Taking a day trip by bus or train can be really exciting for children, so whether you have a car or not, why not use public transport the next time you go somewhere. It certainly saves worrying about car parking!
⭐️ Top Tip! Get a rain card for £30 a year as you will make savings if you are going to do a few rail journeys. Find out more about Rail Cards here.⭐️
Read about the easiest family attractions to visit by train from York in our list below.
There are direct trains to Hull that go roughly every hour. It is approximately a 20-minute walk from the train station to the Deep. However, there is plenty to see & do along the way including playing in the fountains in the centre of town and looking at ducks and boats so it might take you longer!
What do Mumbler’s think?
“The Deep is great. Plus it has a little soft play area near the end and lots of space to have your own picnic. You get to go back for free the rest of the year as well.”
🚆 A direct train from York to Hull takes 1 hour, 10 minutes
Find out more about The Deep on York Mumbler
This is a perfect place to visit from York by train as Halifax train station is right next door to Eureka – just down a couple of flights of stairs.
What do Mumbler’s think?
“When my children were younger they were completely absorbed by the shop, kitchen and garage areas 0downstairs, now they are a bit older we are venturing upstairs a it more. Its always interesting to see the temporary exhibitions, it means there is always something new to see and do.”
🚆 A direct train from York to Halifax takes 1 hour, 5 minutes
Find out more about Eureka on York Mumbler
There is a direct train from York to Harrogate and Valley Gardens is about a 15-20 minute walk through town. Leave a little more time on the way back to the station because its uphill!
What do Mumblers think?
“This is a great park for all ages, there is a skate park, crazy golf, lovely gardens, large play area and a kiosk and cafe.”
🚆 A direct train from York to Harrogate takes 30 minutes
Find out more about Valley Gardens on York Mumbler
There is a direct train to Bradford and then the museum is a 10-minute walk from the train station.
What do Mumblers think?
“This is a great interactive museum. Opposite the museum is a large square with a cafe and water fountains to play in afterwards if the little ones need to run some energy off before the journey back.”
🚆 A direct train from York to Bradford takes 50 minutes
Find out more about the National Science & Media Museum on York Mumbler
After you have bought your train tickets you don’t need to spend any more money on this day out. A short walk from the train station is the castle, often there are events here during the school holidays, but if not, it’s still a great space to explore.
Close by is Bebra Gardens which has a paddling pool filled for the summer months. You can enjoy boat rides on the River Nidd and there are plenty of places you can paddle or throw stones in the river. A little further away, but still within walking distance is Mother Shipton’s Cave.
What do Mumblers think?
“Knaresborough is lovely. At the train station we watched a few trains come and go then went round the castle and back down the hill to walk along the river back to where we started. Loads of cafes along the side of the river.”
🚆 A direct train from York to Knaresborough takes 25 minutes
The train goes directly to Scarborough and it’s about a 20-minute walk through town to get to South Bay beach. It’s a 20-minute walk in a different direction to get to Peasholm Park, which is then just a 5-minute walk to North Bay Beach. The Coastliners bus drops off and picks you up at Peasholm Park, so even if you walk there but tiredness means you can’t face the walk back the Coastliner will drop you by the train station.
What do Mumblers think?
“Scarborough North Bay has rock pools at the end near the Sea Life Centre. There is a little ice cream/coffee kiosk near the mini-golf too.”
🚆 A direct train from York to Scarborough takes 50 minutes
⭐️ Top Tip! Keep an eye on the iTravel website for up-to-date information on bus ticket offers and family ticket deals. ⭐️
Find out the easiest family attractions to visit by bus from York in our list below.
PLUS…Don’t forget First Bus is offering great value travel in York this summer! 5 people travel ALL DAY for £9!
The CastleLine bus drops you right by the entrance of Castle Howard.
What do Mumblers think? 
“Castle Howard has an excellent play area, woods to explore, its a great day out. If you walk across the car park and across the road you are at Yorkshire Arboretum. There is a small play area here, a large pond and it’s a beautiful setting to explore.”
🚌 A bus from York city centre to Castle Howard takes about 50 minutes – 1 hour
Find out more about Castle Howard on York Mumbler
There are a couple of buses to Pocklington that take slightly different routes, then a 10-minute walk to the Gardens.
What do Mumblers think?
“It’s a really relaxed day out. You can buy fish food there to feed the coy carp, there is a small aviary, play area and the gardens to wander around.”
🚌 A bus from York city centre to Pocklington takes about 40 minutes
Find out more about Burnby Hall & Gardens on York Mumbler
The number 10 bus drops off outside Manor school on the way to Poppleton. Walk straight across the road to get to Agility.
What do Mumblers think?
“Highly recommend Agility for a trip out! Kids absolutely shattered, great coffees and food. My gang said 10/10!”
🚌 A bus from York city centre to Poppleton/Manor school takes about 20 minute
Find out more about Agility Fitness Park on York Mumbler
The number 10 bus drops off outside Manor school on the way to Poppleton. Walk down the road from the bus stop until just past the train crossing. Cross the road and follow the blue footpath signs through the housing estate. At the end turn right and follow the path round, it takes about 15 minutes.
What do Mumblers think?
“If anyone’s looking for something to do, we went to Point Zero Trampoline Park today for their toddler session, and my little girl had the BEST time.”
🚌 A bus from York city centre to Poppleton/Manor school takes about 20 minutes
Find out more about Point Zero Trampoline Park on York Mumbler
The number 10 bus goes to Gate Helmsley and it’s a short walk to Balloon Tree. To get the bus home you do need to cross the road and the area to wait is small and right next to the busy road.
What do Mumblers think?
“Balloon Tree is lovely and my 6 and 4 year old really enjoy it. Lovely play park and house outside and seats out there too. There’s also goats and fruit picking.”
🚌 A bus from York city centre to Gate Helmsley takes about 30 minutes
Find out more about Balloon Tree Farm Cafe on York Mumbler
The number 40 Reliance bus drops you off outside Creepies but you do have to cross the road which is very busy. The buses run every hour.
What do Mumblers think?
“If you have kids, this place is great value for money! Highly recommended.”
🚌 A bus from York city centre to Wigginton Road takes about 20 minutes
Find out more about Creepy Crawlies on York Mumbler
Catch the Coastliner that goes to Leeds. You need to get off at the last stop in Copmanthorpe. It’s a short walk from here but does involve crossing the road when you get off the bus and then crossing another busy road before the roundabout. To catch the bus back you don’t have to cross any roads.
What do Mumblers think?
“I would just like to recommend Askham Bryan Wildlife Park. It is really nice to go somewhere that you don’t have to travel too far out of town and it’s not too big. There is quite a lot outside and good for picnic. It is very accessible too if you have a push chair. We had a great time”
🚌 A bus from York city centre to Copmanthorpe takes about 25 minutes
Find out more about Askham Bryan Wildlife Park on York Mumbler
Coastliner bus drops off in Kirby Misperton. You need to walk up the road and then across the Flamingo Land car park to reach the entrance, it’s about 10-15 minutes.
What do Mumblers think?
“Flamingo Land is good as there is also a zoo and shows.”
🚌 A bus from York to Kirby Misperton takes about 40 minute
Photo credit: The York station and bus images used in this article with the kind permission of Sue Gabbatiss. Follow her on Instagram to see even more of her fabulous photos of York. Thank you Sue 
Local Mumbler Helen helped us with all the bus and train information for this article and uses public transport a lot around York, having lots of fun with her children. Thanks Helen 💜
