Planning to drive into York? Avoid parking space bingo and travel in with Park & Ride – a quick and easy shuttle bus into the city.
If the thought of navigating York’s busy roads and finding a city centre parking space fills you with dread, there’s a much easier option. York Park & Ride lets you leave your car at one of six sites around the city, then travel into the centre in around 15 minutes. You don’t need to book or master a complicated timetable – just drive, park and ride.
How to use York Park & Ride
Credit: First Bus
York Park & Ride, operated by First Bus, has six sites around the edge of the city. Simply choose the one that matches the direction you’re travelling from, then leave the city-centre driving behind.
There’s no need to reserve a space or find a parking meter. Drive in, park for free (the spaces are huge, too) and head to the bus stop. Most sites have an indoor waiting area, toilets and baby changing facilities, and the on-site team can help if it’s your first time using the service. Travel from Askham Bar and you can even pick up a coffee from kWh Coffee before you board.
When the bus arrives, you can buy your ticket from the driver using cash or contactless. You can also use the First Bus app to buy in advance, check live departure times and make the switch from car to bus even quicker.
Which Park & Ride site should I use?
Choose the site that’s most convenient for the direction you’re travelling from. They’re signposted from York’s main approach roads, but here’s a quick guide before you go:
- Travelling from Leeds and the west via the A64 – Askham Bar, YO24 1LW
- Travelling from Harrogate and the north-west via the A59 – Poppleton Bar, YO26 6QF
- Travelling from Thirsk and the north via the A19 – Rawcliffe Bar, YO30 5XZ
- Travelling from Malton and the north-east via the A64 – Monks Cross, YO32 9JU
- Travelling from Hull and the east via the A1079 – Grimston Bar, YO19 5LA
- Travelling from Selby and the south via the A19 – Designer Outlet, YO19 4TA
Reach York city centre in around 15 minutes
Credit: First Bus
Whichever site you choose, the journey into York takes around 15 minutes. Dedicated bus lanes help Park & Ride services avoid a lot of day-to-day traffic, leaving you free to sit back and enjoy a smooth journey instead of navigating York’s roads.
With selected services running as often as every eight minutes throughout the summer, there’s no need to plan your arrival around a timetable – simply turn up and catch the next bus.
Depending on your route, you can get off close to many of York’s top attractions including the National Railway Museum, Clifford’s Tower and JORVIK Viking Centre – so you can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the best of the city.
Stay longer and make more of your day
Credit: First Bus
It’s pocket-friendly too. An adult return costs just £4 and includes free parking, while children aged five to 15 travel free throughout August. Groups can save with a £13 First Day Group ticket for up to five people. It’s easy to see why 92%** of passengers surveyed agreed that Park & Ride saves them money compared to driving and parking in York city centre.
And when it comes to your journey home, there’s no need to keep checking the parking meter or worrying about rushing back before your ticket expires. Selected services leave York city centre as late as 11:04pm, giving you time to visit another attraction, stop for dinner or catch an evening event before returning to your car.
