Travelling to York from overseas
There are three main airports that are commonly used, Manchester, London Heathrow, and Leeds Bradford. Manchester is the easiest because it has an integrated train station with services that connect directly to York in less than two hours, but Heathrow has many more services from all over the world. Leeds Bradford is a much smaller airport, but if there is a service connecting your origin then it is very convenient.
Manchester Airport
At Manchester Airport follow the signs for “The Station”. Once at The Station go to the ticket office and buy a single ticket to York (or you can book online at www.nationalrail.co.uk). A direct train runs every half an hour. The train will take approximately one hour and 50 minutes.
London Heathrow Airport
From Heathrow Airport, take the Underground to King’s Cross St. Pancras tube station to get a direct train to York railway station. Trains from London King’s Cross to York depart every 30 minutes and take approximately 2 hours. You can pay for the London Underground using any contactless card or your phone, no need to get a ticket in advance. Just tap on and tap off.
Leeds Bradford Airport
You can get a taxi direct from the airport to the conference hotel, although it will cost around £90 so you probably want to share.
https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/getting-to-and-from/by-taxi
Alternatively you can get a taxi to Leeds Train Station and then trains between Leeds and York run many times an hour and take ~30 minutes. Train fares and times are online at www.nationalrail.co.uk
More travel information can be found here:
https://www.york.ac.uk/students/new/international/travelling-to-york/airports
The Venue, and The City
The conference will be held at the Principal Hotel.
York is a walkable city, and all places you are likely to want to get to are within walking distance. The conference venue is 2 minutes around the corner from the train station. Leave the station, turn left, and the hotel is on your left.
Taxis must be either pre-booked, or from an official taxi rank. There is a taxi rank just outside the train station that you can use, or you can book one via phone or app.
York Cars – yorkcars-taxis.co.uk
App, Online booking, or +44 1904 765765
Streamline – streamlinetaxisyork.co.uk
App, Online booking, or +44 1904 656565
Bus routes and tickets can be planned from the First York app: www.firstbus.co.uk/york
Accommodation
Rooms can be booked at the venue: theprincipalyork.com
Alternatively there is a wide range of hotels of various budgets all within easy walking distance of the venue. You could consider:
$$$
Hilton
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lbayohn-hilton-york
Hotel du Vin
https://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/york
The Grand
$$
Premier Inn
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/north-yorkshire/york/york-city-blossom-st-south.html
Radisson Hotel https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-hotel-york
Hampton by Hilton
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/qqytghx-hampton-york
Or York has many charming local guesthouses and B&Bs.
Currency
The UK uses Pound Sterling (GBP), however cash is very rarely required. Contactless payment is accepted in almost all situations. Tips are up to 10% in restaurants, and not otherwise expected.
Visas
You can quickly check if you need a travel visa using the UK Government’s website:
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
If you need an invitation letter then contact ian.gray@york.ac.uk with your name, passport or ID number, nationality, and address.
Attractions
Walk the Walls
Every visitor to York should walk at least a section of the city walls. York retains much of the medieval walls that surrounded the city 700 years ago and they provide a great walk with some unique views of the city. There is a full guide to the entire walk here:
but an easy section for conference attendees could get up onto the walls here, 2 minutes walk from the conference hotel:
and then walk South West around the walls trail to Micklegate Bar, around 15 minutes. You can then either return via Micklegate’s pubs, bars, and cafés, or keep on the Walls and keep going all the way around over Skeldergate Bridge, past Clifford’s Tower, then back through town to the hotel.
York Minster
York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals and just over ten minutes walk from the conference hotel. It can be a bit expensive to actually go inside, but views from outside are wonderful.
National Railway Museum
It might sound like a museum for trains isn’t very appealing, but the National Railway Museum is fantastic for people interested in the engineering and social challenges involved in the transportation of a nation. It is also a great day out for those travelling to York with children or families. Free entry.
Museum Gardens
If the weather is amenable and you would like a stroll in the park, then the Museum Gardens are a ten minute walk from the conference hotel. Established in the 1830s, the gardens host a wide range of trees, shrubs, and perennials, set around the medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey.
www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/york-museum-gardens/
Jorvik Viking Centre
The Viking Centre is a world-famous attraction which has welcomed over 20 million visitors over its lifetime. It recreates the 925AD city of Jorvik, which would eventually become York. Entrance fees apply.
Clifford’s Tower
Less than 20mins walk from the conference hotel, Clifford’s Tower is the largest remaining building of York Castle, northern England’s greatest medieval royal fortress. The tower offers views over the city and inside is a museum interpretation that details the tower’s varied and sometimes brutal history. Entrance fees apply.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york
