The Yorkshire Dales area is served by the Leeds to Lancaster/Morecambe line (also known as the Bentham Line) and the famous Leeds - Settle - Carlisle line, which both have a service running several times daily operated by Northern Trains, plus Summer Sunday DalesRail from Lancashire via Clitheroe.
If you are using the train you are still recommended to wear a face covering, unless exempt, and wash your hands before and after travel. DalesRailruns on summer Sundays from Blackpool and Preston to Settle and Carlisle and is scheduled to restart on Sunday 17th May 2022. In the meantime the Ribble Valley Explorer train runs between Blackpool, Preston, Clitheroe and Hellifield on Winter Sundays, with onward connections to Settle and Carlisle.
The "Staycation Express" charter train service on the Settle-Carlisle Line will however not be running in Summer 2022.
Many other access points to the Yorkshire Dales are also well served by rail. The local rail operator in the Yorkshire area is Northern Rail, who provide frequent services to Skipton, Ilkley, Harrogate, Leeds and York.
The Airedale line provides frequent services from Leeds, Bradford and Keighley to Skipton, with some trains continuing to Settle/Carlisle and Lancaster/Morecambe. The Wharfedale line provides frequent services from Leeds and Bradford to Ilkley, for onward connecting buses to Bolton Abbey and Upper Wharfedale. Click here for timetables (routes 39 and 40).
The railway line from Leeming Bar to Redmire, via Bedale and Leyburn is now operated by the Wensleydale Railway.
Further details can also be obtained from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.
Additional information is available on the websites of the train operators themselves, links to which are provided below:
Local services throughout the north of England, including the Leeds - Settle - Carlisle Railway, Leeds - Morecambe line, and Summer Sunday Lancashire Dalesrail service.
TransPennine Express services from Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh and Newcastle to Northallerton, York and Leeds
InterCity services to Leeds, Harrogate, York and Bradford from London Kings Cross, Newcastle and Scotland (also limited service to Skipton)
InterCity services to Leeds and York from the SouthWest, Birmingham, Newcastle and Scotland
InterCity services to Bradford, York and Northallerton from London Kings Cross
Bus links into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales are available from numerous stations, including Northallerton, Harrogate, Ilkley, Skipton, Settle, Ribblehead, Dent and Garsdale. See map and All Year Bus Services and Extra Summer Bus Services pages for more details.