The M6 Motorway goes through Cumbria. Using motorways from Manchester Airport it takes approximately 2 hours to reach The Lake District, whilst the average journey time from London and the south east is around 5 hours. The A69 and A66 provide road links to the North East and Newcastle Airport. The M74 and then the M6 brings you from Glasgow in Scotland to The Lake District in approximately 2 hours. RAC Journey Planner.

By Coach

If you prefer someone else to do the driving, or you're travelling on a budget, opt for coach travel. Coaches are modern, comfortable, and the most economical from of public transport. The M6 Motorway provides quick access to Cumbria and Lake District by coach, and most scheduled coach services in Britain are run by National Express with many of them running direct from London. National Express coaches supply regular services to most of the popular towns and villages in the Lake District as well as providing links to many of the smaller destinations that the visitor may like to reach. National Express Rapide services from London (Victoria) to Kendal and the Lake District take approximately 6.5 hours.

By Train

From Scotland, the North West, the Midlands, and Southern England - Virgin Trains via the West Coast Main Line call at: Carlisle for 'Carlisle & Hadrian's Wall Country'; Penrith for 'Keswick and the Western Lakes', and 'Ullswater & the Eden Valley'; and Oxenholme for 'Kendal & the Southern Lakes'.

From the North East - Northern Rail via the Tyne Valley Line call at Carlisle for 'Carlisle & Hadrian's Wall Country'. At Carlisle connections can be made to the West Coast Main line, the Settle - Carlisle line, and the Cumbria Coast line.

From Yorkshire and Beyond - First TransPennine Express trains call at Oxenholme and Windermere for 'Kendal & the Southern Lakes'; and via the spectacular Furness line across Morecambe Bay at Grange-over-Sands and Ulverston for 'Coniston & the Lake District Peninsulas', and 'Barrow-in-Furness'. Northern Rail via the beautifully scenic Settle - Carlisle line call at: Carlisle for 'Carlisle & Hadrian's Wall Country'; and Armathwaite, Lazonby, Langwathby, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen for 'Ullswater & the Eden Valley' and 'Alston & the North Pennines'. At Carlisle connections can be made to the West Coast Main line, the Tyne Valley line, and the Cumbria Coast line.

From Greater Manchester & Northern Wales - Northern Rail trains call at: Oxenholme and Windermere for 'Kendal & the Southern Lakes'; via the spectacular Furness line across Morecambe Bay, at Grange-over-Sands and Ulverston for 'Coniston and the Lake District Peninsulas'; at 'Barrow-in-Furness'; and along the stunningly beautiful Cumbria Coast line, Ravenglass, Whitehaven and Maryport for 'Keswick & the Western Lake District', as well as many other smaller stations.

First TransPennine Express offers a direct service from Manchester Airport via Manchester Picadilly, Bolton and Preston to Barrow-in-Furness, Oxenholme. Kendal and Windermere. At Oxenholme connections can be made to the West Coast Main line. view service guide & timetable

For rail timetable, fare information, special offers and much more contact 'National Rail Enquiries' - 08457 484 950, or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

By Air

Manchester Airport is the 3rd largest airport in the UK and offers an international gateway from all parts of the world. It has its own rail station, operating 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, from where there are direct services to Windermere and Barrow-in-Furness and easy connections to the rest of the county. National Express Coaches also operate services to and from the Lake District throughout the year. Manchester Airport Guide

Glasgow Airport is just two miles from Paisley's Gilmour Street rail station which can be reached by taxi or by regular bus services. From Paisley Gilmour Street station there are frequent direct rail services to Glasgow Central station. From Glasgow Central station there are regular direct services to Carlisle, Penrith and Oxenholme and easy connections to the rest of the county. National Express Coaches also operate services to and from the Lake District throughout the year. Glasgow Airport Guide

Newcastle Airport is served by the fast-transit Metro system connecting the airport directly with Newcastle Central rail station, from where there are regular services to Carlisle. From Carlisle connections can easily be made to the rest of Cumbria - The Lake District. National Express Coaches also operate services to and from the Lake District throughout the year. Newcastle Airport Guide

Liverpool John Lennon Airport serves over 60 destinations with all the major operators including Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air. A bus service from the airport to Liverpool City Centre operates every 20 minutes, Monday to Friday daytimes, and every half an hour during evenings and weekends. The one-way fare for adults is £2, and only £1 for children. City centre stops include Norton St Coach Station (for National Express connections) and Lime Street Railway Station for rail services to Cumbria - The Lake District via Preston Liverpool Airport Guide

If you're flying into London Heathrow, Stansted, Luton or Gatwick airports The Lake District is just 4-5 hours drive away or an easy trip by public transport. Train is the easiest option as there's a direct hourly service from London Euston station in central London to Cumbria and The Lake District that takes just over 3 hours. Luton Airport    Stanstead Airport     Gatwick Airport     Heathrow Airport