North York Moors, Steam Railway & Whitby
Ride through the moors.
Explore Whitby.
Staying outside York?
This railway and Whitby tour can also start from Harrogate or Leeds.
The route shown on this page is the standard York-start version. Selected bookings can also start and finish in Harrogate or Leeds. Different pickup pricing applies, and the day may be adjusted around the railway timetable so the route works naturally from your starting point.
The railway element still runs from Pickering to Goathland. Your driver-guide meets you again at Goathland before continuing privately across the North York Moors to Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay.
Live availability
Choose a railway day.
This tour runs on selected North Yorkshire Moors Railway operating dates. The calendar only shows dates when this tour is available.
Start times vary slightly according to the railway timetable. Your exact York collection time is shown when you choose your date.
Your booking starts with the fixed £395 private-tour price for the whole group. The only variable tour cost is the railway ticket charge, added once for each guest. FareHarbor shows the full total before payment.
Moors to coast
A day trip from York to Whitby, with a railway journey through the moors.
Visit Whitby and the North York Moors on a nine-hour private day trip from York, without hiring a car. We collect your group in York and drive you to Pickering, where you board the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the journey through the National Park to Goathland.
While you enjoy the railway, your driver-guide travels ahead with the vehicle and meets you again when you arrive in Goathland.
From there, continue by private vehicle across the North York Moors towards the coast.
Spend proper time in Whitby before finishing at Robin Hood’s Bay and returning to York.
The road portion of the day is completely private for your own group of up to four guests.
The route
Railway, moors, Whitby and the Yorkshire coast.
York → Pickering Station → North Yorkshire Moors Railway → Goathland → North York Moors → Whitby → Robin Hood’s Bay → York
Pickering Station
Travel privately from York to Pickering and get ready to board the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Heritage Railway
Ride from Pickering through the North York Moors to Goathland on one of Britain’s best-known heritage railways.
Goathland & the Moors
Meet your driver-guide again at Goathland, spend a little time around the village and station, then continue across the moors.
Whitby
The main stop of the day, with time for Whitby Abbey, the harbour, old streets, lunch, shops and independent exploring.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Finish on the coast in the old fishing village before the private drive back to York.
The railway
You ride the railway. We meet you at the other end.
The base private-tour price is £395 for your whole group of up to four guests. Railway tickets are not included in that £395. One Pickering to Goathland ticket charge is added for each guest.
You do not need to make a separate railway booking yourself. We arrange the Pickering to Goathland ticket as part of the day.
While you travel through the moors by rail, your driver-guide travels ahead separately with the vehicle and meets you at Goathland.
The service selected for the tour is scheduled to be steam-hauled. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway may substitute another locomotive if operationally necessary.
- £395 fixed base price for the private tour, up to 4 guests
- One railway ticket charge added per guest
- No separate railway booking required
- Your driver-guide meets you again at Goathland
- Selected railway operating dates only
Before you book
What's included.
The £395 base price covers the private tour for your whole group: vehicle, driver-guide, route planning and York-area collection and return. Railway ticket charges are additional per guest.
- Private vehicle and local driver-guide
- York-area pick-up and return
- Private road tour for up to 4 guests
- FareHarbor booking fee on the private-tour price
- North York Moors scenic drive
- Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay
- Route planning and local recommendations
- Pickering to Goathland railway ticket for each guest
- Whitby Abbey admission
- Other attraction admission unless specifically stated
- Food and drink
- Personal purchases
£395 is the fixed private-tour price for your whole group of up to four guests. Railway tickets are additional and charged once per traveller. The FareHarbor booking fee is already included in the £395 base price, and FareHarbor shows the complete total before you pay.
Your day
What the nine hours look like.
Pick-up in York
We collect you from your hotel, accommodation or another agreed York-area pick-up point. Your start time is confirmed according to the railway timetable for your chosen date.
Pickering Station
Travel privately from York to Pickering. We take care of arranging your railway ticket before you board.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Enjoy the heritage railway journey from Pickering through the North York Moors to Goathland. Your driver-guide travels ahead separately with the vehicle.
Meet again at Goathland
Your driver-guide will be waiting when you arrive. Spend a little time around the historic station and village before continuing by road.
North York Moors
Continue through the National Park by private vehicle, with scenic stops where time and conditions allow.
Whitby
Spend around three hours in Whitby, with time for Whitby Abbey, the harbour, old town, lunch, shops and independent exploring.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Continue to the old fishing village for a final coastal stop before travelling back to York.
Return to York
Travel directly back to your agreed York drop-off point, normally around nine hours after collection.
Common questions
Before you book.
Can I visit Whitby and the North York Moors from York without a car?
Yes. We provide York pick-up and return, a private vehicle and a local driver-guide for your group of up to four. You travel by road to Pickering, take the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Goathland, then continue by private vehicle to Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay. The tour lasts nine hours. The base private-tour price is £395, with railway tickets charged separately per guest.
How much does the tour cost?
The base private-tour price is £395 for your whole group of up to four guests. Railway tickets are additional and charged per guest, so the final total depends on how many people are travelling. The FareHarbor booking fee is included in the £395 base price, and your full total is shown before payment.
Are railway tickets included in the £395 base price?
No. £395 is the fixed base price for the private tour for up to four guests. Railway tickets are additional and one ticket charge is added for each guest. You do not need to arrange the railway separately.
Do I need to book the railway myself?
No. We arrange the Pickering to Goathland railway ticket for you as part of the day. The ticket charge is additional to the £395 private-tour price.
Is the train guaranteed to be steam-hauled?
The service chosen for the tour is scheduled to be steam-hauled. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway may substitute another locomotive if required for operational reasons.
What time does the tour start?
Start times vary according to the railway timetable. Available dates and exact tour start times are shown in the live booking calendar.
Where does the tour go?
Travel privately from York to Pickering Station, then take the railway to Goathland. From Goathland, continue by private vehicle through the North York Moors to Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay before returning to York.
Do we get time to explore Whitby?
Yes. Whitby is the main stop of the day, with around three hours for the Abbey, harbour, old streets, lunch, shops and independent exploration.
Is Whitby Abbey admission included?
No. Whitby Abbey and other attraction admission, food and drinks are not included. The railway ticket is also charged separately per guest from the £395 private-tour price.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Your vehicle, driver-guide and road tour are completely private for your own group of up to four guests. Other members of the public may travel on the railway service.
Where will you pick us up?
York-area collection can be arranged from your hotel, accommodation or another agreed collection point.
Can this tour start from Harrogate or Leeds?
Yes. Selected bookings can also start and finish in Harrogate or Leeds. Different pickup pricing applies, and the day may be adjusted around the railway timetable so the route works naturally from your starting point. See our private tours from Harrogate or private tours from Leeds.
Is the FareHarbor booking fee included?
Yes. The FareHarbor booking fee is included in the £395 private-tour price. Railway tickets are additional per guest.
Is full payment required when booking?
Yes. Full payment is required at the time of booking.
What if the railway timetable changes?
Railway services can occasionally change for operational reasons. If a significant change affects your booked tour, we will contact you to discuss the available options.
What about mobility and accessibility?
Please contact us before booking if anyone in your group has significant mobility requirements. Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay include steep streets, steps and uneven surfaces, but we can adjust the pace and parts of the day where reasonably possible.
Highwayman Tours Journal
Planning a day in Whitby and the North York Moors?
Useful reading about Whitby, reaching the coast from York and exploring Yorkshire without needing to hire a car.
York to Whitby: Best Ways to Get There
Compare public transport, driving and private tour options for reaching Whitby from York.
Read the guide →Is Whitby Worth Visiting From York?
Whitby Abbey, Gothic history, harbour streets and the coast. See why Whitby makes such a strong day trip from York.
Explore the guide →Best Day Trips From York Without a Car
Discover more places beyond York without dealing with car hire or complicated transport planning.
Read the full guide →North York Moors, Steam Railway & Whitby
Railway. Moors. Whitby. Coast. Your group.
Check the live calendar and choose a railway day that works for you.