Getting to Lake District

Making use of a private rental vehicle is the most convenient means of transportation in the Lake District, as railway services provide limited access. There are several fast railway services which depart daily from Paddington Station in London following a route up the east coast and stopping in Carlisle, where there are local links to a number of towns in the Lake District. Manchester and Glasgow Prestwick are the nearest international airports.
Alternatively, you can take the train from Euston Station in London to Windermere. However, it is necessary to make one change along the way. A suitable train service from Euston is available during the day about once an hour. The total travel duration is approximately 4 hours. Bear in mind that the trip by underground from Heathrow to Euston takes almost 1 hour.

By car

All the interesting attractions, villages and towns across the Lake District can easily be accessed by car. If you would like to explore the entire region, then a hire car is the best way to fully access this scenic area. The region represents plenty of local and international car rental companies.

By rail

Train services provide limited access to the Lake District. From Londons Euston Station, there are daily trains departing to Windermere, but you need to change once along the way. Services are available hourly. To complete the entire trip takes about 4 hours. From the British capitals Paddington Station, trains are available following routes up the east coast, with stops in the historic town of Carlisle, from where local train services operate to several localities throughout the Lake District. A direct train operates from Manchester to Windermere as well.

By bus

A number of interesting villages and towns such as Windermere, Ambleside, Keswick and Coniston are connected by reliable and efficient bus services, with additional services available during the summer months. If you plan to travel by bus, it is advisable to visit: www.traveline.org.uk/, where you will find plenty of useful up-to-date travel information.

By air

There are several airports located nearby the Lake District and Cumbria, with Manchester International Airport being the nearest, with its convenient own train station with connections to Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Windermere and Penrith.

Other nearby airports include: Newcastle, Glasgow Prestwick and Leeds/Bradford. In addition, airport transfers can also be arranged to the Lake District, and car rental services are available at all of the airports.

Taxis

Taxis provide the most comfortable way of getting around the Lake District. However, they are also the most expensive way to travel and it is not advisable to visit the majority of the popular attractions in the region by this means.

For long-distance destinations, we recommend that you make use of the public transport options. A reputed and well-known taxi firm in the Lake District includes: B-Line Taxis in Windermere, which also offer private Lakeland tours (tel: +44 15394 44644; e-mail: enquiries@b-linetaxis.co.uk).