York is compact enough to walk, but the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus is a useful way to get your bearings on your first morning, rest tired legs, or reach the sights just outside the walls. Your ticket is valid for twenty-four hours from first use, so you can start in the afternoon and finish the next morning. The route has fourteen stops, starting at Exhibition Square, beside the art gallery and Bootham Bar, and looping out past Monk Bar and the eastern edge of the city to the Stonebow, Clifford’s Tower, Walmgate Bar and the Barbican Centre, before swinging round via Fishergate to the railway station, the Memorial Gardens and Museum Gardens. Along the way, the commentary explains the Roman, Viking, medieval and railway layers of the city’s story. Audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish, and there is also a version in broad Yorkshire English and commentary for children. The open top deck gives good views over the walls, while the lower deck is covered for wet weather. This page links to the Tiqets ticket, which can be cancelled for free until twenty-four hours before your visit date.
How to visit: you can board at any of the fourteen stops, but most people start at Stop 1, Exhibition Square, or at the railway station. Tiqets lists the winter service as running every thirty minutes, with the first departure from Exhibition Square at 10:45am and the last at 2:15pm, so in November start before lunch if you want to complete the loop and hop off along the way. The ticket activates on first use and lasts twenty-four hours. It can be cancelled for a full refund or rescheduled until twenty-four hours before your visit.
What to expect: a full loop without stopping takes around an hour. The buses are open-topped, so bring a warm, waterproof layer if you want to ride upstairs in November. Commentary comes through headphones, and a live guide may also be on board at some times.
Making the most of it: ride the whole loop first for orientation, then use the bus as transport, hopping off at the station for the National Railway Museum, at Clifford’s Tower for JORVIK and the York Dungeon, and at Exhibition Square for the Minster and the City Walls at Bootham Bar. Pair it with a City Cruise on the Ouse for an easy sightseeing day.
What to expect
The experience
An open-top sightseeing bus with fourteen stops and recorded commentary in eight languages, valid for twenty-four hours from first use.
Best time
Late morning on your first day, since the last winter departure from Exhibition Square is at 2:15pm.
How long
About an hour for a full loop, with the ticket valid for twenty-four hours.
Tips
Start early in winter, bring a waterproof for the top deck, and use the bus to reach the National Railway Museum and Clifford’s Tower.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want an overview, and travellers who prefer not to walk long distances.
- Families
- The children’s commentary and the top-deck views keep younger travellers entertained.
- Couples
- A low-effort introduction to the city on your first morning, before exploring the lanes on foot.
- Pair with
- A York City Cruise from King’s Staith and the free National Railway Museum by the station stop.
- Time needed
- One hour for the loop, or a day using it as transport.
Good questions
How long is the York hop-on hop-off bus ticket valid?+
The ticket is valid for twenty-four hours from first use. You can start in the afternoon and keep riding the next morning.
How often does the York hop-on hop-off bus run in winter?+
Tiqets lists winter departures every thirty minutes from Exhibition Square, from 10:45am to 2:15pm. Start early if you want to hop off along the way.
How many stops does the York sightseeing bus have?+
There are fourteen stops, including Exhibition Square, Monk Bar, Clifford’s Tower, Walmgate Bar, the railway station and Museum Gardens. You can board at any of them.
What languages is the York bus commentary in?+
Audio commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish. There is also a Yorkshire English version and commentary for children.
Can I cancel my York hop-on hop-off bus ticket?+
Yes, the Tiqets ticket can be cancelled for a full refund or rescheduled until twenty-four hours before your visit date. After that it is fixed.
