York is built for walking, virtually every dog-friendly venue is reachable on foot from the city walls, but for day trips, the train, the local First York buses, and the open-top sightseeing bus all accept leashed dogs free of charge.
LNER runs the East Coast Main Line through York, direct trains to London King's Cross (1h50), Edinburgh (2h30) and Newcastle (1h). Up to two dogs travel free per passenger; assistance dogs always free. Carry small dogs or keep medium/large dogs on a leash and on the floor.
💡 Reserve your own seat in advance, LNER has dog-friendly carriages but no specific dog seats. Avoid first class with a large dog (more enforced floor space rules).
First York operates all main city bus lines including the Park & Ride routes from outside the walls. Well-behaved leashed dogs are accepted free of charge at the driver's discretion, buses can be busy at peak hours, calmer between 09:30-15:00.
💡 Park & Ride from Askham Bar or Monks Cross saves city-centre traffic, leashed dogs are accepted on these shuttle buses.
Sightseeing river cruises on the Ouse departing from King's Staith Landing. Leashed dogs travel free on all daytime cruises, with a dedicated open-deck section at the rear of each boat. The 45-min city cruise passes Lendal Bridge, the Guildhall and the city walls.
💡 The early morning cruise (10:30) is the quietest and the river light is best, book online to skip the King's Staith queue.
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Premier Inn York City (Blossom St North)
★★★ · 8.4/10
€75/night
Hotel Indigo York
★★★★ · 8.6/10
€165/night
The Principal York
★★★★ · 8.8/10
€210/night
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