Trains to Scarborough

"What remains is the holiday-resort atmosphere that ran away with the town in the 18th and 19th centuries, capitalising on Scarborough's natural spa waters." Lonely Planet

Tip 1: Buy advance tickets to make savings
Ensure you purchase the cheapest tickets by booking as far in advance as possible. Advance fares are usually released by the train operating companies up to 12 weeks before your desired departure date so start searching for them anytime from then. The quicker you can book them the more likely you are to find them available as these tickets are in high demand and can sell out quite quickly. If it isn't possible to plan your journey this far in advance then sometimes you might discover that they are still available up to 1hr before you're due to travel.

Scarborough is famous for its two attractive beaches that draw a huge crowd of local holidaymakers each year. As the third-largest town in North Yorkshire, Scarborough has a population of around 60,000. It used to be a medieval fishing village known for its natural spa waters; nowadays, the thriving area is dotted with Victorian-style spa resorts and a number of luxury hotels.

Tip 2: Booking fees create unnecessary costs
A lot of ticket retailers charge booking fees whenever you take a journey using them which can make the costs higher. Split My Fare doesn't charge these fees or make you pay for using your credit card. We only charge 10% of any savings we make for you by splitting your fare. If you don't find a split ticket we won't charge you.

Tip 3: You can claim if your train is late
It's not always guaranteed that your train will be on time but if it is late you can claim a refund from the train operator. Using the Delay Repay scheme you may be eligible for a full or partial refund, it is worth checking their policy and then claiming the compensation through them. You could be surprised and might be able to claim even if the delay is as little as 15 minutes.

Tip 4: More popular routes tend to be more expensive
Demand affects ticket prices and as such costs can fluctuate depending on how quickly they are selling. Normally if you travel on more popular routes to busy places at busy times the fare will be higher. Opting to go during the week and avoiding busy holiday times can help keep the price down.

Tip 5: Booking as a group can get discounts
Scarborough is a great location to have seaside fun if you are going away as a group. The cheapest way of making group bookings is to use the groupsave discount scheme, if you book together and travel together on an off-peak train you get up to 1/3 off and the saving will automatically be applied at checkout. The easiest way to do this is to select to receive E-Tickets when booking, you can then forward these to the group avoiding the need for multiple paper train tickets. This discount only comes into place if there are 3-9 people travelling together.

The TransPennine Express runs an hourly train service towards Scarborough station, with an onward connection to the cities of York, Leeds, Manchester, and the rest of the country. Northern Rail also runs a less frequent service towards Scarborough before going to Bridlington railway station.

If you want to go to some events in the city, there's no better place than Southsea Common, a ten-acre open space where you'll also find Southsea Castle. One of King Henry VII's most famous hideaways, according to history, it is from this castle that the King watched his vessel, the Mary Rose, sink into the ocean.

Tip 6: Return tickets aren't always cheaper
When catching a Scarborough train and returning to the place you departed from you might think a return ticket will be the cheapest option but this is not always the case. Another cheap way of travelling might be to buy 2 single tickets so it is worth comparing the different choices, Split My Fare will automatically compare the options to get you cheap train tickets.

Tip 7: A slow train can save money
It might be that you're in a hurry, if this is the case you can choose to only see the fastest fares on our website. Going on a slower, less direct train giving you a more leisurely trip to Scarborough you might find cheap tickets. We will always suggest the cheapest available train ticket unless you select to only see the fastest options.

Tip 8: Discover how much more luxury costs
A less obvious way of getting a good deal is to check the price of first-class tickets compared to standard. It might seem strange but when demand for these tickets is lower, prices go down and can be comparable to or even cheaper than the standard fare. The added perk is that you arrive at your destinations having travelled in comfort with a larger seat and free food and drinks.

Most of the attractions in Scarborough run along the seafront, with a few of them in the town centre which require a short walk inland towards a steep main road. Scarborough Castle is the most prominent attraction in the city; it rises majestically on top of the headland. Legend has it that Richard I loves the view in this area so much that his ghost keeps coming back here.

It is also worth checking out the Sea Life Sanctuary, at this family-friendly attraction you get to witness the marine life up close including colourful coral reefs, octopuses, seahorses, turtles, and other fascinating marine life creatures. Museum fanatics should check out the Rotunda museum, a museum that’s dedicated to the coastal geology of Northeast Yorkshire and has yielded Britain's most significant dinosaur fossils.

Tip 9: If you're a regular traveller then purchase a railcard
Railcards are one of the best ways of keeping rail ticket prices down every time you make a trip. Even if you travel by train a few times a year it is worth buying one. They are as little as £30 and most of them make 1/3 discount everytime they are used. Having a card also means getting free entry into attractions and other discounts.

The Two Together card allows two adults who regularly take journeys together to save up to 1/3. The Friends and Family card allows 4 adults and 4 kids to save money when they go on the same train, children save 60% and adults get 1/3 discount. The Senior Railcard is only £70 for three years and there is also a Disabled Persons Railcard, Network Railcard and 16-25 Railcard. Other cards are available, more information can be found on the railcard website and you can buy them from any National Rail Ticket Office .

Tip 10: Savings can be made by being flexible
You can normally find cheap train tickets if you are prepared to be flexible with your plans, looking at different dates, times and staying away from rush hour all contribute. Our planner will help you find cheap rail fares by easily comparing different dates and train times.