- Recommended
Pontefract Museum
Town museum beside the castle with displays on local history, everyday life and Pontefract’s past. A practical first stop for understanding the area.
Cheapest price on 21 Sept
£10
Average ticket price on 21 Sept
£10
Fastest journey on 21 Sept
1 h 28 m
Average journey duration on 21 Sept
1 h 28 m
Trains on 21 Sept
1
Distance
36 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Sheffield to Pontefract is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sheffield to Pontefract will cost around £10 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £10.
On Mon 21 Sept, we found 1 trains from Sheffield to Pontefract, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 36 km distance in an average of 1 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 28 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 28 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Sheffield to Pontefract among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 22m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £14, while a train costs an average of £14.
Distance: 36 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£14 Average Price Cheapest | £7 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 22m Average total duration Fastest 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Tickets start at around £14 compared to roughly £7 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-6.97. The journey takes 52m versus 45m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Compare train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Sheffield to Pontefract run on average 6 times per day, taking around 52m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £10 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 05:15, the last at 22:58. The fastest train covers the 36 km distance in 48m.
Distance 36 km |
Average train duration 52m |
Cheapest ticket price £10 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 48m |
First train 5:15 |
Last train 22:58 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Pontefract — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Pontefract trip today.
Town museum beside the castle with displays on local history, everyday life and Pontefract’s past. A practical first stop for understanding the area.
Castle visitor exhibition interpreting the site’s royal, military and prison history. A compact museum-style stop that adds context to the ruins outside.
Volunteer-run heritage centre covering the district’s coal mining story through machinery, artefacts and personal memories. An informative local favourite.
Central pedestrian-friendly shopping street with historic buildings and easy access to major sights. A useful area for getting a feel for the town centre.
Traditional market area lined with historic frontages and civic buildings. Worth a stroll for the town’s layout, atmosphere and regular market activity.
Open parkland around the racecourse with paths and broad views. Suitable for a longer walk and for seeing a different side of Pontefract.
Soft liquorice sweets made with liquorice root and sugar. Pontefract is famous for these historic lozenge-style cakes first produced here in the 18th century.
A robust Yorkshire stew of beef, root vegetables and gravy, slowly cooked for comfort in colder months. A classic local pub and home dish across West Yorkshire.
Minced beef and onion in shortcrust pastry, commonly sold by Yorkshire bakers. It is a staple savoury snack in the region and popular for lunch.
Established Indian restaurant serving curries, tandoori dishes and familiar favourites in a comfortable town-centre setting.
Traditional pub in Pontefract known for classic British meals, cask ales and a relaxed local atmosphere.
Stylish restaurant and bar in nearby Darrington serving modern British dishes, steaks and cocktails in smart surroundings.
Moderate for the UK. Dining and local transport are manageable, while hotel prices are usually lower than in major cities such as London or York.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafés do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sheffield to Pontefract by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Pontefract, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Sheffield to Pontefract trains use the Sheffield to Pontefract Monkhill station pair, with some services arriving at Pontefract Tanshelf. Use this guide to compare Sheffield and Pontefract train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Sheffield has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Sheffield.
ATMs are available at Sheffield.
Ticket office support is available at Sheffield. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 08000 11 33 23, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Sheffield: Parking, WC.
Available at Sheffield: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Sheffield: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A access station. There is step free access to the concourse and ticket hall. There are lifts available to all platforms. This station has tactile paving at the edge of each platform, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Pontefract Monkhill has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Pontefract Monkhill.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Pontefract Monkhill: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Pontefract Monkhill: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Pontefract Monkhill: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, Station is unstaffed. No step-free access to platform2, which is via stepped footbridge. There is level access from the station entrance to platform 1, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Pontefract Tanshelf has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Pontefract Tanshelf.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Pontefract Tanshelf: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Pontefract Tanshelf: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Pontefract Tanshelf: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Station is unstaffed. However no access problems for disabled or wheelchair users as the access to the platforms is via the ramped footbridge, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Pontefract Baghill has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Pontefract Baghill.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Pontefract Baghill: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Pontefract Baghill: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Pontefract Baghill: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category A station, Station is unstaffed. There is a step free ramped subway to both platforms. So therefore no problems for disabled or wheelchair bound passengers to gain access onto the platforms. Step free access from car park to station entrance, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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