Travel to Lancaster with megabus

To paraphrase its PR-friendly strapline, Lancaster may be a small city, but it’s got a big story. History is well and truly covered thanks to big attractions like Lancaster Castle, as well as a clutch of stately homes and an impressive collection of museums. Lancaster also boasts one of the top 10 universities in the UK, more than 40 miles of canal networks and the kind of countryside other cities can only wish for. Book a coach trip to Lancaster today and you’ll wonder why you didn’t come sooner.

Lancaster: top 3 things to do

1. Uncover the past at Lancaster Castle

Home to captive prisoners until as recently as 2011, Lancaster Castle could tell a thousand stories. And you can hear the best of them in all their grisly detail on a castle tour. One of the most famous is the trial and execution of the 'Lancashire Witches' in the early 17th Century. The macabre tales will send shivers down your spine.

2. Go on a foodie tour of Lancaster Market

Lancaster’s Charter Market stalls fill the city centre every Wednesday and Saturday, and they’re a foodie’s dream. Sample local fare like Lancaster cheese, smoked fish and potted shrimp, as well as plenty of global flavours. You can pick up things like chutney and sauces, too, so you can take your foodie tour back home.

3. Skydive above the city

The longest-running parachute centre in the country calls Lancaster home, so it’d be rude not to pay the place a visit. Black Knights Parachute Centre runs tandem and static line jumps for beginners and more experienced adrenaline heads. It’s a pretty impressive way to get a bird’s-eye view of the city.

Lancaster: getting around

Book a megabus to Lancaster and take advantage of on board features like free WiFi* and charging points* during your journey on most of our coaches. A 20kg luggage allowance is also included in your ticket price, so all your essential packing is covered.

Once you arrive by coach in Lancaster, getting around is nice and easy. Walking is a good option in the city centre, as traffic can get quite busy. And cycling is easy here thanks to a great network of cycle paths and routes, plus some brilliant facilities for bikes – like secure cycle stores.

If you want to get a bit further out, there’s a one-way traffic system that circles the city centre, so lots of buses run on this loop.

And if you’re heading to Lancaster University, buses leave frequently from the bus station on Damside Street. Or, you can cycle via two dedicated off-road routes – it’ll only take you about 20 minutes.

Lancaster: best for shopping

Right in the city centre, Marketgate Shopping Centre is a great place to start for retail therapy. It’s pedestrianised, so you can browse high street brands like Primark and Waterstone’s at your own pace. St Nicholas Arcades – or St Nics to the locals – is undercover, so it’s a good choice for a rainy day and more of the same household names.

And as for one-offs that don’t come with a brand name, you’ll find independent shops dotted throughout the city centre. Plus, the huge street market on a Wednesday and Saturday is a great shout for unique finds.

Lancaster for free: our top 3

1. Laze on the grass at Williamson Park

The iconic Ashton Memorial – known locally as the Jelly Mould – is the most famous part of Williamson Park. And once you’ve taken the obligatory photo of it you can enjoy the second most famous attraction: the 54 acres of parkland. Bring a picnic and stay all day, and pop in to the Butterfly House while you’re here.

2. Explore the Lancaster City Museum

Housed in the former Town Hall in Market Square, Lancaster City Museum is well worth a visit for a free day out – particularly if it’s raining. It’s fit to bursting with artefacts that date back through the ages, but it’s the local exhibits about Lancaster’s history that really stand out.

3. Wander along the canal

Some 40-odd miles worth of lock-free canals snake through Lancaster and the farmland around it, and a stroll along the water’s edge is as peaceful as it gets. Plus, you can pay to board a Lancaster Canal Boat if you’d rather soak up the scenery from the water.

Book your cheap Lancaster coach tickets using the journey planner on this page.

We serve Lancaster from a number of routes including:

*Subject to availability and connection