- Must visit
Dove Cottage
Romantic-era writer's house museum in Grasmere with preserved rooms, manuscripts and guided access to Wordsworth's domestic world.
Cheapest price on 07 Oct
£13
Average ticket price on 07 Oct
£14
Fastest journey on 07 Oct
4 h 9 m
Average journey duration on 07 Oct
4 h 16 m
Buses on 07 Oct
3
Distance
170 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Edinburgh to Ambleside is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Ambleside will cost around £14 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.
To travel from Edinburgh to Ambleside you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusBuses from Edinburgh to Ambleside run on average 4 times per day, taking around 3h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 05:20, the last at 21:34. The fastest coach covers the 170 km distance in 3h 36m.
Distance 170 km |
Average bus duration 3h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 3h 36m |
First bus 5:20 |
Last bus 21:34 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Discover the best of Ambleside — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ambleside trip today.
Romantic-era writer's house museum in Grasmere with preserved rooms, manuscripts and guided access to Wordsworth's domestic world.
Local museum and gallery with Lakeland history, art, archaeology and Beatrix Potter material, suitable for a deeper understanding of the area.
House museum linked to Beatrix Potter and William Heelis, showing period rooms and personal collections in nearby Hawkshead.
Popular waterfall walk from the town centre through woodland and rocky scenery. It is short, accessible in parts and rewarding after rain.
Open hill above Ambleside with a clear path and wide views over Windermere, the town and surrounding fells. Popular at sunrise or sunset.
Large lakeside green with jetties, picnic space and mountain views. A practical base for walking, boating and relaxing by Windermere.
A Cumberland sausage served in a spiral coil, seasoned with pepper and herbs. A Lake District and Cumbria classic often seen on local pub menus.
Slow-cooked lamb or mutton with onions and sliced potatoes. Long linked to Cumbrian farming life and traditional fellside home cooking.
A rich fruitcake made with dried fruit, spice and tea, traditionally baked in Cumbria for fairs, holidays and family gatherings.
Smart yet welcoming dining room serving refined British cooking with seasonal produce in a historic Ambleside setting.
Established vegetarian restaurant with creative plant-based dishes and a relaxed, modern feel in the centre of Ambleside.
Popular old-town restaurant known for tapas-style small plates, local ingredients and a lively but cosy atmosphere.
Ambleside is pricier than many UK small towns, with higher hotel rates in peak season and dining aimed at visitors, though buses and casual cafés help keep daily costs manageable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés do not require tips, but leaving small change is appreciated.
The most popular day trips by bus from Ambleside are Keswick, Windermere, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Ambleside on Omio.

Keswick is a compact Lake District market town beside Derwentwater, known for fell walking and outdoor life. With Skiddaw above and Borrowdale nearby, it mixes slate-built streets, independent shops and literary links.

Windermere is best known as a base for exploring England’s largest lake and the wider Lake District. The town has a lively Victorian centre, while nearby Bowness-on-Windermere connects visitors with the water and fell views.
The earliest coach runs at 06:50, the last at 21:09.

Kendal is a Cumbrian market town on the edge of the Lake District, known for Kendal Castle and Kendal Mint Cake. Its stone streets, River Kent setting and strong local identity make it feel more lived-in than purely touristic.

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Ambleside by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ambleside, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Ambleside buses use the Edinburgh, Bus Station to Penrith, Brunswick Road (Booths) station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Ambleside bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Edinburgh, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Sandwich Shop (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh, Bus Station.
Available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Edinburgh, St Andrew's House has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh, St Andrew's House: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need