A day in York by train from Leeds: journey time and a short plan

York is close enough to Leeds that you can decide over breakfast and be walking the walls before lunch. The trains are direct, the city is small, and most of what you want is within a short stroll of the station.

Getting there from Leeds station

It is about 22 miles. No change is needed. The fastest trains take around 21 to 22 minutes, according to Trainline, while slower services take around 40 minutes. Northern's own page shows some indirect or slow options stretching past an hour, so pick a fast direct train when you book.

Northern, TransPennine Express and CrossCountry all run the route. Northern says trains leave about every 28 minutes, and its fares start from £6.00 on the Northern journey planner. Advance singles can be a few pounds, so book ahead if you can. Check National Rail or an operator site for the current return price and for any engineering works the day before.

Groups of three to nine can save up to a third on Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets, and Northern lists Kids Go Half Price and Explorer 55 as options. Go by train rather than driving: the long stay car park at York station is listed at £20 a day, and Leeds station parking is £23.

A short plan

Morning: York Minster

The Minster is about a 10 minute walk from York station, roughly 1km. It is on Deangate and Minster Yard, in the city centre. Sightseeing runs 9:30am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, with the building closing at 5pm. Sunday sightseeing is much shorter, 12:45 to 2:30pm. Services run through the day, so some areas may be restricted.

Tickets for the Minster alone are £20 for adults and £16 for students. Add the Central Tower and it is £26 for adults. Children aged 17 and under go free with a paying adult, up to four per adult, and the ticket is valid for a full calendar year. Details are on the York Minster visit page.

Midday: the Shambles and a tea room

The Shambles is a medieval lane in central York, free to wander, with many buildings dating from the 14th century. It is said to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Tea rooms, boutiques and independent shops line it, per Visit England.

For a sit down, Bettys Café Tea Rooms is at 6 to 8 St Helen's Square. Bettys says its main café and shop there is still open, though the Stonegate café has closed (that shop remains open). The building dates from 1937, with art deco looks and Swiss heritage, according to Square Meal. It is a famous tea room, so expect a queue and book if you can.

Afternoon: Clifford's Tower or the railway museum

Clifford's Tower on Tower Street is the largest surviving part of York Castle, run by English Heritage. Winter hours show 10am to 4pm daily, with last entry at 3.30pm, so do it early in the afternoon. There is a timber roof platform with 360 degree views. Check English Heritage for the current ticket price.

Or head back towards the station for the National Railway Museum on Leeman Road. Entry is free, with booking online recommended and walk up entry available. It is open 10am to 5pm, last admission 4.30pm. It is known for Mallard, the world's fastest steam locomotive, and a Japanese bullet train. Check the museum site for current hours.

Things to know

• JORVIK Viking Centre at Coppergate Walk is listed as closed for maintenance from 2 to 8 November, reopening on 9 November. Check before you travel if you plan a visit later.
• The City Walls are free, run about 3.4km and take around two hours to walk in full. They open about 8am and close at dusk, and shut in ice or strong winds.
• Light fades early in early November, so keep the walls for the morning or early afternoon.

Then it is a short walk back to the station and home to Leeds in about 22 minutes if you catch a fast one.