Bus & Boat Ticket (Explorer Zone)

EXPLORER 4
Rule
Bowness Ambleside (Waterhead) Lakeside

Cruise + Bus

Unlimited bus travel and a cruise

4+ hrs return (non-stop)
  • We're sorry, but this ticket cannot currently be booked online. Please purchase your ticket on any Stagecoach bus service or at our piers.
  • Buy these tickets on board the bus from the driver
  • Includes a single half-lake cruise (Red or Yellow)
  • Your ticket is valid on any departure on the day
  • Well behaved dogs travel free
  • Unlimited Stagecoach bus travel across Cumbria and beyond.

Standard Ticket Prices

Adults £20.00
Children £14.00
Families £49.00

Prices are return fares

Valid from: Monday 3rd November 2025

Valid until: Friday 27th March 2026

Combine bus travel and a boat journey in one convenient ticket

For a wonderful day out why not explore The Lake District by bus and boat?

This convenient ticket gets you a single half-lake boat journey plus unlimited bus travel in the surrounding area. You can choose from:

  • One-way Red Cruise single ticket (Bowness Pier ⇄ Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier) or
  • One-way Yellow Cruise single ticket (Bowness Pier ⇄ Lakeside Pier)
  • We would recommend Red Cruise for simpler onward connections via public transport. There are no bus services at Lakeside Pier.

A popular choice is to take in the Lakeland scenery from the open deck of a steamer on Lake Windermere and then hop on the famous open-top 599 bus from Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier back to Bowness?

More information:

See which buses travel to our piers

Cruise Map

Boat and bus mobile map website

Departure Points

Start this cruise from any of these locations

Our Boat and Stagecoach bus explores some beautiful sites

Explore our full gallery for more stunning images.

star star star star star

If you want to explore Windermere, there are buses and boats... By boat you can take red, yellow or blue tour packages or even combine red and yellow...the red will take you to Ambleside and you can get down tour the place and then get back to the origin...It give a beautiful view of the lake...whereas the yellow can take you to lake side and that also beautiful. ~ SH. Google Reviews.

Your guide to what’s on and things to do in the Lake District

From a full day of adventure on Windermere to exploring exciting events on and off the water, see how you can make the most of your Lake District adventure.

Silver Sailors

9 January 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

16 January 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

23 January 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

30 January 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

6 February 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

13 February 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

20 February 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

27 February 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

6 March 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

13 March 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

20 March 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Silver Sailors

27 March 2026

Local people enjoying their retirement in The Lake District can get some amazing discounts at Windermere Lake Cruises and other local attractions.

Useful downloads

Fancy an upgrade?

Explore more!

Make the most of your time on Windermere by upgrading your cruise. Combine your trip with a visit to a local attraction, or enjoy unlimited travel all day with Freedom of the Lake.