About York
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2025. The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and most of the smaller islands within the British Isles, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea, while maintaining sovereignty over the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories.
Things to do in York by type
13 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 7 experiences City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 4 experiences Fish and Chips on the River Ouse - Cruise -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences Visit York Official Pass with 30+ Attractions & Hop On Hop Off Bus
- 1-3 hours 4
- Up to 1 hour 2
- Over 6 hours 1
- Private 3
Top experiences in York
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 13 available.
The Ghost Bus Tours - York
From $28 per adult
Visit York Official Pass with 30+ Attractions & Hop On Hop Off Bus
From $83 per adult
Travel Curious - Private Walking Tour of York
From $558 per adult
York Private Walking Tour
From $328 per adult
City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $20 per adult
The York Witches and History Walking Tour
From $20 per adult
York Dungeon - Entrance Tickets
From $25 per adult
Where to stay in York
Popular hotels in York, out of 262 properties you can book.
Hotel Clementine
From $178 per night
Mercure York Fairfield Manor
From $122 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton York
From $146 per night
Roomzzz York City
From $132 per night
The Queens Hotel & Victoria Cloisters Apartments
From $138 per night
The Fat Badger
From $208 per night
The Grand York
From $360 per night
Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly
From $206 per night
Grand Hotel Scarborough
From $57 per night
Novotel York Centre
From $150 per night
Park Inn by Radisson York
From $176 per night
Hampton by Hilton York
From $200 per night
Best time to visit York
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit York is August, when average daytime highs are around 71°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Know before you go
- Currency
- British pound (GBP)1 US dollar ≈ £0.75
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +44
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Europe/LondonUTC+0
- Capital
- London
Upcoming public holidays in United Kingdom
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- Good Friday
- Early May Bank Holiday
- Spring Bank Holiday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to York
These are the airports closest to central York. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HRT RAF Linton-on-Ouse9 mi (15 km) from the city centre
- LBA Leeds Bradford Airport24 mi (39 km) from the city centre
- DSA Doncaster Sheffield Airport34 mi (54 km) from the city centre
Getting around York
Train travel is very popular in Britain, as Britain invented it—you'll find many services busy, and passenger numbers have been rising steadily. It is one of the fastest, most comfortable, convenient and enjoyable ways to explore Britain and by far the best way to travel inter-city.
Planning a train trip
The essential source for rail travel information in Great Britain is the National Rail website. It includes an extremely useful journey planner, ticket prices and detailed information about every railway station in the country. You can also access this information using the National Rail Enquiries phone service on 0345 748 4950.
Tickets
Generally, the ticket prices for a particular type of ticket are the same regardless of operator you choose to travel on. However the cheaper or promo tickets will be restricted to one operator only. Tickets normally go on sale three months in advance. On most routes, you save money by booking in advance and by travelling at off-peak times (after 9:30AM on weekdays, and all day weekends and on public holidays). You must have a ticket before boarding a train, and many stations now have ticket barriers.
Rail passes
There are three principal types of rail pass available to visitors to the UK which permit inclusive rail travel throughout the UK.
York travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit York?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit York is August, when average daytime highs are around 71°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
What is the weather like in York?
August is usually the warmest month in York, with average highs of 71°F (21°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 33°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 101 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to York?
RAF Linton-on-Ouse (HRT) is the closest airport, about 9 miles (15 km) from the centre of York. Other nearby airports include Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA, 24 mi) and Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA, 34 mi).
What currency is used in York?
York uses the British pound (GBP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ £0.75.
What time zone is York in?
York uses the Europe/London time zone (currently UTC+0). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around York?
Train travel is very popular in Britain, as Britain invented it—you'll find many services busy, and passenger numbers have been rising steadily. It is one of the fastest, most comfortable, convenient and enjoyable ways to explore Britain and by far the best way to travel inter-city.
What are the top things to do in York?
Popular experiences you can book in York include The Ghost Bus Tours - York, Visit York Official Pass with 30+ Attractions & Hop On Hop Off Bus and Travel Curious - Private Walking Tour of York. Destina Holidays offers 13 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in York?
The most popular types of experiences in York are city tours (7), cruise & water tours (4) and tickets & attraction passes (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in York?
Popular areas for hotels in York include York and Scarborough. Well-reviewed options include Hotel Clementine and Mercure York Fairfield Manor.
How many hotels can I book in York?
Destina Holidays currently lists 262 properties in and around York, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
