Whether you’re planning a business trip or visiting family, if you need to book a train ticket to Doncaster, Grand Central has your rail travel needs covered. From outstanding onboard facilities to budget-friendly fares, we’ll make sure your journey to South Yorkshire is smooth and stress-free.
Maybe you’re heading to Doncaster to catch up with friends before going back to university in Sheffield? Did you know Doncaster also boasts one of the UK’s oldest and largest traditional markets and makes for a great day out? Tracing its origins back to AD 43, Doncaster Market now incorporates a number of iconic buildings such as the International Food Hall, Corn Exchange, Fish Market, Wool Market and a vast area of 150 outdoor stalls. The market runs every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and a bric-a-brac market also takes place every Wednesday in the outdoor area. Or perhaps you’re planning a stay in the glorious Peak District? Wherever you’re travelling to, we can keep you connected so you can explore everything that South Yorkshire has to offer.
To find out more about booking your journey with Grand Central, read on. In this guide, we cover the different onboard facilities that are available on our trains, how to book the cheapest train ticket to Doncaster, and what you can do when you get there.
How to get a cheap train ticket to Doncaster
If you’re budgeting for your visit to South Yorkshire, we’ve made it easy for you to buy the cheapest available train ticket for your Doncaster trip. We have a range of wallet-friendly fares available. Here are some tips to help you find the best value for your journey.
Before you start looking at the different ticket types, you’ll need to know when you’re travelling and how flexible you can be about when you take the train. These factors can affect the price you’ll pay.
When you’re searching the different types of train ticket, you’ll see that you can choose from Anytime, Off-peak and Advance. The value fares can be found when you book ahead, so you’re more likely to bag the cheapest train ticket to Doncaster or to other stations in the region if you choose Advance.
To qualify for Advance tickets, you’ll need to know the exact time and date you want to travel, so this is a great choice if you need to be in Doncaster for a specific time. Plus, if you’re a student, you can save more when you book Advance by getting a 25% student discount today. You’ll need your university email address to claim a discount code from the Grand Central website.
If you can be flexible about when you travel, it may be worth looking at Off-peak train times to Doncaster. These tickets are usually valid for travel outside the rush hour and are cheaper than tickets that cover travel during the morning and evening commute.
If you don’t mind when you get there, Anytime tickets can be used on any valid train. This means you’re not committed to travel at a specific time, giving you more time in South Yorkshire.
Look out for other money-saving opportunities, too. Our Multibuy and Group Travel discounts are also ways to pick up cheap train tickets to Doncaster.
What facilities are onboard Grand Central trains?
Wherever you’re heading, whether you’re going to Doncaster or travelling on to Barnsley, we want you to have a relaxing, enjoyable train journey from the moment you step on board to when you arrive at your destination. This is why we have a fantastic range of facilities onboard our trains.
Do you want to catch up on some work emails? Maybe you want to listen to your favourite podcast? We can keep you connected with the free Wi-Fi that’s available for all our passengers.
Feeling hungry? Take your pick from the tasty treats available from our onboard menu, which includes hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks.
If you want to take relaxation to the next level, you’ll find it when you upgrade to First Class. With large reclining seats, plenty of legroom and complimentary snacks and drinks, it’s the perfect way to unwind as you travel.
Are there regular train times to Doncaster and South Yorkshire?
There are lots of Grand Central trains that run to Doncaster and across South Yorkshire, so you’re sure to find a service that fits in with your travel plans. The exact timings and the number of services that are available will depend on which station you’re travelling from.
To find the right train times to Doncaster for your trip, enter your departure station into the box at the top of the page and fill in the rest of your travel details. When you’re ready, tap ‘Search and Buy’ to explore the times that are available.
For information on the latest arrivals and departures across South Yorkshire, download and print our train timetables. These are a great guide to keep with you while you’re on-the-go.
What to do in Doncaster and South Yorkshire
Doncaster – affectionately known as Donny by the locals – is a historic market town located on the southern edge of South Yorkshire. The markets still run here three times a week, so you can enjoy some shopping while in the centre. You can also explore nature reserves and discover an impressive railway heritage that dates to 1853, when the first locomotive works were established in the city.
Away from Doncaster, there is another major city in South Yorkshire to visit. Sheffield is known for its connection to steel, as well as being a popular place to study. You can sit in lush green spaces, wander through the Winter Garden or head to the shops before taking a seat in one of the many eateries for a delicious dining experience.
If you’re looking for an adventure, pop your hiking boots on and make your way to the Peak District. Here, you can walk the trails, hop on a mountain bike or even go alpaca trekking. Thrill seekers can go abseiling or head underground to marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites in Treak Cliff Cavern.
If you can’t wait to take your trip to South Yorkshire, why not take the first step by booking your train ticket to Doncaster today? Whether you’re visiting Doncaster or travelling across the region, you can enjoy getting there with Grand Central.
Grand Central serve the following stations in this region:
Ideas for days out in York and North Yorkshire
York Dungeon
Exciting, scary and hilarious fun.
No place will better fill you in on York’s murky past that the Dungeons! With a cast of brilliant actors, atmospheric sets and fantastic special effects, the York Dungeon will take you on a unique 70-minute thrill-filled journey in time.
Meet a gruesome cast of famous local villains, rogues and murderers. Experience the back-breaking work of the torturer, pay attention in the hilarious courtroom and learn all the gory details about the horrific effects of the plague in Britain.
Booking
0871 423 2260
Location
The York Dungeon
12 Clifford Street,
York
YO1 9RD
The National Railway Museum
Get up close to over 300 years of fascinating rail history in York’s only National Museum.
Come face to face with over 300 years of railway history at York’s National Railway Museum. Located right next to York train station, you can discover iconic locomotives including the Japanese Bullet Train, The Mallard and The Rocket.
Watch engineering work in progress in The Workshop and discover how the Channel Tunnel was constructed with a life-size replica display. Kids will love the simulator ride and the mini road train that takes you right into the heart of York every 30 minutes.
The Museum also runs free fun family activities throughout school holidays including science shows, interactive storytelling and live demonstrations.
Visit here for more information.
Jorvik Viking Centre
A journey into the sights, sounds and smells of Viking York
No visit to York is complete without a trip to the famous Jorvik Viking Centre. Take a seat on the newly-updated ride experience and discover houses, workshops and backyards from the Viking-age city of York (Known then as Jorvik).
Explore ancient and rare artefacts and experience what it was like living in the city 1,000 years ago - the sights, the sounds and even the smells are all as vivid today as they were back then.
Visit here for more information.
Great Yorkshire Show
One of the biggest farming festivals in the country
An iconic three-day event to celebrate British agriculture; The Great Yorkshire Show is a fantastic day out for all the family to enjoy. Each year the event welcomes over 130,000 visitors and over 8,000 animals for competitions, celebrations and fun times!
Feast on local produce, sip on locally-brewed Yorkshire ale and enjoy the festivities as they unfold around you. Kids will love the Discovery Zone, where they can get their faces painted, meet newly born animals and get creative with a host of countryside crafts and activities.
Visit here for more information
Newby Hall & Gardens
Explore 25 acres of award-winning gardens, house and miniature railway in glorious Grand Central livery.
Newby Hall is one of England’s renowned Adam houses, where you will find a rare set of Gobelins Tapestries, a gallery of classical statuary and some of Chippendale’s finest furniture. Surrounding the Hall is 25 acres of stunning gardens, filled with rare and beautiful plants and trees.
There is a wonderful orchard area to enjoy picnics or food from the café, and a contemporary sculpture park showcasing the works of international artists. Newby Hall is a favourite destination for children, young and older, because of the miniature railway (in glorious Grand Central livery!) which runs around the grounds and by the side of the River Ure. There is also an action-packed outdoor play park and boat lake featuring self-pedalling floaters.
Booking
Location
Newby Hall & Gardens,
Ripon,
HG4 5AE
The Shambles
A real-life Diagon Alley, for the Harry Potter fan in everyone
Four separate wizarding shops on one of Britain's oldest, most scenic streets!
Wandering down the cobbles, seeing the buildings leaning in so close they almost touch, you could be forgiven for feeling a sense of magic in the air.
No trip to York is complete without a wander down the Shambles, a Medieval street bearing the marks of history, and more than a little whimsy.
Since opening in 2017, The Shop That Must Not Be Named has proved a hit with Muggles, and has since been joined by The Boy Wizard and The World of Wizardry, all selling a range of merchandise. Wander a bit further down the street and you'll find yourself in The Potions Cauldron, teaching you how to brew your own "potions" and brews!
Location
The Shambles
York
YO1 7LX
DIG
Be an archaeologist for the day at DIG and work in one of four replica excavation pits.
Be an archaeologist for the day at DIG and work in one of four replica excavation pits.
Discover DIG! At DIG, you get to discover only the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history hidden under the streets of York.
With four excavation pits filled with Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds, you can grab a trowel and dig up the clues that show how people lived in these times.
Accompanied by a real archaeologist, DIG offers you a unique opportunity to experience archaeological techniques, examine real archaeological finds and work in one of four replica excavation pits.
Booking
Location
St.Saviour’s Church,
St.Saviourgate,
York,
YO1 8NN