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Transport, maps and parking

Public transport

With free bus travel across campus and great links to the city, it’s easy - and sustainable - to use public transport to travel around campus, but please remember to walk or cycle where you can.

Travel tips

University of York bus routes

There are a number of services that stop at Campus West and Campus East.

First York will be operating a limited timetable on University of York bus services from Sunday 21 December and will resume normal service on Sunday 4 January 2026. There will be no University bus services on Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day), Friday 26 December (Boxing Day), and Thursday 1 January 2026 (New Year's Day).

Visit the First York website or download their App for full details and any late notice changes.

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Service U1

The U1 travels from York Sport Village into York City Centre via Green Dykes Lane and Lansdowne Terrace. On campus, it journeys from York Sport Village (Campus East) to Wentworth Way (Campus West) via Field Lane, stopping at Heslington Hall and the University Library along the way. You won't be charged if you get on the bus anywhere between York Sports Village and Green Dykes Lane, however journeys from Green Dykes Lane towards York City Centre will require payment.

Service U2

The U2 travels from the York Sport Village into York City Centre via The Retreat and the Barbican. On campus, it travels from the York Sport Village (Campus East) to Wentworth Way (Campus West) via Field Lane, stopping at Heslington Hall and the University Library along the way. You won't be charged if you get on the bus anywhere between York Sports Village and The Retreat, however journeys from The Retreat towards York City Centre will require payment.

Service U3

The U3 travels from Campus East Interchange to the Barbican via Fulford. On campus, it travels from the Campus East Interchange to Fulford Golf Club, stopping at York Science Park, Eden's Court and Newton Way along the way. You won't be charged if you get on the bus anywhere between the Campus East Interchange and Fulford Golf Club, however journeys from Fulford Golf Club towards the Barbican will require payment. 

Service U4

The U4 travels from the Campus East Interchange to the Designer Outlet via Fulford. On campus, it travels from the Campus East Interchange to Fulford Golf Club, stopping at the York Science Park, Eden's Court and Newton Way along the way. You won't be charged if you get on the bus anywhere between the Campus East Interchange and Fulford Golf Club, however journeys after Fulford Golf Club towards the Designer Outlet will require payment.

This bus will run one bus per hour on Saturday and Sunday daytimes, and has been timed to allow convenient travel to leisure and retail, enabling potential employment opportunities with buses timed to arrive before and depart after store opening / closing times.

Service UN1

The UN1 is a late night bus service that runs seven days a week. It travels from Campus East Interchange into York City Centre via Green Dykes Lane and Lansdowne Terrace and back. This service is free for students between Campus East Interchange and Green Dykes Lane, however journeys from Green Dykes Lane toward Rougier Street will require payment.


Plan your journey by checking the timetable before you travel, and download the First Bus App to live track your bus. Services are reduced during the holiday period.

What is the freezone?

You can travel free within the campus zone when you tap on and tap off the bus - you won't be charged if you get on anywhere between York Sport Village and Green Dykes Lane, The Retreat and Fulford Golf Club depending on the service you catch.

Download the network map:

University Bus Route Map (PDF , 3,137kb)

How do I use the freezone?

If you wish to travel free of charge on the applicable University of York routes, you must get on and get off the bus at the stops within the marked Free Zone area. This is the stops between The Retreat, Green Dykes Lane, Fulford Golf Club and Campus East Interchange or the York Sport Village (depending on the bus number).

When you get on the bus you will be required to ‘tap on’ on the dedicated reader and then subsequently ‘tap off’ when leaving the bus, for every journey. This can be done using a contactless card or mobile phone. 

Will I be charged?
  • No, the ‘Tap on Tap off’ function is there to help monitor passenger numbers to improve efficiency, avoid overcrowding and to charge the correct fee when a passenger travels further than the Campus Zone area. 

  • It is very important that you remember to ‘tap off’ when disembarking the bus. The system will think you are continuing to travel and will charge you for the entire journey.


Public routes

First Bus provide a number of other public routes in York. Some of these routes also take you within a short walk of the university. 

For further information and timetables, visit the First Bus App or their website. 

Save money on travel

First Bus Annual Ticket for Staff
University of York staff can purchase a discounted annual bus ticket through the Student Tickets section on the First Bus website or app. To help spread the cost, an interest-free loan is available via Rewards Extra.

First Bus Student tickets
Students can purchase a pack of 10 or 20 single trips, in addition to discounted monthly or annual tickets on the First Bus website or app.

All day, week or month ticket
All York provide day, week or month tickets to travel on any York bus service at a low price.

PlusBus
Travelling by train and bus? PlusBus is an add-on to your train ticket which allows you to make bus trips at the start or end of your train journey. A great way to reduce the cost of your overall journey. 

Student Rail Card Pass
Available from Rail Card, this pass offers a 1/3rd off all train travel. 

For a full list of ticketing options across York, head to iTravelYork. 

Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash.

Trains and taxis

There is a frequent, fast train service to York on the East Coast Main Line from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh. There is also a direct service between York, Leeds and Manchester Airport.

The University is a short bus or taxi ride direct from the railway station. There is a bus stop and taxi rank just outside the main station entrance. A taxi from the railway station will take approximately 15 minutes and costs around £12 one-way, while a bus will take around 22 minutes. Uber are not licensed within the city of York.

 

A Train
A sustainable transport banner image

Sustainable transport

Cycling, walking and reducing car use where possible can have both positive health and environmental benefits. The University has a variety of initiatives on offer to help you keep active and reduce your carbon footprint.

Sustainable transport initiatives

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