Northern launches new early morning service from Whitby with £2 tickets
Passengers on the Esk Valley line can now start their day with a new early morning connection as Northern introduces a new early service from Whitby in December.
The new early morning train, launching on Monday 15 December as part of the December 2025 timetable change, will leave Whitby at 0724, arriving into Middlesbrough for 0900 and Newcastle at 1020.
It comes amid a series of changes for the North East from 14 December, with wider improvements across the network offering new routes, faster journeys and revised train times to make train travel easier and more reliable.
To coincide with the launch of the new early morning service from Whitby, Northern is offering train tickets for just £2 between 15 and 24 December when bought in advance.
The offer applies to selected services on the Esk Valley line and must be booked in advance. Tickets are limited and available only while stocks last.
Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director for Northern, said: “The new early morning train from Whitby is something that our customers have been asking for now for many years, and I'm pleased that we have finally been able to deliver this with the December timetable change.
"The new early morning service will get customers from across the Esk Valley to James Cook University Hospital before 9am for those early appointments, and on to Middlesbrough and Newcastle for work and leisure.
"The launch of the new service is perfectly timed for Christmas shoppers, and with tickets available for just £2, it’s a brilliant opportunity to try the train and pick up those last minute gifts without the stress of the car."
The new service is being introduced with the support of North Yorkshire Council and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “This service will mean that people in Whitby will be able to get to work, visit friends or go to hospital appointments even if they don’t have a car.
“Our communities deserve better, so this earlier service and £2 advance fare offer is a great way to encourage more people to give the train a try.
“Together, we’re creating a more reliable, affordable and better-connected transport network for everyone.”
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.