Travel tips · York · United Kingdom
York travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
York is friendly, unhurried and proud of its long history; Yorkshire people are known for being direct and welcoming. The city's identity mixes its heritage, its university population, horse racing on the Knavesmire and a strong pub and tearoom culture.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- GBP
- Plugs
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe and good to drink.
- Emergency
- 999 or 112
Things to know
- Queue patiently at tearooms, bus stops and attractions; queue-jumping is frowned upon.
- Order and pay at the bar in pubs.
- Keep quiet during services in the Minster and smaller churches.
- Stand aside on the narrow wall walkways and lanes to let others pass.
- Locals may call you 'love'; it is a friendly greeting.
- Book JORVIK Viking Centre ahead: Timed-entry tickets bought online help avoid long queues in summer and at half-term.
- The city walls, the Shambles, the National Railway Museum, the Museum Gardens and Holy Trinity Goodramgate are free.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in pubs. In restaurants and tearooms with table service, about 10% is usual for good service; check whether a service charge has been added.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ey up | Hello (Yorkshire greeting) |
| Snicket | A narrow alleyway (York's are also called snickelways) |
| Gate | Street (from the Old Norse gata), as in Stonegate |
| Bar | A gateway in the city walls |
What to wear
Casual; bring comfortable shoes for the walls' uneven stone steps and a waterproof jacket at any time of year.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe and good to drink.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112
- Phone and internet
- 4G and 5G coverage is good across the city; non-UK visitors can buy a local SIM or use an eSIM, and EU roaming terms depend on your provider.
- Time zone
- Europe/London
York is generally low-risk for visitors. Pickpockets occasionally work crowded streets at the Christmas market and on race days, and the city centre can be rowdy late on race-day evenings. The walls have uneven steps and low parapets in places, and riverside paths can flood in winter.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United Kingdom's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in York?
Tipping is not expected in pubs. In restaurants and tearooms with table service, about 10% is usual for good service; check whether a service charge has been added.
+Can you drink the tap water in York?
Tap water is safe and good to drink.
+What plugs are used in York?
Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in York?
English.