Good news for families looking for affordable adventures – you can still reach some of the UK’s top attractions for no more than £3 a bus journey, thanks to the government’s extended
fare cap.
This scheme makes it easier (and cheaper) to plan a day out, whether that’s a trip to the seaside, a countryside walk, or a big family day at one of the UK’s most-loved attractions. With thousands of routes included, it’s opening up access to days out that won’t break the bank – all while giving local economies a welcome boost.
That means for just £3 per single fare, you could hop on a bus to places like Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Warwick Castle, West Midlands Safari Park, and the National Space Centre.
The cap is part of a wider government investment of over £1 billion to improve bus services across towns, cities, and rural communities – aiming to make buses more frequent, reliable, and better connected.
Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, said:
“Whether it’s a trip to the seaside, a day out at a museum, or just visiting friends, we want people to get out and enjoy everything their area has to offer – without worrying about the cost.
That’s why we’ve kept the £3 fare cap in place and why we’re investing in better, more reliable buses across the country. It’s about making travel simpler, cheaper and better for everyone, driving growth and access to opportunity as part of our Plan for Change”.
The new Bus Services Bill will also hand more control back to local leaders, helping them shape services that work best for their communities and protecting essential routes from being cut.
Ultimately, the goal is simple: cheaper travel, stronger local economies, and buses that people can actually rely on. So this summer, why not swap the car for the bus and enjoy a fun, affordable day out?
Sabrina de Carvalho, managing director of Merlin’s UK operations, added:
“We see an increasing number of guests travelling to Merlin’s UK attractions by public transport and we always encourage them to leave the car at home – where they can – and make use of sustainable travel options when having memorable days out.
With bus fares continuing to be capped at £3, I have no doubt that more and more visitors will reach our entertainment destinations using this affordable mode of transport. Information about public transport options, including bus routes, is made available on our attraction websites”.
Alison Edwards, director of policy and external relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said:
“Bus operators are ready for one of their busiest weekends of the year up and down the country this August Bank Holiday. With warm and dry weather forecast across most of the country, as many as 20 million journeys are likely to be taken by bus over the long weekend as people take the opportunity for an affordable day out.
Bus travel is enjoying a revival nationwide with journeys up steadily year-on-year, which is great news for communities, for tourist destinations and for the economy”.
VisitEngland CEO, Patricia Yates, said:
“England’s first-class attractions, from our world-renowned museums, art galleries and historic houses to our parks and gardens, remain vitally important to our tourism offer to both international and domestic visitors. By reducing the cost of public transport to these destinations, we’re removing barriers whilst supporting greener travel choices.
Our research shows people will be out exploring this weekend. I encourage you to get out and discover England’s fine attractions. Not only will you be giving our great attractions a much-needed boost, I know you will enjoy a fantastic day out with family and friends creating memories of a lifetime”. Photo by Tony Atkin, Wikimedia commons.