York to Manchester Airport Trains From £14.30*

The journey from York to Manchester Airport takes approximately two and a half hours with TransPennine Express. During the trip, you'll go from North Yorkshire, passing through cities like Leeds and Yorkshire’s majestic countryside as you slowly make your way towards sprawling and urban Greater Manchester.

TransPennine Express operates regional and long-distance intercity services that are designed to keep major UK cities in the North of England and Scotland connected. This includes cities such as Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

Departing from York

Trains depart from York station, which is arguably one of the most beautiful stations in the UK, boasting grandiose architecture dating back to 1877. When it opened, it was the largest station in the world.

As well, York train station is easy to reach. If you’re in the city centre, you can easily walk the distance, as it’s only around ten minutes. Plus, if you need to take a taxi or a bus, they can drop you off outside.

As a central node on the UK’s rail network, York station is served by many operators, including LNER, TransPennine Express, Northern, and Grand Central. These services connect York to major destinations such as London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle, facilitating easy travel across the country.

Main stops

There are usually three stops from York to Manchester Airport when travelling with TransPennine Express. These are at Leeds, Brighouse, and Manchester Piccadilly. Nevertheless, these may change due to various factors, such as engineering works, train faults, poor weather, or scheduling issues. It’s best to check which stations you’ll stop at before you travel.

Booking early also helps you buy cheap train tickets. Sites like TrainPal can help you secure the cheapest fares. Add a Railcard for an even larger discount.

Arriving at Manchester Airport

Arriving at Manchester Airport is convenient, with the Manchester Airport Train Station integrated into the airport terminal building. Located just nine and a half miles from Manchester Piccadilly, the rail journey takes about fifteen minutes.

If you’d like to have a rest before your flight, there are plenty of hotels near the airport, ranging from Holiday Inn and Hilton to Radisson.

Manchester Airport is a major thoroughfare for train services around Wales and northern England, and the station actually ranks as the thirty-ninth busiest UK railway station outside of London. Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express, and Northern operate through this station, offering connections to destinations such as Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and Chester, facilitating efficient travel throughout the region.

TransPennine Express train classes

• Standard Class: Travelling in Standard Class provides comfortable seating, access to free WiFi, power sockets at every seat, and complimentary food and beverages available at select times and routes.
• First Class: Take advantage of free Wi-Fi and spacious seating with ample legroom, featuring power outlets and USB ports at each seat. Complimentary snacks and drinks are also offered at select times and on specific routes.

TransPennine Express train travel advice

• Luggage: Maximum of three items of luggage. This goes up to two larger items and one smaller bag. Racks are available for larger bags like suitcases, while overhead storage holds cabin bags and smaller pieces of luggage.
• Pets: Dogs, cats, and other small animals can travel at no cost. Dogs are required to be on a lead, while other animals must be transported in carriers. Each passenger is allowed a maximum of two pets.
• Bicycles: Bikes can be stored free of charge, but space is limited. You must book a space for your bike before you travel. Charging e-bikes is prohibited. E-scooters and similar devices are not allowed.
• Children: Children under the age of 5 can travel without charge, while those between 5 and 15 years old get a 50% discount on their tickets. The Family & Friends Railcard provides up to a one-third reduction on family ticket prices.
• Passenger Assist: Offering ramps for getting on and off trains, luggage assistance, and guidance around the station, including help with stairs and providing wheelchairs or buggies for longer distances.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.