Trains to Harrogate can whisk you to this beautiful Victorian spa town from all over the UK, so you'll be enjoying this truly fashionable spa resort in no time. Located in the county of Yorkshire, Harrogate is famous for producing its own delicious gin – a must-try when in the area!
You can easily reach Harrogate by train from London in 2h 59m, from Leeds in 33m and from York in 35m. Ready to book? Start a search in our Journey Planner for trains to Harrogate and we’ll show you times and tickets. Keep reading to find out more about train companies, how to find cheap train tickets to Harrogate and what to do once you get there.
How to find cheap train tickets to Harrogate
If you want to bag yourself some cheap train tickets to Harrogate, there are several convenient methods you can make use of. Whether you’re travelling to Harrogate on business or to explore and take in the sights, we’ll share our top tips for knocking the pounds off your rail fares.
Our top tips for finding cheap train tickets to Harrogate:
- Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 for a whole year
- Book tickets to Harrogate in advance: LNER, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express usually release tickets 12 weeks in advance
- Travel Off-Peak: Tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends
- Use GroupSave: If you're travelling in a group of 3-9 people you could save 1/3
1. Get a Railcard
One of the best ways to save money on your train journeys is to equip yourself with a Railcard. If you travel to Harrogate or other locations by train more than a couple of times a year, it’s well worth shelling out for one, since you’ll be looking at saving up to 1/3 off the price of your train tickets*. There are some eligibility requirements though, so head on over to our Railcards page for a quick guide. Railcards cater to different age ranges and circumstances so, from the Senior Railcard to the Disabled Persons Railcard and the newly-introduced 26-30 Railcard (Millennial Railcard), you'll be sure to find your match.
2. Book tickets to Harrogate in advance
Another tactic that can help you secure cheap train tickets to Harrogate is to purchase your tickets as far ahead as possible. In many cases, the earlier you buy an Advance ticket, the cheaper it’ll be. Most train companies release their tickets 12 weeks before the departure date, but we have a handy tool known as Ticket Alerts that can email you as soon as they become available for your preferred route. Sign up, and we’ll do the work for you, just in case you forget to check!
Want to learn more? Head over to our Advance train tickets page for additional info.
3. Travel during Off-Peak times
To stand a good chance at saving even more money, make sure to book your Advance ticket for an Off-Peak time. Off-Peak trains require you to travel at certain times of the day, certain days in the week or via a particular route, offering good value for money. If you then add your Railcard discount to your Off-Peak train ticket, you’ll be well on your way towards cheap rail travel.
For more details, check out our Off-Peak train tickets page.
Before you book your tickets to Harrogate, have a quick check that your Return tickets are cheaper than two Singles. At times, it’s possible that one way can be cheaper than the other.
4. Travelling as a group? Use GroupSave
Last, but not least, there are discounts available for those travelling in groups of three to nine. Perfect if you’re going on a family trip or heading to Harrogate with friends, you could save up to 1/3 thanks to GroupSave, a type of free discount that can be applied to your Off-Peak tickets if you book for the correct amount of people. Please bear in mind that GroupSave is not applicable for all journeys by the different train companies and will be applied if valid for your journey and selected in the Railcard dropdown. All tickets must be purchased in a single booking, and all passengers must travel together on the day of departure.
For even more hints on how to save money on your rail fares, check out our cheap train tickets page.
*Conditions and peak travel time exclusions may apply on some Railcard types.
Popular train journeys to Harrogate
It’s easy to get to Harrogate by train from all over the UK. Direct trains run daily from London to Harrogate, as well as connecting to mainline services at Leeds and York. These connections provide access to Harrogate from as far afield as Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham and Manchester. Have a look at our table below – we’ve highlighted these and other popular routes – or use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to start your search.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| London to Harrogate | 2h 44m | LNER |
| Manchester to Harrogate | 1h 31m | TransPennine Express, EMR, LNER, Transport for Wales |
| Edinburgh to Harrogate | 3h 11m | CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, LNER |
| Newcastle to Harrogate | 1h 35m | CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, LNER |
| Durham to Harrogate | 1h 23m | CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, LNER |
| York to Harrogate | 32m | Northern Rail |
| Leeds to Harrogate | 26m | LNER |
| Knaresborough to Harrogate | 8m | Northern Rail |
Visiting Harrogate
The first thing to do when you get to Harrogate is to go on one of the available tours. Guided tours of Harrogate will help you appreciate and understand the history of the town. There are also food tours as well as luxury tours of the Yorkshire Dales. There is plenty of history and heritage in the town, but also relaxing spas and outdoor activities.
From Harrogate train station, Victoria Shopping Centre is a stone’s throw away, as is the main high street, where you can enjoy a wide range of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Head to the shopping centre or up James Street until you reach the main road, and turn right to reach the Turkish Baths and Health Spa in just 3 minutes – a fabulous experience in a Victorian bathhouse. Around the corner to the left and another three-minute walk is the Mercer Art Gallery, situated less than a minute from the Royal Pump Room Museum, which demonstrates Harrogate’s history as a spa town. Opposite this is the 17-acre expanse of Valley Gardens – a beautiful park full of winding walkways, impressive trees and manicured flowerbeds. It is also home to The Sun Pavilion, a lovely venue popular for events.
Need more inspiration? Read our guide on how to spend a weekend in Harrogate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main train station in Harrogate?
The main train station in Harrogate is Harrogate railway station. Check out live arrivals and station facilities for Harrogate railway station.
Which train companies run trains to Harrogate?
The primary operator of trains to Harrogate is Northern.
How do I find cheap tickets to Harrogate?
It's easy to bag cheap train tickets to Harrogate. We'd recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.
Are trains to Harrogate running?
There are frequent daily services to Harrogate, although there may be fewer services on weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Harrogate.