We are planning a month in Yorkshire. Our problem is that we will arrive in York and spend a few days there, then rent a car, but at the end of the trip we want to take the Settle-Carlisle train. I see no alternative to going back to York, returning the car, then taking the train via Leeds to Settle. I haven't found a rental company willing to pick up a car in Settle. Any ideas?
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7885 posts
Have you tried the local company, Arnold Clark?
Posted by
Yorkshire
1469 posts
Hi -
I think you’ve already realised what the easiest and probably most economic solution is - return to York, drop off the car and then travel by rail to Leeds to pick up the Settle to Carlisle line. While it sounds like something of a messy solution, the plus side is that there are plenty of trains passing through York en route to Leeds and the journey on the non stopping, direct trains takes only a little over twenty minutes. Just make sure you have the correct ticket for the quicker train you’d need.
Even if you did find somebody to collect a car from Settle, I think the additional costs might be more than taking the train via Leeds.
Hope you get things sorted out!
Ian
Posted by
Lake District, England
11090 posts
You could do a one way rental to Leeds, most companies have depots in easy proximity to Leeds City railway station.
There is a local company at Skipton, Skipton Self Drive, who you could use for the month. Pick up and drop off at Skipton.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you to everyone for these suggestions. I'm also considering dropping the car off in Newcastle and getting a different train to Carlisle. I'll ponder all these alternatives ...
Posted by
Lake District, England
11090 posts
... and at Newcastle, several car hire companies, have offices actually at the Railway station. Also the Tyne Valley line is a scenic route in it's own right with some very cheap Advance Fares.
Even better if you can catch it on a day when LNER are diverting via Carlisle, and you can get an LNER Newcastle to Carlisle ticket.
Another infrequent option is the steam hauled Dalesman train from York to Carlisle and return (2026 dates to be announced)- run by the same people as run the Jacobite train in Scotland- https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/dalesman/settle-to-carlisle-line