Travelling to York

Coronavirus: travel advice

48 hours before you travel, you will need to provide your journey and contact details to the UK Government. Depending on which country you are travelling from, you may have to self-isolate for ten days when you arrive. 

As of Monday 18 January the UK government requires all travellers arriving into the UK, including students and their families, to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test result, dated no earlier than three days from the date of travel. If you don't have one you could be fined. Find out more about testing for people travelling to England.

All international arrivals are required to complete a passenger locator form before arriving in the UK, and passengers travelling from a country not on the exemption (travel corridor) list will need to self-isolate in their accommodation for ten days (even if you have provided a negative test on arrival).

There is e a new Test to Release scheme for anyone travelling to the UK from a non-exempt country. After arriving in the UK and isolating for five days, you will be able to take an accredited Covid-19 (PCR) test from a private testing provider and if your result is negative you can stop isolating. 

As a new student starting in January 2021, the University of York will reimburse you for the cost of your test.

If you do not wish to take a private PCR test, you will be required to self-isolate for ten days on arrival in the UK.

Check the UK government's advice on self-isolation and an up-to-date list of exempt countries, and find more information on the Test to Release scheme, including a list of private test providers.

If you are required to self-isolate you should travel straight to the place where you will be self-isolating:

• use a face mask and stay two metres away from others;
• once you arrive at your accommodation, do not have visitors unless they are providing essential care;
• do not leave your accommodation for ten days unless absolutely essential;
• complete the University self-isolation form so we can provide help and support.

If you've booked University accommodation, we may be able to offer you a room before your official start date. If you need this service, please email accommodation@york.ac.uk.

Travelling to the UK

By air

Manchester Airport has the easiest onward connection to York, with a direct train running from Manchester Airport to York city centre. 

Travelling to York from UK airports

Manchester Airport collection service 8 to 10 January 2021

If your home address is outside the UK, the University of York is offering a free airport collection from Manchester airport between 8-10 January. Please provide your details by 2 January 2021. 

Complete the Manchester Airport collection form

By train

Eurostar arrives in London at St. Pancras station. If you want to travel on to York by direct train, you will need to cross the road to King's Cross station.

By boat

The nearest port to York is Hull, about 45 miles away, or Liverpool, about 100 miles away. Ferries from Zeebrugge and Rotterdam dock daily at Hull. Arriving at a port on the south coast of England requires a lengthy overland journey.

Arriving out of hours

All college receptions are usually open 24 hours, apart from Wentworth College. If you arrive between 11pm and 7am for Wentworth College, go to James College reception in the Roger Kirk Centre. 

If you arrive before Monday 4 January, college receptions may be following vacation hours and may be closed. However, the receptions at James College (Campus West) and Ron Cooke Hub (Campus East) are always open 24 hours a day.

Please contact international-support@york.ac.uk if you have any questions, queries or problems relating to your travel arrangements.