York tours and tickets
York is a small walled city where a few places use timed entry and the rest are easy. The Minster tower and JORVIK are the two to book ahead at weekends and in school holidays. The city walls, the Shambles and the Museum Gardens are free. Castle Howard, Harrogate and Whitby make good day trips by train, bus or tour.
Book these first
- York Minster tower climb
- a few days ahead, longer in school holidays. Tower places are limited and timed, and weekends sell out first.
- JORVIK Viking Centre
- a few days ahead on weekends. Entry is by timed slot, and the queue on the day can be long.
- Hotels at weekends and in December
- 2 to 3 months ahead. York is small, and the Christmas markets and race weeks fill the rooms.
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Churches and palaces
York Minster
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, with huge medieval stained glass. Entry is by ticket, and the tower climb, the crypt and the undercroft are separate. Tours run through the day.
Which to pick. Book the tower climb ahead, since slots are limited. Join a guided tour for the stories of the glass, which are hard to read alone.
A few days ahead, more in holidaysVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorTreasurer's House
A grand townhouse behind the Minster with period rooms and a garden. Entry is by ticket, and the house is cozy and quiet.
Which to pick. Buy at the door or online. It is a good choice for a rainy afternoon.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorClifford's Tower
A 13th-century keep on a mound, with a roof walk and views across the city. Entry is by timed ticket in busy periods.
Which to pick. Buy online for a morning slot. The climb is short, and the view is among the best in the city.
A day or two aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
JORVIK Viking Centre
A museum built on the site of a Viking settlement, with a ride through recreated streets and a collection of finds. It is popular with families, and queues build at weekends.
Which to pick. Book a timed slot online. Go early, and allow time for the finds gallery after the ride.
A few days ahead, longer at weekendsVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorNational Railway Museum
The largest railway museum in the country, with locomotives from the earliest steam engines to the Japanese bullet train. Entry is free, and a ticket is not needed.
Which to pick. Walk in on a weekday. A free donation is encouraged, and special exhibitions may charge.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorYork Castle Museum
A museum of everyday life, with a recreated Victorian street and a Victorian prison in a former jail. Costumed staff and displays make it popular with families and with school groups.
Which to pick. Buy at the door or online. A good option for families and for a wet day.
A day or two aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
City walls walk
A walk along the medieval walls, which run for about three and a half kilometers and are free to join at several gates.
Which to pick. Walk a stretch on your own at dawn or dusk. A guided walk adds the history of the gates, called bars.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorGhost walk
An evening walk through the old lanes with stories of ghosts and history, one of the city's best known traditions.
Which to pick. Choose a small group and an early evening start. Walks run most nights in season.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorShambles and food walk
A walk through the medieval street and the markets, with tastings of local food such as Yorkshire pudding and chocolate.
Which to pick. Book a daytime walk and start early. The street is crowded at midday, so a morning start makes the tastings and the stories more enjoyable.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Castle Howard
A grand country house with gardens and a lake, about 40 minutes by bus or tour. It was the setting for a famous television series.
Which to pick. Buy the ticket online. Go by tour or bus if you do not have a car.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorWhitby
A fishing port on the coast with an abbey and a harbor, about an hour and a half by bus or train. It is known for fish and chips and its link to Dracula.
Which to pick. Go by train and bus, and book a lunch table in summer. A tour handles the transport.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorHarrogate
A spa town with Victorian gardens, tea rooms and a pump room museum, about 40 minutes by train. It is a calm contrast to the medieval streets of York.
Which to pick. Go by train and take afternoon tea at one of the tea rooms. Book a table ahead for weekends, when the town is busy with visitors.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in York
- York PassA pass that gives entry to many of the city's attractions for a set number of days. It suits a visit packed with paid sights. Compare the list with your plan before you buy. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in York
Do I need to book the Minster?
The tower climb, yes, a few days ahead. The main entry is usually possible on the day, outside holidays.
Is JORVIK suitable for children?
Yes, it is designed for families, with a ride and hands-on displays. It can be dark and noisy for very young children.
Is the York Pass worth it?
If you plan three or more paid sights, it can pay for itself. For a short visit, single tickets are simpler.
Can I walk the city walls?
Yes. They are free and open during daylight hours, with several entry points, and you can walk a section or the whole circuit.
Is a ghost walk suitable for children?
Most are family friendly, though some are scarier. Check the age guidance when you book.
What can wait until I arrive?
The walls, the Shambles, the Museum Gardens and the railway museum can all be done on the day. Book the Minster tower and JORVIK first.