Travelling by bus

Travelling to our centres

Travelling by bus

Because our adventures happen in the wilderness, our centres can sometimes take a long time to reach. That's why we offer a bus transfer from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Stirling and Penrith (depending on which centre you're going to).

Want to book a bus transfer?

Return transfers cost £65 per person for return from Manchester and Birmingham to Aberdovey, £65 per person from Manchester to Ogwen, £65 per person from Glasgow and Stirling to Loch Eil, and £20 per person return from Penrith to Ullswater and Howtown.

Bus timetable and meeting points
Aberdovey - Manchester Piccadilly Station

Timetable for 5-day, 7-day and 14-day adventures:

To Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 10:30 with an expected arrival time of 13:30 at Aberdovey.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure from 13:00 with an expected arrival time of 16:00 back at Manchester Piccadilly.

Timetable for 19-day Pinnacle:

To Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 13:30 with an expected arrival time of 16:30 at Aberdovey.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure from 09:00 with an expected arrival time of 12:00 back at Manchester Piccadilly.


Journey time:
Approximately 3 hours

Meeting point: The seating next to the entrance at platform 1, where the shops and restaurants are (If you have flown into Manchester Airport, there are plenty of direct trains to Piccadilly and the journey is around 20 minutes and costs £3).

Centre phone number:
+44(0)1654 767464

Aberdovey - Birmingham International Train Station

Timetable for 5-day, 7-day and 14-day adventures:

To Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 10:30 with an expected arrival time of 13:30 at Aberdovey.

From Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure from 13:00 with an expected arrival time of 16:00 back at Birmingham International Train Station.

Timetable for 19-day Pinnacle:

To Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 13:30 with an expected arrival time of 16:30 at Aberdovey.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure from 09:00 with an expected arrival time of 12:00 back at Birmingham International Train Station.


Journey time:
Approximately 3 hours

Meeting point: The open area at the top of the escalators that lead to the exit doors (look for the departure boards above). If you've flown in, the station is connected to the airport and you can take the air-rail link to reach the meeting point.

Centre phone number: +44(0)1654 767464

Ogwen - Manchester Piccadilly Station

Timetable for 7-day and 14-day adventures:

To Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 10:30 with an expected arrival time of 13:30 at Ogwen.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure from 13:00 with an expected arrival time of 16:00 back at Manchester Piccadilly.

Journey time:
Approximately 3 hours

Meeting point: The seating next to the entrance at platform 1, where the shops and restaurants are (If you have flown into Manchester Airport, there are plenty of direct trains to Piccadilly and the journey is around 20 minutes and costs £3).

Centre phone number:
+44(0)1654 767464

Loch Eil - Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station

Timetable for 5-day, 7-day and 14-day adventures:

To Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 10:00 with an expected arrival time of 14:00 at Loch Eil.

From Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure from 13:00 with an expected arrival time of 17:00 at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.

Timetable for 19-day Pinnacle:

To Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 13:00 with an expected arrival time of 17:00 at Loch Eil.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure and expected arrival time of 13:00 back to Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.

Journey time: Approximately 4 hours

Meeting point: To be confirmed.

Centre phone number: +44(0)1397 772866

Loch Eil - Stirling Bus Station

Timetable for 5-day, 7-day and 14-day adventures:

To Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 10:45 with an expected arrival time of 13:45 at Loch Eil.

From Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure, with an expected arrival time of 16:15 at Stirling Bus Station

Timetable for 19-day Pinnacle:

To Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 14:15 with an expected arrival time of 17:15 at Loch Eil.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure, with an expected arrival time of 12:15 back at Stirling Bus Station.

Journey time:
Approximately 4 hours

Meeting point: Close to the Information Desk in the bus station

Centre phone number: +44(0)1397 772866

Ullswater/Howtown - Penrith Train Station

Timetable for 5-day, 7-day and 14-day adventures:

To Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at either 12:15 or 13:15 with an expected arrival time of 12:45 and 13:45 at Ullswater or Howtown.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure at 13:00 with an expected arrival time of 13:30 back at Penrith Train Station.

Timetable for 19-day Pinnacle:

To Outward Bound:
Buses will depart on the first day of your adventure at 16:45 with an expected arrival time of 17:00 at Ullswater or Howtown.

From Outward Bound: Buses will depart on the last day of your adventure from 09:00 with an expected arrival time of 09:30 back at Penrith Train Station.


Journey time:
Approximately 20 minutes from Penrith

Meeting point: The car park at the front of the station (Penrith is on the main West Coast Mainline and can be reached directly from London Euston, Manchester and Glasgow Stations).

Centre phone number: +44 (0) 1768 485000

*Please make sure you book your place at least two weeks before you travel. After this time we may not be able to guarantee you a seat.

Important Information

When booking your travel please make sure that your plans allow for any delays and enough time to clear customs, collect your luggage and make your way to the meeting point. Your return journey should also allow enough time to check-in and clear security.

We will do everything we can to make sure our buses run on time but we cannot plan for events outside of our control (like unexpected traffic jams) so please include extra time into your plans to allow for this.

When you reach one of our meeting points there will be someone to greet you from Outward Bound and also accompany you on your journey. This will be the same on the way back too.

If you have any problems and need to contact the centre during your journey or in an emergency you can always give us a call.

  • Aberdovey/Ogwen: 01654 767464
  • Loch Eil: 01397 772866
  • Ullswater/Howtown: 01768 485000

Travelling from overseas?

If you're travelling from outside the UK and under the age of 18, you'll need to print off and bring with you a completed UK Border Force form.

Travelling by car

Parents and carers are more than welcome to pick up and drop off their children. However, if you're planning on driving yourself, you should know that parking is extremely limited, so make sure you check with your centre before setting off.

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