Whitby is about 18.6 miles from Scarborough, so it can work as a day trip from the coast. You can travel by bus or car, then spend your time around the harbour, old town and Whitby Abbey.
- Distance: about 18.6 miles between Scarborough and Whitby.
- Bus: Arriva’s X93 connects the towns.
- Rail: Whitby has a rail connection from Middlesbrough via the Esk Valley Railway, not a direct train from Scarborough.
- Abbey walk: Whitby Abbey is a 15-minute walk from Whitby station.
Scarborough station is about a 14-minute walk from Green Gables Hotel, a hotel in Scarborough.
Choosing transport from Scarborough
Arriva service X93 runs between Middlesbrough, Guisborough, Whitby and Scarborough. Visit Whitby also names services 5, 5A, X5 and 93 among routes connecting Whitby with Scarborough or Middlesbrough. Check Visit Whitby’s official site before you go for current bus details.
If you are driving, the A171 via Guisborough is an approach from the north and the A169 via Pickering is an approach from the south. The Esk Valley Railway serves Whitby from Middlesbrough, not Scarborough; the line runs 35 miles between Middlesbrough and Whitby.
Moorsbus is another car-free option, available from April to October. Check its timetable when planning your trip.
A manageable day in Whitby
A simple plan is to start around the harbour and old town, then leave time for the walk up to Whitby Abbey and back.
Once you arrive, use the harbour as your first reference point for exploring the town. The old town and abbey views make a natural combination for a day out, with the abbey accessible on foot from the station. You can keep the day centred on these areas rather than building in extra stops that depend on particular transport connections.
For another day out from the same base, a coast-to-town route for one day in Scarborough focuses on the nearby town.
Harbour, old town and abbey views
Whitby’s harbour, old town and abbey give you a compact focus for exploring on foot.
Set aside time for the harbour and old town before heading to Whitby Abbey. The abbey is a 15-minute walk from Whitby station, according to the National Rail onward-travel map. That makes it possible to include the site in a walking-based visit after arriving by rail from Middlesbrough.
English Heritage directs visitors to its prices and opening times information for Whitby Abbey and says you can book online. Check those details as part of planning your visit.
Timing the return to Scarborough
Plan your return around the transport service you intend to use, and confirm its current timetable before setting off.
For a bus day trip, check the return service as well as the journey to Whitby so you can pace your time around the harbour, old town and abbey. If travelling by car, the A171 and A169 are the approaches to consider; choose the route that suits your direction of travel.
If you are travelling by rail, the Esk Valley route connects Whitby with Middlesbrough rather than Scarborough. It is a different journey plan from taking the bus between the two coastal towns.
What to check before setting out
Check transport timetables and Whitby Abbey’s opening times before you set out.
Bus routes and timetables can change, and Moorsbus operates seasonally. For the abbey, consult English Heritage’s current prices and opening times information; online booking is available. Checking these details in advance helps you match your time in Whitby to the return journey.
FAQs
Is there a direct train from Scarborough to Whitby?
The Esk Valley Railway runs between Middlesbrough and Whitby. It is not a direct Scarborough–Whitby train.
Which bus connects Scarborough and Whitby?
Arriva service X93 runs between Scarborough and Whitby, as well as Middlesbrough and Guisborough. Services 5, 5A, X5 and 93 also connect Whitby with Scarborough or Middlesbrough.
How far is Whitby Abbey from the station?
Whitby Abbey is a 15-minute walk from Whitby station.