- 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.
Cheapest price
$64
Average price
$64
Fastest journey
8 h 55 m
Average duration
8 h 55 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
454 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle will cost around $64 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $64.
It's difficult to get from London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle without transferring at least once.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $27. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $27, and a train costs an average of $177.
Distance: 282 miles (454 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$47 Average price Cheapest | $177 Average price | $76 Average price | $122 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 30m Average total duration 9h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 45m Average total duration 4h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle:
A bus is $29 (€24) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle costing on average $76 (€63).
A bus is $130 (€106) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle costing on average $177 (€145).
Other travel options to Carlisle take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 15m.
Bus takes on average 9h 0m.
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 06:45AM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 10h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 05:55AM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
The table below shows live departures for London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle buses for today, Thursday, July 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:00 PM Gatwick Airport South Terminal | 8h55 | 5:55 AM Carlisle | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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 London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle run on average 6 times per day, taking around 9h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $27 (€22) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:45, the last at 07:45. The fastest bus covers the 282 miles (454 km) distance in 10h 25m.
Distance 282 miles (454 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $27 (€22) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 10h 25m |
First bus 6:45 AM |
Last bus 7:45 AM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
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 London Gatwick Airport 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 London Gatwick Airport to Carlisle buses use the London, Victoria Coach Station to Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) station pair, with some services arriving at Carlisle. Use this guide to compare London Gatwick Airport and Carlisle bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos) is 3 km from Carlisle city centre. Public transport options include:
Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos) has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos): The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need