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 safety
- The First York App lets you see the number of bus seats available
- Buses coming onto campus are fitted with clean air technology
- Contactless payment is available should you need it
- Remember to respect other people's space
Free buses across campus
You can travel between Campus East and West for free on several routes.
The 68 route (previously known as the UB1 route) is a dedicated free of charge campus shuttle, incorporating Halifax College and York Sports Village. Please note the 68 does go on to Grimston Bar Park and Ride however this is chargeable and not part of the free zone.
Bus routes 66 and 67 also both incorporate intercampus travel in their route within the Free Zone. The Free Zone is anywhere between York Sport Village, across to Halifax College and as far as the stops on Green Dykes Lane and at The Retreat on Thief Lane. Simply let the driver know where you're going and show your staff or student ID card to travel for free in these areas.
Related links
, 349kb)Buses to and from the city
Travel between campus and York city centre takes about 20 minutes. Buses have free wifi and accept contactless payment:
- 66 - From: York train station. To: The University.
This bus takes you from Heslington Hall to Campus East via Field Lane but doesn’t stop at York Sport Village. - 67 - From: York train station. To: York Sport Village.
Like the 66, once on campus this service travels to Campus East via Field Lane, and continues onto York Sport Village.
For help, support or to contact First Bus directly with a query or issue, please go to: First Bus - Help and Support or use the Live Chat function on the First Bus App.
British Library Reading Room mini bus
The Library provides a free weekly minibus service to the British Library Reading Room at Boston Spa for staff and students, on alternate Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year.
The minibus leaves from the car park in front of the Information Centre at 9.30am and leaves the Reading Room at approx. 4.15pm. Find out more and book a seat on the Library web pages.
PlusBus
PlusBus is a discount price travelcard for unlimited bus travel around town and connects you with the National Rail network. A PlusBus ticket allows you to get reduced price day bus travel from your starting point and/or destination when you buy a rail ticket.
Travelling further afield
Transdev offer a range of bus services across Yorkshire. You can travel between Leeds and Scarborough on the Yorkshire Coastliner and to Harrogate via the Harrogate Bus Company.
Save money on bus travel
You can get unlimited First York bus travel for as little as 75p a day when you buy an annual student or student bus pass, receive discounts on monthly or Yorkey card 20-trip tickets, or pay a reduced rate for travel between the railway station and the University campus.
Staff can also get a 20% discount on East Yorkshire buses by showing their staff ID card to the driver. First Bus also offer University of York staff discounts when York bus tickets are purchased via their app.
Staff can also apply for an interest-free bus pass loan. Please remember to always show your University ID when using the discounted bus passes.
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 (66) 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 while a bus will take around 22 minutes. Uber are not licensed within the city of York.
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.