The Ghost Bus Tours York
BEST FOR
Ages 5+
ENTRY
from £14
WHERE
York
What it’s like
A 75-minute comedy-horror tour of York's darkest tales aboard a vintage Routemaster bus, with actors playing it up as you go.
You climb aboard a vintage 1960s Routemaster and a professional actor takes over from there, spinning York's grislier history into a comedy-horror show that leans more creepy-funny than genuinely frightening. Expect jumps, loud noises and a bit of smoke, and at some point you'll get off for a short walk round the Shambles, ten or fifteen minutes depending on the weather and how the tour's running that night.
It's pitched at kids five and up, and that age line feels sensible once you clock the loud noises and jump scares. Under-fives are technically allowed at a parent's own risk, but there's no real reason to put a toddler through it. Tickets run £14 for a child and £18 for an adult, or £49 for a family of four, which isn't bad value for something that's part theatre, part history lesson.
The whole thing runs 75 minutes non-stop, so factor in the queue beforehand rather than the ride itself eating your evening. Seats are first come, first served and can't be reserved individually, so turning up early actually matters here, not just box-ticking advice. They want you at the bus stop a good 15 minutes before departure, and if you're late, the bus genuinely won't wait.
A few practical snags worth knowing before you commit. There's no toilet on board, so sort that out beforehand. Pushchairs and wheelchairs aren't really catered for either, the vintage bus design means no guaranteed storage and no accessible entrance. And they won't take cash at the bus itself, so bring a card or have your ticket sorted on your phone in advance.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 5 and up, especially kids who enjoy a proper jump scare
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended. Walk-up tickets available if seats available but often sell out
- How long to allow
- Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Pushchairs
- No storage guaranteed for prams or pushchairs due to vintage bus design
- Wheelchairs
- Not wheelchair accessible. Vintage Routemaster bus design prevents entrance access and wheelchair storage
- Dogs
- Assistance and guide dogs only
- Only card payments are taken at the bus stop, no cash.
- There's no toilet on board, so go before you get on.
- Group bookings work for up to 20 people, and the whole bus can be hired privately for bigger groups.
- Only registered guide or assistance dogs are allowed, and the loud noises may not suit every dog.
- Bring your ticket on your phone, no need to print it.
Plan your visit
Is it actually scary?
It's billed as comedy-horror rather than proper scary, so more creepy and gruesome than nightmare-inducing. There are jumps, loud noises and smoke, though, so a jumpy kid might find bits of it a lot.
How much does it cost?
£18 for an adult, £14 for a child aged 5 to 15, or £49 for a family of two adults and two children. Concessions for students and over-65s are £15.
Do we need to book ahead?
Booking in advance is the sensible move since tours often sell out and seats can't be guaranteed on the door. If there's space you can buy at the bus, but only by card, no cash accepted there.
How long does the tour last?
75 minutes non-stop, depending on traffic, plus a short walk off the bus at the Shambles for ten to fifteen minutes.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
Not really. It's not recommended under 5, and while a parent can bring a younger child at their own risk, the loud noises and jumps make it a tough watch for little ones.
Can we bring a pushchair or get wheelchair access?
Neither is guaranteed. The vintage Routemaster bus doesn't have wheelchair access or storage space for prams and pushchairs, even folded.
What time should we arrive?
Get to the bus stop at least 15 minutes before departure. Seats are first come, first served, so arriving early matters if you want a particular spot, and the bus can't wait for latecomers.
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