Bus and shuttle bus
The Lake District and surrounding areas are well connected by bus, and shuttle buses travel to harder to reach locations.
Buses feed in to the Lake District National Park from neighbouring towns and villages, as well as further way cities, with great connections for onward travel. Hopping on the bus is an excellent way for solo travellers to day dream out of the window and families to enjoy a stress-free day out.
Below you will find information about getting the bus to and around the Lake District, including shuttle bus services. If you already know the location you are visiting, see travel options for that area in our ‘by area’ section.
Bus services
All bus fares are currently capped to £3 per single journey.
Why not give the bus a try for scenic adventures? Even in autumn and winter many bus services still run in our most popular valleys, including Borrowdale, Langdale, Grasmere and Coniston and core services such as the 555 through the heart of the Lake District, 599 Bowness to Grasmere and x4/5 Penrith to Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington.
- Visit Stagecoach website for more information about exploring the Lake district by bus, including timetables, tickets, a downloadable Lakes Bus Guide and how to get their handy app.
- The Traveline website is a great place to plan your journey.
Coach services
National Express runs coaches to Lancaster, Penrith and Carlisle where you can catch an onward bus connection into the Lake District.
Cockermouth to Buttermere shuttle bus
This convenient service lets you sit back, relax, and enjoy the breath taking views, without the hassle of parking, which can be difficult in the popular Buttermere Valley. The shuttle Runs May to September. For more information and timetables, visit our page Buttermere shuttlebus page below.
Ullswater Hopper
This community and business led service has been a great success and will be running again from Easter including a shuttle between Aira Force, the Quiet Site, Pooley Bridge and Howtown and a direct link from Keswick to the Ullswater valley, more details can be found on the SITU Cumbria website below.
Paddy's Lake District adventure
Travel by train
Getting to the Lake District by train is a convenient way to reach the National Park, with mainline stations such as Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle providing connections from across the UK.
When you have arrived in the Lake District, local rail services, including the branch line to Windermere, link with buses, boats and walking and cycling routes, making it easy to explore different areas without a car. Train travel can be a relaxed way to enjoy the stunning scenery.
Search and book trains across the UK on Trainline and and Europe at Omio.
Cumbrian coastline
A scenic train route follows the Cumbrian coastline, operated by Northern. The service runs between Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle with plenty of stops to hop off and explore the Cumbrian coast or adventure into the Lake District National Park. Find more information below on the Cumbria Tourism website.
Image credit: Visit Lake District
Steamers and boat cruises in the Lake District
Boat is an exciting and efficient way to travel, whether you’re hopping on-and-off or spending a day on the water.
Combining a one-way trip with a bus, walk or cycle is great way to travel around a lake in one day. The following four lakes have passenger boats with multiple stops.
Coniston
With many stops, the Coniston Launch and Steam Yacht Gondola are a fun way to experience the Lake District from a different angle.
- The National Trust Gondola stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Brantwood and Lake Bank Jetty.
- Coniston Launch stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Waterhead, Brantwood, Sunny Bank and Lake Bank Jetty.
Windermere
Windermere Lake Cruises stops at Lakeside, Ferry House, Bowness, Jetty, Bark Barn Pier, Wray Castle, Brockhole and Ambleside.
A quick and exciting way to visit Hawkshead from Windermere is catching the Windermere Car and Passenger Ferry. Passengers and cars can board.
Routes
It’s not just about the destination, but the journey, too. Turn travel from hassle to fun by walking, cycling or using a route in the Lake District National Park.
A range of tracks, trails and our 50 Miles Without Stiles accessible routes link many popular places to visit in the Lake District National Park. You can also get away from the crowds to a new location you are yet to visit.
Walking
Whether you’re visiting the Lake District for the first time or looking for an accessible way to explore, there’s a walk for everyone. Explore walking routes in the Lake District, including our collection of 50 Miles Without Stiles accessible routes, or try a guided walk, where volunteers share new routes on gentle paths.
Cycling
There are a range of country lanes, permitted cycleways and bridleways to suit all experience levels, and you can be sure of fantastic views along the way! You can bring your own bike or hike electric and mountain bikes in the Lake District. There are many quiet and off-road routes, including the Western shore of Windermere and Langdale valley, as well as connecting paths between towns and villages.
Driving to and around the Lake District
If you are driving into the Lake District National Park, remember to be Lake District Kind.
Please park your car sensibly and think about farmers and emergency vehicles. Learn how to be a responsible traveller and grab some great visiting tips on our plan your visit page.
- Get a park and explore ticket for one day parking with onward bus travel across the Lake District.
- Hire an electric or pay as you drive car, to explore in a sustainable way.
- Try a lift share to enjoy a shared journey.
The M6 runs to the east of the Lake District National Park
- Take J36 and A590 for the southern end of the Lake District.
- Take J40 and A66 or A592 for the northern end of the Lake District.
Average journey times
- London and the south east to the Lake District: 5 hours.
- Manchester to the Lake District: 1.5 hours.
- York to the Lake District: 2 hours.
- Kendal to Keswick: 1 hour.
- Windermere to Keswick: 40 minutes.
- Kendal to Wasdale: 1.5 hours.
Check out our postcodes for a Sat Nav page for handy locations and guidance on planning your journey. Be beware of following Sat Nav at all costs on small country roads. Alternatively, see car parks across the Lake District page.
