frequent and comfortable.
1. Journey Overview
- Fastest journey: ~1 hour 50 minutes
- Typical journey time: 1h 50m – 2h 10m
- Distance: ~174 miles (280 km)
- Direct trains: Yes
- Frequency: 2–3 trains per hour
- Main operator: LNER
2. Departure and Arrival Stations
London King’s Cross
Most London to York trains depart from London King’s Cross. For station facilities and connections, see the London King’s Cross Station Guide.
York Station
York Station is the city’s main rail hub. For facilities and transport links, see the York Station Guide.
3. Route Highlights
Direct services commonly call at:
- Peterborough
- Doncaster
The route runs entirely on electrified high-speed main line.
4. Onboard Experience
- Free Wi-Fi on most services
- Power sockets at seats
- Air-conditioned carriages
- Onboard catering service
- First Class seating available
5. Best Time to Travel
- Peak: Weekday mornings and evenings
- Off-peak: Late morning, midday and evening
- Weekends: Busy with leisure travel
6. Ticket Tips
- Book Advance tickets early for lower fares
- Railcards save up to 33%
- Seat reservations recommended
7. Useful Connections
- For return travel, see the York to London Train Guide.
- For northern routes, see the London to Edinburgh Train Guide.
- For Yorkshire travel, see the Leeds to London Train Guide.
8. Why Choose the Train?
- Fast high-speed services
- Direct city-centre arrival
- Comfortable seating
- Frequent departures
Part of our Train Routes in the UK series.