After the Sunday Times named Ilkley the best place to live (you can read that article
here) and after we discussed why Ilkley is a great place to work which you can read about in an
earlier blog here, we thought the next best article we could write is all about commuting to Ilkley. So, if you’re living in Leeds or Bradford for example and you need to commute to Ilkley, we’ve got you covered as we talk through transport options, on-the-go lunch ideas and even entertainment for your daily commute.
Getting to Ilkley by train
If you do need to commute to Ilkley, you are definitely spoiled for choice when it comes to transport links. First and foremost, if you don’t drive, trains can be a fantastic option for quick and easy commuting to and from Ilkley. There are train lines that run regular and efficient services between Leeds and Ilkley and Ilkley and Bradford Foster Square. In terms of commuting times by train here’s what you need to know:
- Leeds to Ilkley - 34-minutes via train
- Bradford to Ilkley - 36 minutes via train
- London to Ilkley - 2 hours and 51 minutes with a change at Leeds Train Station
What we love most about Ilkley’s train station is that it offers a a great environmentally friendly option, even if you do drive. The distance between these places isn’t far at all and all you need to do, is sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
Travelling to Ilkley by bus
The bus service to and from Ilkley is great for connecting you to other close-by places such as Otley and Harrogate. You can grab the X52 Wharfe ConneXion bus from Harrogate to Ilkley which takes around 54 minutes, while the X84 bus will get you from Otley to Ilkley in approximately 25 minutes.
Commuting to Ilkley by car
Of course, if you’re looking to drive, you have a plethora of options. Here are some of the key commuter routes between Ilkley and other key cities:
- Leeds to Ilkley - 48 minutes, (17.1 mi) via the A660 or A65
- Bradford to Ilkley - 42 minutes, (11.9 mi) via Moor Rd or A65
- Harrogate to Ilkley - 37 minutes, (17.4 mi) via Otley Rd/B6162 or A59
Then, if you’re looking at long haul trips, a drive from London will take 4 hours and 33 minutes (228.4 mi) via the A1 and a trip all the way from Edinburgh, is 4 hours and 15 minutes (192.7 mi) via the M6.
Getting to Ilkley by bike
It’s also worth remembering that if you’re a cyclist, you can of course bring that on the train for the latter part of your commute or if you’re living in Ilkley, you’ve got the perfect form of transportation right there! Ilkley is a very easy and convenient place to travel around by bike and there’s the
Ilkley Cycling Club, to help with everything from the best bike routes to bike maintenance and support.
Travelling internationally to and from Ilkley
If you’re coming from another country, or you have a client commuting to Ilkley from another country, there’s a lot of international transport options to get yourself connected to this fantastic town.
If you are travelling by plane, the closest airport to Ilkley would be Leeds Bradford Airport. Once you touchdown here, you can get from the airport to Ilkley by car in 20 minutes or take the A3 Flyer bus from the airport to Otley and then take the X84 bus to Ilkley for the rest of the journey. This takes approximately about 54 minutes. Another option is to take the A3 Flyer bus to Leeds train station, but this combination of bus and train will take an extra 10 minutes.
You can also travel via ferry from countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and France straight to Hull. From Hull to Ilkley, your best and quickest option is to travel via public transport. You can get a train from Hull to Leeds and then from Leeds to Ilkley, which will take you around 1 hour and 43 minutes. If you prefer to drive, it takes about the same time, so maybe save on the fuel money and get the train on this one!
If you’re getting the ferry from Dublin, you’ll arrive in Holyhead. It’s about a 3 hour and 28-minute drive to Ilkley from there. Then it is about 5 hours and 7 minutes if you’re looking at getting the train to Ilkley from Holyhead.
How to do lunch on the go if you’re working in Ilkley
If you’re looking to pick up some lunch or essentials in Ilkley before starting your commute, there’s a Tesco about 7 minutes away from the train station, as well as a Boots about 3 minutes away.
However, if you’re looking for some more exclusive Ilkley takeaway spots for your lunch, we have a couple of Ilkley’s trademark eateries to recommend to you.
Pranzo is rated the top takeaway in Ilkley on
Tripadvisor. It’s a great, cozy little Italian spot where you can either takeaway or sit in. It’s a 20-minute walk from the station, and a 3-minute drive. We’d also recommend
39, a fantastic café/bakehouse where you can get a whole range of tasty lunchtime meals and desserts. This place is a 5-minute walk from the station.
Our top tips for beating the boredom on your daily commute
Now you know your commute times and options, perhaps you’re looking for something to tide the commute over, entertainment wise? There’s a whole lot of options for you but allow us to make some of our favourite recommendations. If you’re a football fan, and you’re local, give the Official Leeds Utd Podcast a go, it’s just one option among a range of different Leeds United podcasts out there! There’s also plenty of playlists on Spotify that are dedicated to commutes too, especially if you’re struggling to find the right music to listen to from your regular music library. The Morning Commute list has some great artists on there, including Paolo Nutini and Florence + The Machine.
And there you have it! If you’re lucky enough to be working in Ilkley, that should be all you need to know regarding your commute but if you’ve got any tips or ideas that you find useful on your Ilkley commute, we’d love to hear them. Please comment on our socials and let us know!