Make like the Easter bunny and hop on board a bus this Easter! Not only is it an eco-friendly choice but it’s pocket-friendly too as there are some amazing reduced fares across York. Whether you’re a local or visitor, boarding the bus can save you money while helping reduce congestion in the city. Here’s what you need to know.

Reduced Fares

Here’s the deal:

• – Up to three children can travel for free with a paying adult, making family outings more affordable.
• – Even grandparents with a concessionary pass can enjoy free travel when accompanied by a child.
• – Family fare day tickets are discounted to £5.50, allowing two adults and three children unlimited travel on any operator throughout the day. How good is that?!

Convenient bus routes connect neighbouring villages with York city centre, making it easy to visit attractions like York Minster, Jorvik Viking Centre and Clifford’s Tower among many other places. Or why not use the Park & Ride into York, then buy an All York ticket to explore?

Visit York Minster by bus

Did you know that residents can visit York Minster for free by showing proof of address, providing a wonderful opportunity to explore the city’s iconic landmark? Here are just some of the bus routes that will bring you into town, then it’s just a short walk to the Minster:

– From Wheldrake – York city centre: number 18 (run by East Yorkshire)
– Between Haxby, city centre and Copmanthorpe – York city centre 13Super13 (run by Connexions Buses),
– From Rufforth – York city centre: number 412 (run by Connexions Buses)
– From Strensall – York city centre: number 5 (run by First)
– From Elvington – York city centre: number 36 (run by Pullman Buses)

Do the Snooks Trail 

The Snooks Trail is a fun new character trail run by Visit York, and you can use the bus to do it! Start at the recently reopened Poppleton Bar Park and Ride and meet one of the 21 Snooks scattered across the city. Follow the trail into the city centre by getting on the Number 9 or Number 59 (on a weekday you can catch it from 9.25am) run by First and take a captivating journey through York’s historic cobbled streets and hidden gardens as you go. To head home in the afternoon, catch the No.59 from outside the National Railway Museum at 3.56pm if you need to head home early, or the 6.30pm at the latest.  Find out more about the Snooks Trail here.

Visit other city centre attractions by bus

From museums like the National Railway Museum to indulging in chocolate history at York’s Chocolate Story, York city centre offers plenty of attractions accessible by bus from neighbouring areas. Here are some handy routes:

– From Strensall – York city centre: number 5 (run by First)
– From Elvington – York city centre: number 36 (run by Pullman Buses)
– From Wheldrake – York city centre: number 18 (run by East Yorkshire)
– Between Haxby, city centre and Copmanthorpe – York city centre 13Super13 (run by Connexions Buses),
– From Rufforth – York city centre: number 412 (run by Connexions Buses)

An excursion to Yorkshire Air Museum

Yorkshire Air Museum is a wonderful place for a day out, and you can reach it by bus! The Number 36 bus (Pullman) from York Railway Station (picking up in Fulford and Wheldrake along the way) – makes it easy to reach the York Air Museum from the centre of York, or pick up the route as it goes through town. On a weekday, you could catch the 11.15am from the train station and arrive at the museum by 11.47am. If you’ve only got time for a quick visit, catch the 2.28 pm home but if you’ve got all day to spend, take the 5.08 pm home.

Play at Rowntree Park

Take a quick 4-minute bus journey from York Railway Station to Rowntree Park to enjoy all the park has to offer, from two play areas to a skate park and basketball court, tennis courts, Reading Cafe and ducks!

Shopping and leisure

Teenagers can explore the city independently with affordable fares of £1 per journey, making cinemas and shopping centres easily accessible by bus. The cinemas are really easy to access, with City Screen and Everyman in town, Cineworld at Monks Cross and Vue at Clifton Moor all accessible by bus. Shopping is easy, too, with Monks Cross, Clifton Moor, and the Designer Outlet all on bus routes. Buses for shopping and leisure include: 

• – City Centre – Various buses from home to town
• – Monks Cross – Park & Ride or Number 12
• – Clifton Moor – Number 6 or Number 20
• – Designer Outlet – Number 415 or Number 7

So why not take the bus this Easter? Next time you plan an outing, consider catching the bus for an affordable and hassle-free journey.