Help us look after this spectacular landscape by leaving the car at home and choosing alternative ways to explore the national park.
We are encouraging people to walk, cycle, travel by boat, rail or bus when exploring the Lake District. The Lake District is in the North-West of England, with Manchester to the South and Carlise to the North. From sitting back watching the landscape go by on a train to connecting with the National Park by boat, let the journey be part of your adventure!
Current and sustainable travel offers
Make the journey part of your adventure! Arriving by boat, bus or bike helps reduce traffic and parking pressures and means you can enjoy more views and some stress-free, sustainable travel.
From January to October 2023 all bus fares are capped to just £2 per single journey - so why not give the bus a try for some scenic adventures? Follow our social media for ideas and inspiration
Running again in Summer 2023 and linking you to two of our most popular hiking and walking destinations. The Wasdale Shuttle runs from Ravenglass station then a shuttle from the pop-up car park in Nether Wasdale. The Buttermere Shuttle links Cockermouth directly with Buttermere.
Park at Keswick Rugby Club and get 15% off travel on Keswick Launch for access to Cat Bells, Derwentwater lakeshore and the fells beyond. Direct shuttle service to Hawes End for Catbells as well as the regular stops around the lake. Available all year.
Running Saturdays and Sundays through summer 2023, this new bus service, set up by the community group SITU links with the main 508 bus route. It provides transport for people staying camp sites around the valley and links to places including Lowther and Howtown. More details can be found on the website Ullswater Hopper Bus.
Check out the Explorer and group tickets which can be great value.
For just £18 park in one of five car parks in the Central Lakes area and take any bus in the Central Lakes Dayrider zone with Park and Explore.
Ride the bus all day, and enjoy a cruise on either Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston Derwent or Derwent water with combined bus and boat tickets.
We've got electric and mountain bikes to hire at two locations in the Lake District; Hawkshead and Coniston Boating Centre. With suggested quiet and off-road routes including to the Western shore of Windermere, along Elterwater and even into the stunning Langdale valley, cycling is the perfect way to see the Lake District with no parking problems!
The West Coast mainline runs to the east of the Lake District, connecting Oxenholme (which is near Kendal), Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow. A direct train runs from Manchester to Windermere. Local trains from Oxenholme call at Kendal, Staveley and Windermere. There is also a route following the Cumbrian coastline. Search and book trains across the UK at Trainline and across UK and Europe at Omio:
National Express runs coaches to various towns in the Lake District from all over the UK.
Plan your journey at Stagecoachbus.com
Visit Buses around the Lake District | Stagecoach for maps, timetables and details of bus and boat trips and open-top bus tours, it has everything you need to explore the Lake District.
There are many companies offering you the chance to sit back and watch the scenery, with half day, full day and bespoke tours around the lakes and fells. Take a look at our Minibus tours and bus explorer tickets page.
Taking a cruise is a great way to experience our beautiful Lake District views. Combining a one-way cruise with a bus, walk or cycle can be a great way to travel around a lake in one day. The following four lakes have passenger boats with multiple stops:
For details on taking bikes on buses and boats, as well as places to hire mountain and electric bikes with route ideas for half and full day rides, visit: Cycling
Explore Miles without Stiles, a collection of easy access routes or a guided walk, where volunteers share new routes on gentle paths. Visit Walking
Check out our Lake District Sat Nav codes but beware of following Sat Nav at all costs on small country roads.
Things to know before you go, tips to plan a great trip and help us look after the landscape you love.
