No car? No problem. Here’s how to travel from Pickering to Whitby by bus or heritage railway.
Travelling from Pickering to Whitby without a car is simple if you plan ahead. The Coastliner 840 bus runs between Pickering and Whitby, while the North Yorkshire Moors Railway offers heritage train services to Whitby on selected dates and timetables.
Both routes take you through the North York Moors, making the journey part of the experience rather than just a way to reach the coast. Here’s everything you need to know about travelling from Pickering to Whitby by bus and rail.
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Pickering to Whitby by bus
The main direct public bus route between Pickering and Whitby is the Coastliner 840. You may also see the timetable listed as 840/843. Visitors travelling from Pickering to Whitby should look for the 840 Whitby service. From Pickering, the route travels through the North York Moors, with the published route including Thornton le Dale, Goathland, Sleights and Ruswarp before reaching Whitby.
This makes the bus a useful option for travelling without driving. It can also work well if you want to stop off at one of the villages along the way, as long as the timetable fits your plans!
Why take the bus?
The Pickering to Whitby bus route combines practical public transport with some of the best-known scenery in the area. In 2018, the Coastliner 840 route between Malton and Whitby was named Britain’s Most Scenic Bus Route after a public vote.
For the Pickering to Whitby stretch, the route offers moorland views, village stops and a way to reach the coast without worrying about parking in Whitby.
Before you travel
Always check the latest Coastliner 840 timetable before setting off. Bus times, stops and service patterns can change, and North Yorkshire Council notes that timetable changes are updated weekly.
It is also worth checking which Pickering stop is most convenient for you, as the timetable includes several stops in and around the town before the route continues towards Whitby.
Latest Coastliner 840 timetable.
Pickering to Whitby by rail
Can you get from Pickering to Whitby by train?
Yes, you can travel from Pickering to Whitby by train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Please note that this only applies when the right services are running. The NYMR is a heritage railway, so it is best treated as a day out rather than a standard year-round rail connection.
Where does the railway go?
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs through the North York Moors, with services calling at Pickering, Levisham, Newtondale Halt, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby.
The full line is 24 miles long. It includes some of the area’s best-known heritage railway stations, including Goathland and Grosmont, before continuing towards the coast.
Why take the train?
Taking the train from Pickering to Whitby is a memorable way to cross the North York Moors. Depending on the timetable, services may be operated by heritage steam or diesel trains, giving the journey a very different feel from a regular public transport trip.
It is a good choice if you want the journey itself to be part of your day out. With countryside views, heritage stations and a relaxed arrival into Whitby.
Before you travel
Always check the latest North Yorkshire Moors Railway timetable before planning your trip. Services vary by date, timetable, special events and operating schedule, and not every service will necessarily run the full route to Whitby.
You should also check fares, booking options and return times before travelling, especially if you are planning to visit Whitby for the day and return to Pickering by train.
Pickering to Whitby by bus or rail: which is better for your trip?
Both the Coastliner 840 bus and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway can get you from Pickering to Whitby, but they suit slightly different types of trip.
Choose the bus if you want practical public transport
The Coastliner 840 is usually the better option for a straightforward journey from Pickering to Whitby. It runs on a regular public bus route, so it is useful for day trips and travelling without a car.
It is also a good choice if you want to avoid driving across the moors or finding parking once you arrive in Whitby.
Choose the railway if you want the journey to be part of the day out
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is the better option if you want a heritage railway experience. Services run through the North York Moors and may continue to Whitby on selected dates and at selected times.
This is ideal if you want to enjoy the scenery, visit heritage stations and make the journey itself part of your visit.
Can you do both?
Depending on the timetables, it may be possible to travel one way by bus and the other by rail. This can be a great way to experience both routes, but you should check the latest Coastliner and NYMR times carefully before planning your day.
Places to look out for between Pickering and Whitby
The journey from Pickering to Whitby is part of the appeal, whether you travel by bus, rail, or a mix of both. Here are some of the main places to know about along the way:
- Pickering: The starting point for many journeys to Whitby. Pickering is served by the Coastliner 840 bus and is also the southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
- Thornton le Dale: A pretty village on the Coastliner 840 bus route between Pickering and Whitby. It is a good place to know about if you want to break up the bus journey.
- Goathland: Served by both the Coastliner 840 bus and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Goathland is well known for its links to Heartbeat, and Goathland Station was used as Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film.
- Grosmont: A key stop on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Grosmont is a popular place for railway enthusiasts and is also on the Esk Valley Railway line between Middlesbrough and Whitby.
- Sleights: A village on the Coastliner 840 route towards Whitby. It sits close to the River Esk and is one of the final villages before you reach the coast.
- Ruswarp: Another stop on the Coastliner 840 route before Whitby. Ruswarp is close to the River Esk and has its own station on the Esk Valley Railway line.
- Whitby: The end point for both the Coastliner 840 bus and selected North Yorkshire Moors Railway services. From the bus and railway stations, you are well placed for the harbour, town centre, Whitby Abbey, the old town and the beach.
Before you travel, check the latest bus and railway timetables, confirm your return journey, and allow extra time if you are visiting during weekends, school holidays or busy summer periods. Whether you choose the bus, the railway, or a mix of both, the journey across the North York Moors is a memorable part of a day out in Whitby.
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