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.
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
The Lake District is in the North-West of England, with Manchester to the South and Carlise to the North.
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.
Explorer and group tickets can be great value - check them out here
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
Search and book trains across the UK and Europe at Omio
National Express run coaches to various towns in the Lake District from all over the UK.
Plan your journey at Stagecoachbus.com
Or download the Lakes by Bus pdf guide, with 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:
Windermere Lake Cruises (website) stop at Lakeside, Ferry House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere Jetty, Bark Barn Pier, Wray Castle, Brockhole on Windermere and Ambleside.
Windermere Lake Guide (PDF) leaflet shows all piers, jetties and towns around the lake.
Ullswater Steamers (website) stops at Glenridding, Aira Force, Howtown, Pooley Bridge.
Ullswater Lake Guide (PDF) shows all piers, jetties and boat routes.
National Trust Gondoloa (website) stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Brantwood and Lake Bank Jetty.
Coniston Launch (website) stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Waterhead, Brantwood, Sunny Bank, Lake Bank Jetty.
Coniston Water lake guide (external site PDF) shows all piers, jetties and boat routes.
Keswick Launch (website) stops at Keswick, Ashness Gate, Lodore, High Brandelhow, Low Brandelhow, Hawes End, Lingholm and Nichol End.
Park and Sail (website) Park at Keswick Rugby Club for just £4 a day and get 15% off Keswick Launch tickets. The best way to reach the West side of the lake and Cat Bells, where there is very limited parking.
Derwentwater lake guide (PDF) shows all piers and jetties.
Our cycling in the Lake District page has details on taking bikes on buses and boats, as well as places to hire mountain and electrict bikes with route ideas for half and full day rides.
Cycling in the Lake District
Walking is a wonderful way to explore the Lake District landscape.
Try our Miles without Stiles routes, a collection of easy access routes suitable for all.
Book a guided walk, let our volunteers introduce you to new routes on gentle paths.
Walking in the Lake DistrictThe M6 runs to the east of the Lake District National Park:
Check out our sat nav codes for places in the Lake District but beware of following the sat nav at all costs on small country roads
See car parks across the Lake District
Things to know before you go, tips to plan a great trip and help us look after the landscape you love.
