How to get to Windermere
Millions of people visit Windermere area each year. The A591 is one of the main route into the Lake District. There are car parks all around our beautiful lake. But why not leave the car and explore us on foot, bus, bike or boat!
By bus
Buses stop at Windermere train station, Troutbeck, Waterhead, Ambleside, Lakeside and Newby Bridge. Frequent buses are:
599 Windermere to Bowness
555Windermere Kendal Ambleside Grasmere and Keswick
6 Lakeside, Newby Bridge and Ulverston
508 Troutbeck and Ullswater
525 Cross Lakes Experience link from Ferry House to Hill Top and Hawkshead click for more information
By train
Windermere train station is the end of the line and has direct trains which run as far south as Manchester Airport. You can transfer at Oxenholme The Lake District (near Kendal) on the main West Coast line to the Windermere branch line. Oxenholme to Windermere takes approximately 20 minutes.
The train station its self is about a mile and half from the lake, which takes about half an hour to walk. Or you can catch the 599 bus straight down to Bowness Pier
Car Ferry
The car ferry links Ferry Nab on the eastern shore of Windermere with Ferry House, Far Sawrey on the west. It’s a handy shortcut for Hawkshead, Grizedale forest and Kendal.
It is a drive-on, drive-off service where car passengers, get a ticket from the machine, then board the ferry, you can also cross on foot, bike or horse! The ferry is nothing like P&O so please expect delays during busy periods, especially in summer. 
Click here to view Ferry Times and Costs
Cruises
To really experience out World Heritage Site you need to get out on the lake, jump on board one the cruises sail down to lakeside or up to Ambleside a unique way of seeing out beautiful area. Click to see timetable and prices
Tours
The best way to see the area is to let someone else do the hard work for you. Mountain Goat Tours have a variety of award winning guided tours that reach every corner of the Lakes, day
tours depart from Ambleside, Bowness, Grange, Grasmere, Kendal, Keswick and Windermere. Book Now
Driving
If you do decide to drive off into the rest of World Heritage Site, keep an eye on the fuel gauge. In some of the more remote areas, filling stations are few and far between. The roads can also be very steep, windy and narrow, please take extra care.
Other Useful Links
Cumbria County Council bus timetables
Stagecoach Lakes Connection bus timetables
Cross Lakes Experience boat and bus service
NorthernRail
Trainline for online tickets
Traveline for bus, train and coach information
Virgin Trains serving Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle