In November 2008, the Daily Telegraph voted the City of York as the Britain's Best City. It is one of the major tourist destinations in Britain, and attracts visitors from around the world.

York is, at times, referred to as the "Capital of the North" and "Chocolate City". Some places that you should check out when you visit York are York Minister, Clifford's Tower and The Shambles. York Minister, which is located in the heart of the city, is the second largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Clifford's Tower has historic significance, as it was the site where in 1190 many Jews preferred taking their own lives rather than facing violent mobs. The Shambles is lined with shops, tearooms and boutiques, and will remind you of narrow streets during the medieval period.

The City of York does not have its own airport, but excellent rail and road links to all major cities in the UK. If you are an international traveller then you will have to take a train from the airport to York's railway station. The easiest and the fastest way of getting to York is from Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds Bradford airports. You have direct trains from these cities and the journey takes less than two hours. If you travel from London airport then it will take you nearly three hours to reach York.

By Air

As already mentioned, the City of York does not have its own airport. Here is a brief run down of how you can reach York when you arrive at:

a) London Airport

If you arrive at Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick or Luton airports, you need to take a train (or the underground) and hop off at King's Cross - St. Pancras Station. The journey from London's Heathrow Airport takes about 1-hour. You have to take the Underground to reach King's Cross. If you arrive at Gatwick Airport then you will have to take Brighton to Bedford train; this will take you to St. Pancras Station.
The train service between these stations is frequent and convenient. St. Pancras station is within short walking distance from King's Cross Station. Travellers who arrive at Stansted Airport can take an NXEC (National Express East Coast) service to Tottenham, and from there they can use the Underground to reach King's Cross Station.

They can also take a Snowdrop Travel Express Coach, which will take them directly to King's Cross Station. You can access the Coach station from the terminal.

The bus service is frequent and departs from Bay 11. If you arrive at London's Luton Airport then you have to catch a shuttle bus from Bay 1, which takes you to Luton Airport Parkway train station. From here you can catch the Bedford to Brighton train which will take you St. Pancras Station. Once you reach King's Cross Station you will have to take NXEC service. The train takes about two hours to reach York.

It is always better to book your tickets in advance because it is convenient and they are available at lower rates.

b) Leeds Bradford Airport

Leeds Airport is closest to York. The York Air Coach is an hourly shuttle that takes you from Leeds Airport to York City. The shuttle can be boarded from Stand 5, which is just outside the departure hall. It will take about 50 minutes to reach York.

c) Newcastle Airport

If you arrive at Newcastle Airport and want to reach York then take to metro from the airport to Newcastle Central Station. From there catch a Trans Pennine Express to York. The total time taken to reach York from Newcastle airport is roughly two hours.

d) Manchester Airport

People arriving at Manchester Airport can catch direct train to York station. It will take about two hours to reach York.

By Train

Train travel is the simplest and the most convenient mode of travel to York. The city has excellent rail links to almost all major cities of the UK. Euro star, Rail Easy and National Rail are few popular train service providers that have services to York. Advance booking is advisable, as they are cheaper when compared to spot bookings. Bookings for most trains open 9 weeks before the scheduled departure of the train.

By Road

You can hire a car or travel by coach to York. Getting to York by car is easily done, as the city is just twenty minutes drive from the M1/M62 motorway network. If you are planning to go by coach then travel by National Express. They not only provide good customer service but also connect York to all the major cities in the UK.

By Sea

European tourists can easily reach York from the P&O Sea Ferries terminal at Kingston-upon-Hull in an hour's time. There are daily sailings from Kingston-upon-Hull to countries like Holland and Belgium.