By air The closest international airports are Glasgow and Manchester. From here, you can transfer to the Lake District via train, coach or bus. You can also fly into Carlisle Lake District Airport from Belfast, Dublin and London Southend. By train You can take the West Coast Mainline from London to Glasgow, and jump off at Oxenholme just outside of Kendal. From here, take a local train to Kendal, Windermere or Staveley.The West Coast Mainline also stops at Penrith and Carlisle, where you can transfer to a local Stagecoach bus to Keswick or Windermere.You can also take a direct train from Manchester to Windemere on the Northern Rail. Or, take the Furness Line that runs from Lancaster to Barrow-in-Furness, and transfer to the Cumbrian Coast Line which runs all the way to Carlisle.If you’re travelling from outside of the UK, you might want to purchase a BritRail Pass which gives you unlimited UK rail travel. It’s a cost-effective option if rail travel will be your primary mode of transport. By bus You can travel to the Lake District by coach with the National Express from several UK cities including London and Manchester. There's also a direct service from Victoria Coach Station to Windermere.Stagecoach operates an extensive bus network in Cumbria and the Lake District. Buses run regularly throughout the year but there are additional services during the summer months. Popular bus routes in the Lake District include:Stagecoach 555: Lancaster > Kendal > Windermere > Ambleside > Grasmere > KeswickStagecoach 599: Kendal > Windermere > Bownes > Ambleside > Grasmere Stagecoach 508: Penrith > Aira Force > Glenridding > Patterdale Stagecoach 6: Barrow > Dalton > Ulverston > Newby Bridge > Bowness-on-Windermere > Windermere  Self-driving If you’re driving, you can take the M6 motorway which connects the Midlands and the Scottish border. Driving gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. The roads can be narrow and you need to be aware of cyclists, walkers and the occasional sheep.Car parks can also get very busy, especially in the peak season.Below are average driving times to the Lake District from major cities in the UK:London: 5.5 hoursManchester: 2 hours Glasgow: 2.5 hours Liverpool: 2.25 hours Birmingham: 3.25 hours Getting around the Lake District By public transport  It's easy to get around the Lake District thanks to local train and bus services. You can take the Lakes Line train that runs from Oxenholme to Windermere (with stops in Kendal, Burneside and Staveley), or the Stagecoach bus (see routes above). There's also a free shuttle bus from Cockermouth to Buttermere Valley from July to September.You can also take an old steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside Station, and then continue up to Bowness or Ambleside on a steamboat via Lake Windermere.  By boat One of the best ways to get around the Lake District is, of course, by boat. Passenger terminals are located in Bowness-on-Windermere, Keswick, Coniston Village and Ullswater/Pooley Bridge. Windermere (connecting the eastern and western shores) is the only lake with a car ferry. There are hop-on-hop-off services for all launches, making it easy to explore the region. By bicycle Cycling is an eco-friendly way to get around and immerse yourself in the region's beauty. The park boasts great routes including the Honister and Newland Pass. Challenge yourself or go for a leisurely ride with regular stops at village tearooms – it’s up to you. Walking The Lake District boasts some of the best walking trails in the country. Put your fitness to the test on some of the park’s more difficult hikes up steep hills and mountains, or take a pleasant stroll on one of the 48 accessible walking trails. Our Lake District tours