The York Food and Drink Festival is a staple of the city’s cultural calendar, drawing in thousands of locals and tourists alike to experience a rich celebration of culinary talent. With packed streets, overflowing car parks, and late-night events stretching well into the evening, knowing how to get there and home again is crucial. That’s where Drive Taxis comes in – offering reliable, local taxi services that help you soak up every second without the travel stress.

This year, the 2025 York Food and Drink Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, and in this post, we’ll guide you through how to make the most of it with smart taxi tips, real-time travel advice, and insider knowledge from your local York taxi company.

What Is the York Food and Drink Festival?

Every autumn, York’s historic city centre transforms into a foodie paradise. The 2025 edition, running from Friday 19th to Sunday 28th September, will take over Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square, and the surrounding areas with local produce, artisan makers, pop-up food stalls, live cookery demonstrations, and late-night events.

This isn’t just about snacks – it’s about celebrating Yorkshire’s culinary identity. Think street food, craft beers, live music, supper clubs, and a proper community atmosphere.

But as every local knows, parking is nearly impossible and public transport becomes overwhelmed. That’s where pre-booking your taxi in York is the real gamechanger.

Why Taxis Are the Smartest Way to Travel

While many festival-goers think they’ll just “see how it goes” when it comes to transport, that usually results in frustration. Between train strikes, limited buses after 10pm, and car park chaos, it’s not worth the gamble. Here’s why booking a York taxi is the best option:

• No parking headaches – avoid wasting time circling for a space
• Safe late-night travel – ideal for solo visitors or groups with children
• Door-to-door convenience – especially useful for those travelling in from areas like Haxby, Acomb, Heslington or Fulford
• Support local drivers – your fare stays in the community
• Peace of mind – especially during evening events and pop-up bars

At Drive Taxis, we offer safe, reliable and punctual rides throughout York – whether you’re heading to the early cooking demos or enjoying the candlelit supper clubs at the end of the day.

Best Times to Travel In and Out of the Festival

Getting your timings right can save you a lot of hassle. Here’s what we recommend based on past events and customer bookings:

Arriving at the Festival:

• Weekdays (Mon–Fri): 11am to 1pm is the sweet spot – you’ll avoid the morning rush and still beat the lunchtime crowd.
• Weekends (Sat–Sun): Aim for 10:30am to 11am. After 12pm, the traffic builds up around Bootham, Monk Bar and Micklegate.

Leaving the Festival:

• Before 6pm: Still manageable by foot or public transport, but booking a York taxi avoids queues at the station or long walks to your car.
• 6pm to 10pm: Prime dinner and drinks hours – pre-book with Drive Taxis to ensure you’re not waiting with the rest of the crowd.
• After 10pm: Public transport becomes unreliable, and many car parks start closing or charge premium rates. Taxis become the most popular option.

Booking in advance is essential, especially during peak festival nights.

Tips for Booking Your Taxi in York During the Festival

We’ve been doing this a long time, and we’ve picked up a few tricks to help make your experience smooth:

• Book early: As soon as you know your plans, secure your ride
• Know your pickup point: Popular locations include Clifford Street, outside M&S on Parliament Street, and Duncombe Place behind York Minster
• Avoid calling during peak hours: Use our app or online booking to get instant confirmation
• Give extra time for traffic: The city centre gets congested, so factor in delays
• If it rains, demand surges: Wet weather = more bookings = longer waits

Booking your York taxi with us means you don’t have to worry about any of this. We’ll send your driver updates and keep you informed with real-time ETAs.

Top Festival Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss

You’re sorted with transport – now let’s talk about what you’ll be travelling to. The 2025 York Food and Drink Festival lineup includes:

• Live cooking demos from local chefs and guest appearances by TV favourites
• Festival bar on St Sampson’s Square serving craft ales, wine and soft drinks
• Street food stalls from all over Yorkshire and beyond – everything from Thai to Yorkshire puddings in wraps
• Producers market with fresh bread, handmade cheeses, chutneys, and local gin
• Supper clubs and pop-up restaurants tucked away in historic venues around the city

And let’s not forget the family-friendly workshops, chocolate tastings, and the live music scattered across pop-up stages all weekend.

If you’re planning to enjoy a drink (or several), pre-booking a York taxi is essential for getting home safely and legally.

Travelling From Outside York? We’ve Got You Covered

Many of our customers come in from surrounding areas like Wetherby, Tadcaster, Selby, and even as far as Malton and Harrogate. If you’re not staying overnight in York, we offer fixed-rate return fares that make it easy to pop in for the day or evening without worrying about trains or car parks.

We also offer York airport transfers, so if you’re flying in to attend the festival, we can pick you up from Leeds Bradford or even Manchester Airport.

Simply give us a call or book online to arrange a pick-up that suits your schedule.

Stay Safe and Support Local

Festivals are brilliant fun, but safety should never be overlooked. With more visitors expected this year, we recommend sticking to well-lit areas, staying in groups where possible, and using only licensed taxis.

Every driver at Drive Taxis is DBS-checked, fully licensed, and knows the local streets like the back of their hand. You won’t find any “where is that again?” moments when you ride with us.

Plus, by booking with a trusted York taxi firm, you’re supporting local jobs and helping the city continue to thrive.

How to Book with Drive Taxis

Booking your ride is easy:

• Visit our booking page.
• Call us direct for immediate bookings or quotes
• Use our user-friendly app for faster repeat bookings
• Ask about return journeys if you’re planning a late night

We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance for peak festival evenings.

Final Thought: Make It a Festival to Remember

Don’t let logistics ruin your night out. Whether you’re coming in for an afternoon of nibbles or an evening of cocktails and canapés, Drive Taxis is the stress-free way to get to and from the 2025 York Food and Drink Festival.

From the first pint to the final pudding, we’ve got your transport covered.