Taking the bus for a walk

Many walks in the UK are reachable by bus, and taking the bus can be as much fun as the walk itself. What could be better than watching the countryside you are about to explore fly past? It has to be better than scanning the lay-bys for a free parking spot, especially if you manage to get the front seat on the top deck. Many popular areas have bus services that cater specifically for walkers – such as the Dalesbus or the Snowdon Sherpa – while in many other places, the network of local buses does the job just as well.

When planning your walk, the first place to go is Transport Direct. On this website, you can get information on public transport from A to B (and back again) for the next two months. And if you are using one of our routes, then the walk links directly to the website.

If you’re carrying a mobile with you, it’s also useful to keep a note of the Traveline phone number – 0871 200 2233. They are open from 8am to 8pm most days.

Top tips for going for a walk by bus:

• Take plenty of change to pay for the fare – no bus driver is going to be happy when you ask for change from a £50 note.
• Let the driver know which stop you want as you get on – some rural bus stops are a good distance apart, so if you miss it, it’s a long walk back!
• Check the timetable before you head off for your walk – some buses vary with the seasons.
• When you see the bus coming, give it a wave so the driver knows to pick you up.
• And, the golden rule with rural buses – 20 minutes early is better than 2 minutes late! Rural buses can sometimes be a few minutes early, and if you miss it, there could be a long wait for the next one….