It is easy to travel around Swanage town centre on foot or by bike. The majority of the town and seafront promenade is flat, so if you are bringing a mobility scooter with you or hiring a mobility scooter during your stay, you’ll be able to see most places of interest very easily.
Swanage is located on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and there are options to explore this world-famous landscape by boat from Swanage Pier or on foot along the South West Coast Path. This national trail is England’s longest trail and connects with Old Harry Rocks and Studland village to the north and Anvil Point Lighthouse and Durlston Country Park to the south.
If you want to explore the surrounding area and neighbouring villages on foot or by bike, there are many walking and cycling routes to choose from.
Travelling around Swanage by bus
The bus station is located next to Swanage Railway Station, however there are numerous bus stops around the town where you can catch a bus from.
You can pay for tickets on the bus in cash, by card or on your smartphone.
Purbeck Breezer bus number 40 connects Swanage with Langton Matravers, Kingston, Corfe Castle, Wareham (and Wareham Railway Station) and its final stop is in Poole.
Purbeck Breezer bus number 50 connects Swanage with Studland, Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs, Westbourne and Bournemouth (including Bournemouth Railway Station).
The seasonal Jurassic Breezer bus number 30 usually operates between May and September. From Swanage you can travel to Harmans Cross, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Weymouth.
Getting around Swanage by train
Swanage has its own heritage railway line operated by Swanage Railway. From Swanage you can take a nostalgic train ride to Herston, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden. You can take bikes on the train and then explore the local area by bike (or on foot).
Wareham is the nearest mainline railway station and is 10 miles away from Swanage. You can catch a bus to Wareham with connecting trains to Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole, Christchurch, Bournemouth and beyond, with the final destination being London.
Boat trips from Swanage
From Swanage Pier you can take a sightseeing boat trip through Swanage Bay and along the Jurassic Coast to Poole with Coastal Cruises.
The journey to Poole Quay is 1 hour and you get up to 5 hours to explore the harbourside town of Poole before returning to Swanage.
It’s a great way to travel without a car and allows you to see the Jurassic Coast from a different angle. You’ll pass the impressive Old Harry Rocks on your journey which are one of the most iconic landmarks on Dorset’s coast.
Travelling around Swanage by taxi
There are a number of local taxi companies who pick up and drop off in the Swanage area.
As well as getting you from A to B within the local area, some also offer train station, airport and ferry terminal transfers.
There is a taxi rank outside Swanage Railway and Bus Station and Swanage Taxis offer wheelchair accessible cabs if required.
