windermere lake district jetty with boats on the water

Cheap Train Tickets to Lake District

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Cheap Trains to the Lake District

The Lake District is a beautiful area to visit with its rolling mountains, vast lakes, and hidden coffee shops. There are so many places worth visiting in the Lake District: the idyllic town of Keswick, a walk from Coniston up the Old Man of Coniston, or a hike up the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike for the most adventurous.

On this page, we will provide useful tips to use when finding cheaper train tickets to the Lake District.

Tip 1 You can often find cheap fares by buying in advance
The lowest-priced train fares to the Lake District are usually available 12 weeks before travel. They tend to sell out fast due to high demand so you'll need to get them as quickly as you can. Sometimes you can buy them up to one hour before travel, but typically they will sell out before then.
Tip 2 It's not necessary to pay booking fees
Many retailers charge booking fees whenever you take a journey with them, increasing your travel costs. Split My Fare doesn't charge these fees or for using your credit card. We only charge 15% of any savings you make by splitting your fare. If you don't find a split ticket, you won't pay anything more.

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£31.06 saving (72%)
Newcastle
Oxenholme

£20.28

Split Ticket
holme fell coniston with coniston water trees and fields and a dark cloudy sky
£4.59 saving (6%)
London
Oxenholme

£43.41

Split Ticket
derwentwater keswickin the lake district with hills in the background and trees and fauna in the foreground
£19.12 saving (57%)
Birmingham
Oxenholme

£17.58

Split Ticket
lake district rydal water near ambleside with trees and hills reflecting on to the water
Tip 3 When you experience delays, make sure to get compensation
It can be annoying when trains arrive late, but you can get some money back by using Delay Repay. Depending on which rail operator you travelled with you can claim a full or partial refund even if your delay is 15 minutes. It is best to check the operating company's policy to find out if your journey is eligible; if so you can then apply for your refund directly through them.
Tip 4 Avoid busier routes
Demand affects the price of railway tickets. The busier the route, the more expensive your fare will be. If you stick to quieter lines at off-peak times, you could make the best savings.
Tip 5 Visiting as a group? Book together
There are savings to be made when travelling as a group by train. If a group of 3-9 people book together and take the same off-peak train, they can get as much as 1/3 off the price by getting a groupsave discount. The easiest way to do this is if one of the group books with e-Tickets and then sends them to each group member. Not having to pass on lots of paper tickets is much simpler, especially if Split My Fare finds you savings with several split tickets.
Tip 6 Check whether a single or return ticket is cheaper
If you are going to Peterborough and then returning to your point of departure, a return ticket might not be your cheapest option. Two single tickets bought in advance may save you more money. Split My Fare automatically works out the lowest priced option for your journey.
Tip 7 Check the price of a first-class fare
It may seem strange, but travelling 1st-class can be an alternative way of getting cheap train tickets. If these fares are in low demand, purchasing them at a price similar to standard fares is possible. Travelling first-class means you get the bonus of bigger seats, along with complimentary food and drink on your journey.
Tip 8 Look at the price of first-class tickets
First-class fares are sometimes cheaper than you might think as their price depends on demand. If there aren't many passengers booked in first class, they may be similar to a standard fare, or even cheaper. There is a toggle on our website so you can easily compare first-class and standard-class fares. An advantage of travelling first-class is greater comfort; with larger seats and complimentary food and drinks, you will arrive in Southend feeling more relaxed.
Tip 9 If you travel often, get a railcard
You can get 1/3 off train tickets by using a railcard. Most cost just £30, the Two Together card, for example, gives two adults 1/3 off their fares.

The Family and Friends card gives 60% off fares for children and 1/3 off adult fares for up to four kids and four adults.

The senior card offers the same discount, but at a reduced price of £70 for three years.

Disabled passengers can get a discount on their train tickets with the Disabled Person's card, which costs £30.

Other Railcards available include the Network Railcard, 16-25 card and 26-30 card.

You can find more details on the Railcard website. You can find Railcards on sale at any National Rail ticket office.
Tip 8 Be flexible in your travel
If you are willing to be flexible in travel time and date, you will have a better chance of getting cheaper train fares. With our booking engine, you can easily compare different options to make significant savings.

Visiting the Lake District

Public Transport

Oxenholme Lake District is the best station to travel to when taking trains to Lake District National Park as it is on the West Coast Main Line. Oxenholme Lake District station is situated just to the south of Kendal and within easy reach of the attractions of Lake District National Park. Avanti West Coast manage and operate Oxenholme Lake District station, Avanti West Coast services from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh run via Oxenholme Lake District station. Transpennine Express run services from Manchester Airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh via Oxenholme Lake District station. Windermere Station and Penrith North Lakes Station are also in the Lake District.

Attractions

Situated on the west coast, the Lake District has many attractions worth visiting. These include Brougham Castle, Holker Hall & Gardens, and Wordsworth House.

Things To Do

There are a variety of things to do in the Lake District, whether it be trying one of the many amazing coffee shops, walking up one of the numerous mountains or round one of the 16 lakes, or spending time indoors at The Rheged Centre or Keswick Climbing Wall.

Shopping

The Lake District is also a great destination to visit for shopping. Carlisle, Keswick, and Kendal have many high-street stores while Grasmere, Ambleside, and Windermere have many independent stores. For indoor shopping you can visit The Rheged Centre and Westmorland Shopping Centre.

Nearest Stations

  • Oxenholme Lake District Station
  • Penrith North Lakes Station
  • Windermere Station

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best route for travelling to the Lake District by train?

  • Trains from Manchester – Take a train to Windermere Station.
  • Trains from London– Take a train from London Euston to Oxenholme Station or Penrith North Lakes Station.
  • Trains from Birmingham - Take a train to Oxenholme Station or Penrith North Lakes Station.
  • Trains from Newcastle – Take a train to Carlisle Station and then change train to get to your destination in the Lake District.
  • Trains from Liverpool – Take a train to Preston and then change train to get to Oxenholme or Penrith North Lakes.

Which places in the Lake District are not connected by trains and public transport?

Many areas of the Lake District do not have train stations as they are very remote, most can all be reached by a bus service from Oxenholme, Windermere, or Penrith North Lakes station.

Can you get to Lake District by train?

Regular trains run on the West Coast Main Line to the Lake District passing through Carlisle and Oxenholme.

How can I get to Lake District for cheap?

To get to the Lake District for cheap take the train. By booking with Split My Fare you can save up to 90% through split ticketing.

What food is the Lake District famous for?

The Lake District is famous for Kendal Mint Cake, Cumberland Sausage, and Grasmere Gingerbread.