York to London Kings Cross Trains From £23.60*

The York to London King’s Cross route is one of the most important rail corridors in the UK, connecting northern England with the capital along the East Coast Main Line. With fast journey times and frequent departures, it is widely used by both commuters and leisure travellers.

Departure from York

York Railway Station is a major northern rail hub handling over 115 train movements daily and roughly 69 direct services to London. The station features 11 platforms beneath its distinctive curved roof, with LNER trains typically departing every 27–30 minutes during the day.

Specific transport links

• Park & Ride network: Askham Bar Line 3 provides a frequent and direct link to the station entrance.
• Local buses: Routes 7 and 10 stop outside on Station Road beside the main station forecourt.
• Cycling access: Around 60 secure bike racks are available in the short-stay station car park.
• Taxi rank: Licensed taxis operate from the dedicated rank beneath the station portico.

Station layout

• Platform 3: Primary departure point for fast LNER services heading south to London King’s Cross.
• Platforms 5, 6 and 7: Often used for additional London departures depending on scheduling.
• Main concourse: Central area containing ticket barriers, information boards, and retail outlets.

Pre-departure essentials

Inside the concourse, you will find WHSmith and M&S Simply Food for quick meal deals and travel essentials. Coffee chains such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee are located near the entrance and just inside the ticket barriers.

Onboard trains from York to London King's Cross

LNER Azuma trains complete the York–London route at speeds up to 125mph, with the fastest journeys taking around 110 minutes. With roughly three departures per hour at peak times, passengers benefit from frequent service and a smooth ride powered mainly by electric traction.

The scenic side

Sit on the left-hand side heading south for views of farmland and landscapes across the Vale of York.

Key landmarks

• Peterborough Cathedral: Its distinctive Gothic facade is visible as you slow into Peterborough station.
• Stoke Bank: Historic stretch where the Mallard locomotive set its world speed record in 1938.
• Grantham countryside: Brief views of rolling Lincolnshire fields as the train accelerates south.
• Alexandra Palace: Hilltop landmark visible shortly before reaching London King’s Cross.

Arriving at London King's Cross

London King’s Cross operates 11 main platforms, making it one of the busiest rail hubs in the UK. As the southern terminus for LNER, trains from York arrive several times per hour, placing passengers directly in central London with excellent onward transport links.

The correct exit

• Main concourse exit: Leads directly onto Euston Road and the central transport interchange.
• Great Northern Hotel side: A useful landmark when orienting yourself outside the main entrance.
• Platform 9 area exit: Leads toward the popular Platform 9¾ photo spot and retail area.
• Waitrose side exit: Provides the quickest access to the covered black-cab taxi rank.

Onward travel

• London Underground: Access to the Victoria, Piccadilly, Circle, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City lines.
• Local buses: Major routes operate from stops on Euston Road and York Way outside the station.
• St Pancras International: Three-minute walk across the square for Eurostar and Thameslink services.
• Santander Cycles: Public cycle hire docks nearby provide a quick option for short city trips.

Walkability

King’s Cross sits in a well-connected part of central London with several major attractions nearby. The British Library is around seven minutes on foot, while Coal Drops Yard, a redeveloped shopping and dining district behind the station, can be reached in about five minutes. Although areas like the West End or the City are further away, the Underground makes most central destinations reachable within fifteen minutes.

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