None of the companies linked to below are affiliated sites to, or contributors to, YMRS. Links are for fares and/or other other information only
Rail Travel to York
York is a major rail centre served by mainline, cross-country and local services. The regular changes of franchisees, and associated pages within their websites, has rendered maintenance of the former level of detailed information impossible to keep current. However, this is no longer necessary as you are reading this page on-line, therefore, you have internet access to all the current rail travel timetable, ticket booking and other services. If arriving by train also see our local bus section below.
Additional third-party information links are below:-
For Network Rail Engineering works there are links on their website. We hope these will help:-
Status & Disruptions (Their live feed) Planned engineering works are listed about half way down. The page has other menu options too.
Trainline – the Trainline information and ticketing site
Railsmartr – alternative to the Trainline for ticket purchase.
Bus travel within York to/from the show.
Latest regarding the position on buses for 2026
Show link bus (Service 197) all three event days.
This link is provided as a commercial operation independently of YMRS. For 2025 the operator is, again, York Pullman. Payment can be by cash or card. Passes are not valid on the 197.
York Pullman will be running a 30 min frequency. First bus from the railway station at 9:30, through to a last up to the Racecourse at 15:00. Last return service service to the station on Saturday and Sunday will be at 17:30 and at 17:00 on Monday. Traffic may alter timings.
The stop at the station for pick-ups is as last year the same as for the Coastliner service. It is stand RJ on the opposite side of the road to the station.
We are confirming timings, however York Pullman have indicated that it will be the same as the 2025 schedule below.
Fares –
- Adult Single £2.50
- Adult Return £4.00
- Child Single £1.50
- Child Return £2.00
Also available – Park and Ride plus 197 option
Park & Ride – The official site covering fares and routes for York’s various P&R services. Senior pass holders should note there is a small surcharge for the inbound service.
The P&R service from Vanguarde – If the adjacent sports stadium is in use for a fixture the parking duration is significantly reduced. (Either soccer or rugby league) The fixture lists for 2026 shows:-
- Saturday 4th April – No home games scheduled.
- Sunday 5th April – No home games scheduled.
- Monday 6th April – York City FC are playing at home.
From the other P&R sites – Although none of the routes pass the Racecourse directly several serve the railway station giving options for a change on to the 197 show link service. At the P&R sites the parking is free with a charge for riding. A small supplementary charge is made for riding inwards for senior pass card holders.
Service bus options
The York Area bus map is a free to download pdf from this site* and shows routes 11, 21 & 197 serving the end of Racecourse Road. Unfortunately this is misleading as this section of route 11 is an evening service only – during the day it only serves Bishopthorpe Road. Without making a longish walk therefore the public transport options are services 21, & 197 (Saturday) other days the 197 only.
*NB Link rechecked 31 March 2025.
Saturday (Limited availability and running on the Saturday only over the Show weekend.)
Bus route 11 – operator = First Bus. This service currently runs down Bishopthorpe Rd on Saturdays and does not pass the Racecourse during show hours. The route is misleadingly shown as doing so on the York bus map due to services occasionally taking that loop. The nearest stop on Bishopthorpe Rd is therefore a considerable walk from the venue. The Knavesmire, as listed in the No.11 timetable, IS A PUB NOT THE RACECOURSE.
Bus route 21 – operator = York Pullman – see (Timetable and website). We can confirm this service will be on the normal route, not diverted, on the show Saturday in 2025. (Entry updated 31 March 2025).
Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday
The 197, see above, is the only bus option running, with stops serving the Show. No public service bus routes pass the Racecourse Road area on these days.
Other – Tadcaster Rd bus services
Buses do run along Tadcaster Rd; however, due to distance from the Show venue for the resultant walk should you choose to use these, we have not listed them. If the weather is fair, and you feel up for the footpath walk across the racecourse, the York Area bus map listing the available services is a free to download pdf from this site.