York, Whitby day return

GibbsRule_No3

Does anyone know anything about Middlesborough station? I would like to take a US friend on a day trip to Whitby, when we stay in York for a week in July. Looks like one of the journey's allows only a 10 minute connection and I wondered if this was enough time or if delays are likely to make this a not so good idea?

dzug1

It's plenty if the train is on time. If it isn't they won't hold the connection.

There's a direct bus from York to Whitby - google Yorkshire Coastliner.

The train is a Long Way Round - the bus is more of a staright line

ab7167

Would also recommend that you get the bus. Train is a VERY long way round, the 840 coastliner bus leaves from York station and goes through some stunning scenery over the top of the moors. I did this route regularly a few years ago, and it is a nice journey

GibbsRule_No3

Thank you both for the info. Sounds like a good idea. Make a break from trains as well. Will go look. Probably mean we can buy tickets on the day and not worry about booking in advance, only to find weather is not good.

ab7167

Also the bus goes through Goathland and Pickering so if you want you can do part of the journey on the North York Moors Steam Train. No idea if the timetables link up or not, but that would be a great addition to a day out if it were possible. I would try and do it on the way there rather than the way back, get to Pickering early, hop on steam train to Whitby and then bus home.

GibbsRule_No3

We are doing the York to Scarborough by steam train as it starts the week we get there, so lucky for that one.

yorkie2

GibbsRule_No3 wrote: »

Thank you both for the info. Sounds like a good idea. Make a break from trains as well. Will go look. Probably mean we can buy tickets on the day and not worry about booking in advance, only to find weather is not good.

York - Whitby Off Peak Day Return is £12.10 (Route: Not Darlington), there is no need to "worry about booking in advance" on this ticket, it is available immediately before departure from the machines or ticket office at York station. It is a 'walk-up' ticket.

Assuming a weekday:

By train:
If you depart York at 0926, you will be due into Whitby at 1205 (change at Middlesbrough).
The last train back is at 1915, arrival back at York 2144. (change at Middlesbrough)

By bus:
Depart York 0844, arrive Whitby 1102
or Depart York 0916, arrive Whitby 1210 (change at Falsgrave)

The last bus back is at 1834 from Whitby, arrive York 2153 (change at Falsgrave) which is quite a long journey as there is 1 hour in Falsgrave.
or, there is an earlier bus at 1750 from Whitby, which gets you back to York at 2001, with a shorter connection at Falsgrave

Source: http://www.transportdirect.info/

Another option is to take the Coastliner to Pickering, then the North Yorkshire Moors railway (which operates steam trains) from there to Whitby.

The train does go a longer way round but it may be cheaper than the bus (I can't find the bus prices anywhere) and it doesn't really take that much longer than the bus (the last one back is quicker by train).

The minimum connection time at Middlesbrough is 5 minutes. While there is no guarantee the onward train to Whitby will be held, if it is not, station staff will be on hand to make alternative travel arrangements.

Middlesbrough is an easy interchange, there are only 2 platforms, these are linked by a subway.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/mbr/details.html

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sjp/MBR/stationOverview.xhtml

yorkie2

ab7167 wrote: »

Also the bus goes through Goathland and Pickering so if you want you can do part of the journey on the North York Moors Steam Train. No idea if the timetables link up or not, but that would be a great addition to a day out if it were possible. I would try and do it on the way there rather than the way back, get to Pickering early, hop on steam train to Whitby and then bus home.

GibbsRule_No3 wrote: »

We are doing the York to Scarborough by steam train as it starts the week we get there, so lucky for that one.

okay, but the York-Scarborough route isn't a patch on the Pickering-Whitby route. Flat and dull fields versus the scenery of the North York Moors! Of course, there's no reason why you can't do a round trip; there is a bus from Scarbrough to Whitby. So you could do York-Scarborough-Whitby-Pickering-York, for example.

GibbsRule_No3

Have now seen a 7 day Coastliner bus ticket for £35.00 and wondered if we should buy a couple of these and do the NYM train from Pickering to Whitby as suggested? I assume we would then have more leeway on times and routes for getting back to York. Useful for a few days to more places without worrying as well.

s_b

scarburger to whitby bus route goes by flamberger head and is a lovely little soujern ,highly recommended if you get the time

dzug1

s_b wrote: »

scarburger to whitby bus route goes by flamberger head and is a lovely little soujern ,highly recommended if you get the time

It goes nowhere near Flamborough Head - which is the other side of Scarborough heading in the opposite direction towards Hull

Still a worthwhile spot - but take directions from someone who knows where it is;)