Trains to Lancaster

Trains to Lancaster

Lancashire's capital city is connected by train with London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and several towns in the surrounding areas and in the Lake District, such as Oxenholme and Windermere. Trains to Lancaster are run by three of the UK's major train operators, such as Virgin trains, Northern rail, and TransPennine Express.

Which train operating companies run trains to Lancaster?

Which cities have direct routes to Lancaster?

Every day, there are several direct trains to Lancaster from major UK cities. Virgin trains offers direct connections between Lancaster and London, Birmingham, Carlisle, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Some Lancaster-bound trains that depart from Birmingham involve transfers in Crewe and Wolverhampton, where passengers must switch to a CrossCountry or London Midlands Train. TransPennine Express trains link Lancaster with Preston, Manchester (including a direct service to and from Manchester airport), and with large Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow. On the other hand, Northern rail runs direct trains between Lancaster and several towns and villages in the region, including Leeds, Silverdale, Roose, Preston, Barrow-in-Furness, Arnside, and Carnforth. Northern, Virgin, and TransPennine Express also serve destinations in the Lake District, such as Oxenholhme and Windermere.

What are the main stations in Lancaster?

Trains to Lancaster stop at the city's main railway station, which is conveniently located only a 5-minute walk from the city centre and from important landmarks like Lancaster castle, the Priory, and the City Museum. City buses stop outside the station too, offering an alternative way of getting into the city centre.

How to get to Lancaster by Train

Often seen as the gateway to the Lake District and onwards to Cumbria and Scotland, Lancaster Station is served by a large number of train companies and services, including a historic steam engine service to Carlisle. Originally known as Lancaster Castle Station, Lancaster is now an important part of the West Coast Main Line, which sees a number of services operated by Virgin Trains between Preston, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Birmingham. A line largely used by tourists heading into the Lake District is operated by TransPennine Express between Preston and Carlisle, with local services between Morecambe and Carlisle operated by Northern Rail. This large station has many modern amenities and is located in the centre of this historic city making bus services simple for you to find outside the station entrance. If you are driving, the station has over 140 parking spaces and a secure cycle parking area with 20 bays.

Lancaster

The large university found just outside the city centre means Lancaster is one of the top cities in the north of England for nightlife. Many bars, pubs, restaurants and other attractions can be found in the city centre, which also attracts a number of bands and artists to its many venues and gallery spaces. The major visitor attraction is the historic Lancaster Castle, which is still in operation as a museum and working jail and magistrates court. Within the museum portion of the Castle, you will have the chance to explore the history of Lancashire by hearing about the Pendle witch trials and be locked in a medieval dungeon for a short period. Just to the north lie the foothills of the Lake District and its stunning scenery, which offers the chance to take part in many outdoor activities and extreme sports on land and water.