For just £9 you can take a day return journey on either the Settle-Carlisle or the Lancaster-Morecambe lines from Leeds, Bradford Forster Square, Ilkley, Ben Rhydding, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston, Guiseley, Baildon, Frizinghall, Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, Crossflatts, Keighley and also from Cononley and Skipton in North Yorkshire.

The offer runs every day of the week from Monday 5 December 2011 until Friday 23 March 2012 (excluding half term from 11 February to 19 February 2012), and is available to holders of any adult Bus-only MetroCard, StudentPlus MetroCard or Bus & Rail MetroCard (any zone, including Rail Cards 6 &7).

New to this year’s campaign is a £4 flat fare per child for up to 4 children under 16 travelling with one adult on a MetroCard/Rail Zone ticket.

Holders of Metro-issued English National Concessionary Passes can travel any time Monday to Friday only (this includes companions aged over 11, as long as your Pass has the companion symbol).

Win great prizes and blog about your scenic journeys

This year, you can read our blog at www.settlecarlislerailoffer.blogspot.com - share your adventures and experiences of these two beautiful scenic rail routes, and find out what others have been up to.

We have some great prizes in our photo competition. Just take a photo during your journey, email it to us and you could win 4 tickets to a theatre show in West Yorkshire, a Northern Rail Family Day Rail Ticket, £20 shopping vouchers or Family DayRover tickets.

Simply email your photo(s) to settlecarlisle@wypte.gov.uk
(For further instructions about emailing photos, please read the Terms and Conditions below.)

Photos can be anything from a straightforward view of the breathtaking sights along the way. Or you might want to make a more personal statement, like you and your friends enjoying the train journey, or taking a walk on the fells or Morecambe beach.

We will upload all of your photos to our Flickr web gallery at www.flickr.com/wymetro

The competition closes on 23 March 2012. Please read the competition Terms and Conditions before entering.

Frequently asked questions about the route

Which routes can I travel on?

The offer is only available on Northern services from Leeds, Bradford Forster Square, Ilkley and intermediate stations as far as Skipton to any station between Carlisle or Morecambe

How early can a Metro-issued English National Concessionary Pass holder travel with this offer?

Please note that train timetables on both routes may change on Sunday 11 December. You may travel on the 0819 Morecombe train and the 0849 Carlisle train from Leeds. However, any travel before 0930 to connect with these services will be charged at the normal rate. The offer is also available on the first train from Leeds to Carlisle 0529 from 12 December......if you can get up that early!

Can I make my return journey from a different station?

Yes, return journeys can start from any station on the same line. For example, if you buy your day return from Leeds to Carlisle, you can travel to Settle, enjoy a walk to Horton-in-Ribbleshead where you can catch the train home.

Where do I buy a ticket?

You can buy your Special Offer £9 ticket before starting your journey, from any staffed station in West Yorkshire or from Skipton in North Yorkshire. If a ticket office is closed or you are boarding a train at an unstaffed station, you may purchase a ticket from the conductor on the train. Please remember to show your MetroCard or Metro-issued English National Concessionary pass when buying your ticket otherwise you will be charged the full fare.

Timetable changes and engineering work?

Train timetables on both routes may change on Sunday 11 December 2011. Please remember that no train services operate on 25 and 26 December 2011.

There are planned engineering works on 10-11 December, 17-18 December and 27-28 December 2011.

Before travelling, please ask at your local staffed station, call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

Please note that this offer is very popular during its last few weeks and with the 1505 return from Carlisle, a seat cannot be guaranteed on the most popular days.

Discount offers in the Yorkshire Dales

If you’re travelling by public transport within the Yorkshire Dales, then take advantage of the Dales Bus Discount Scheme. Get discounts in shops, cafes, pubs or other attractions in and around the towns and villages of the Settle-Carlisle or Lancaster–Morecambe rail lines. To claim your discount, all you need to do is show a valid bus or train ticket for that day at participating businesses. Look out for the Dales Bus discount stickers or view businesses and their discounts at www.traveldales.org.uk/dalesbus

Hallmark Hotel (formerly known as The Lakes Court Hotel) adjacent to Carlisle Citadel Railway Station is offering all customers a 15% discount on refreshments on production of a valid rail ticket for that day. This offer does not include drinks from the bar.

The Settle-Carlisle Experience

The Friends of Settle-Carlisle Line provide volunteer on-train guides. Try out the new MP3 audio guide ‘Listen on the Line’. The Friends also organise walks every weekend and some Wednesdays. Find out more at www.settle-carlisle.co.uk