- Must visit
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
Leading city museum and gallery with Roman, Border Reiver, natural history, and art collections in a historic house.
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Belfast to Carlisle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $74 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 30m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $74, while a flight costs an average of $578.
Distance: 121 miles (195 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$74 Average price Cheapest | $578 Average price | $2 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 25m Average total duration 7h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 30m Average total duration Fastest 2h 30m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Belfast to Carlisle:
A bus is $504 (€406) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Belfast to Carlisle costing on average $578 (€466).
Other travel options to Carlisle take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 55m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 11:35PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $73 |
The table below shows live departures for Belfast to Carlisle buses for today, Friday, August 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:20 PM Belfast | 9h15 | 10:35 PM Carlisle | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare flight and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Belfast to Carlisle run on average 1 times per day, taking around 7h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $73 (€59) but you can travel from only $46 (€37) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 04:50, the last at 14:20. The fastest bus covers the 121 miles (195 km) distance in 7h 55m.
Distance 121 miles (195 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $73 (€59) |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 7h 55m |
First bus 4:50 AM |
Last bus 2:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Discover the best of Carlisle — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Carlisle trip today.
Leading city museum and gallery with Roman, Border Reiver, natural history, and art collections in a historic house.
Major museum inside Carlisle Castle exploring Cumbria's military past, regimental history, and border conflicts.
Hands-on Roman frontier gallery at Tullie House presenting Hadrian's Wall finds and frontier life in Cumbria.
Large central park with historic features, play areas, walks, and frequent events near the city centre.
Popular riverside park with trails, picnic areas, and open green space ideal for walking or relaxing by the Eden.
Attractive riverside walk near the castle and cathedral, offering green views and one of Carlisle's best strolls.
Cumberland Sausage is the area’s signature coiled pork sausage, seasoned with pepper and herbs. It is a protected regional specialty long associated with Cumbria.
A hearty hotpot of lamb or mutton with onions and sliced potatoes, linked to old Cumbrian farm cooking and valued for its simple, filling character.
This traditional Cumbrian soup combines ham broth, split peas and vegetables. It reflects frugal northern cooking and is still a comforting local staple.
Established city-centre restaurant known for polished modern British cooking, tasting menus and a refined but relaxed atmosphere.
Well-regarded independent bistro focused on locally sourced British food, steaks and seasonal specials in a casual setting.
Historic traditional pub serving cask ales and classic British dishes in a characterful setting close to Carlisle Castle.
Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining are usually cheaper than major cities, while local buses and trains are standard regional prices.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Round up small cafe bills and taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Carlisle Railway Station -> Carlisle City Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Belfast to Carlisle by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Carlisle, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Belfast to Carlisle buses use the Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street to Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) station pair. Use this guide to compare Belfast and Carlisle bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street is 1 km from Belfast city centre. Public transport options include:
Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street. ATMs are available at Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street.
Ticket office support is available at Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street.
Available at Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Belfast, Upper Queen Street / Wellington Street: Accessibility features not detailed.
Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street). ATMs are available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street).
Ticket office support is available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street).
Available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street): Wheelchair accessible entrances and paths present.
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