There are many ways to access the beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales by public transport from West Yorkshire. Daily bus services run from towns on the edge of the Dales to the main towns, villages and tourist attractions, providing many opportunities for a day out. These are supplemented by extra bus services from West Yorkshire on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, some of which run year-round with extra services in the summer months.

From Leeds

• Take the frequent trains on the Airedale line to Skipton or on the Wharfedale line to Ilkley, for onward buses into the heart of the Dales.
• Alternatively catch bus X84 from Leeds and Otley to Ilkley or Skipton, or bus 36 from Leeds to Harrogate or Ripon.
• Experience some of the more rugged scenery of the Dales by taking a ride on the Leeds - Settle - Carlisle railway line.

From Bradford

• Take the frequent trains on the Airedale line to Skipton or on the Wharfedale line to Ilkley, for onward buses into the heart of the Dales.
• Catch the train to Shipley, and then take a ride on the Settle - Carlisle railway line to experience some of the more rugged scenery of the Dales.

From Keighley

• Take the frequent trains on the Airedale line, or frequent buses 66/66A, to Skipton for onward buses into the heart of the Dales.
• On Sundays throughout the year service 66A extends beyond Skipton to Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales National Park every hour.
• Experience some of the more rugged scenery of the Dales by taking a ride on the Settle - Carlisle railway line.

From Wetherby

• Catch bus 770 to Harrogate, for onward buses into the heart of the Dales.

From elsewhere in West Yorkshire

Take the train to Ilkley, Skipton or Harrogate for onward buses into the heart of the Dales. 

Gateways to the Dales

Ilkley

On weekdays catch bus 74 from Ilkley up Wharfedale to Bolton Abbey, Burnsall or Grassington, with connections to Buckden. On Sundays catch Cravenlink bus 884 to Bolton Abbey, The Strid and Halton Heights.

On Saturdays and Sundays from Easter until September catch the Malham Tarn Shuttle Bus service 809 to Settle, Malham Tarn and Malham. 

Skipton

The historic market town of Skipton is known as "the Gateway to the Dales". From Skipton catch hourly buses to Grassington (service 72 on weekdays, service 66A on Sundays), weekday bus X59 to Bolton Bridge, Blubberhouses and Harrogate or weekend buses 210/809 to Malham. 

Harrogate

Catch bus 24 from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale, bus 36 to Ripley and Ripon, or bus X59 to Blubberhouses, Bolton Bridge and Skipton. 

There are many ways to access the beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales by public transport from West Yorkshire. Daily bus services run from towns on the edge of the Dales to the main towns, villages and tourist attractions, providing many opportunities for a day out. These are supplemented by extra bus services from West Yorkshire on Sundays and Bank Holidays, some of which run year-round with extra services in the summer months.

Dales Bus Discount Scheme

Look out for these window stickers across the Yorkshire Dales.

If you're travelling by public transport to or through the Yorkshire Dales, then take advantage of the Dales Bus Discount Scheme. Keep your eye open for the window stickers in participating cafés, pubs, B&Bs and other attractions in the Dales - or use the links below to search through a complete listing of businesses that offer a Dales Bus Discount.

Whether it's a free cup of tea with your meal, money off your overnight stay, or a discounted entry to one of the Dale's attractions, there's never been a better time to travel by bus. All you need is a valid public transport ticket when claiming your discount at participating businesses.

All businesses, their discounts and more information are listed on the Travel Dales web site.

For more information on public transport in the Yorkshire Dales, why not visit the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group web site.