Plan your journey

Getting away from it all and escaping doesn’t take much effort. Even the remoter areas of the Yorkshire Dales are easily accessible with public transport. www.transportdirect.info will help you to see the best ways of getting here, showing both car and public transport routes.

Arriving by car and coach

The M1/A1 provides a direct link with the country's main motorway network to the east, the M6 links to the A684 and the Hawes area to the west, and to the north is the A66 trans-pennine road which also links to the M6. You can plan your route on www.theaa.com. National Express coaches serve Harrogate, Lancaster, Leeds, Ripon, Skipton, Thirsk and Darlington.

Let the train take the strain

Easy access is available to main line railway services at both Darlington and Northallerton. The fastest trains from London reach Darlington in 2 hours and 30 minutes. Garsdale Station, 4 miles from Hawes on the Leeds/Settle/Carlisle line is an important link for the rural west. Plan your journey and buy tickets on www.qjump.com. Enjoy a trip and beautiful scenery on the Wensleydale Railway line, currently running through Leyburn on its journeys between Leeming Bar and Redmire.

Travelling from further afield by air

Durham Tees Valley Airport has an expanding range of domestic and international scheduled destinations and is situated just 19 miles from Richmond. Larger regional airports are easily reached at Leeds/Bradford, Newcastle and Manchester

Once you’re in the area – give your car a holiday

Many of our visitors arrive by car. In order to protect this precious landscape, perhaps you could think about not using your car for at least some of the time when you’re in the Yorkshire Dales. The alternative transport options can enhance your holiday or short break. Take your time and enjoy the views! Take a look at www.traveldales.org.uk, www.northyorkstravel.info or www.dalesbus.org for some public transport options.

Throstlenest Dales Tours will show you some hidden treasures as well as giving you a better view. Their minibuses have higher seats so it’s easier to see over all the dry stone walls and you get a rest from driving.

For a journey with a difference, or for Postman Pat fans, why not try the Postbus service? Specially prepared red mail vans pick up post and passengers, taking both to some of the remoter parts of the countryside. You’ll travel with someone who knows the area well and may go to places you wouldn’t otherwise have seen.