- 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
£14
Average price
£14
Fastest journey
5 h 45 m
Average duration
5 h 45 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
116 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Manchester to Ambleside is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Ambleside will cost around £14 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £14.
To travel from Manchester to Ambleside you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Ambleside among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £6. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £6, and a coach costs an average of £12.
Distance: 116 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£17 Average Price | £15 Average Price Cheapest |
6h 15m Average total duration 5h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 7m Average total duration Fastest 1h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Ambleside coaches for today, Friday 21 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 22:30 Manchester | 5h45 | 4:15 Ambleside | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Manchester to Ambleside run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 but you can travel from only £6 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 06:26, the last at 20:45. The fastest coach covers the 116 km distance in 5h 45m.
Distance 116 km |
Average bus duration 5h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 5h 45m |
First bus 6:26 |
Last bus 20:45 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 14 days |
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.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester 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 Manchester to Ambleside buses use the Manchester, Shudehill Interchange to Penrith, Brunswick Road (Booths) station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Ambleside bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Manchester, Shudehill Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange.
Available at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange: Elevators, ramps.
Manchester, Airport is 2 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester, Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Burger King (in the station), Giraffe (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located throughout the airport, offering multiple currency options.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Airport.
Available at Manchester, Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Airport: Elevators, ramps, assistance.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need