- Must visit
National Museum of Scotland
Scotland’s flagship museum covering history, science, design and world cultures in a landmark Victorian building. A top all-round visit in the city.
Cheapest price
$17
Average price
$40
Fastest journey
1 h 15 m
Average duration
1 h 18 m
Trains per day
8
Distance
119 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Carlisle to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Carlisle to Edinburgh will cost around $40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $17.
Of the 8 trains that leave Carlisle for Edinburgh on Wed, Jun 17, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 17 the direct trains cover the 119 km distance in an average of 1 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
On Wed, Jun 17 the slowest trains will take 1 h 24 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Carlisle to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 54m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a train costs an average of $8.
Distance: 73 miles (119 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$33 Average price | $22 Average price Cheapest | $77 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 24m Average total duration Fastest 1h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 36m Average total duration 3h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Carlisle to Edinburgh:
A bus is $11 (€9) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Carlisle to Edinburgh costing on average $33 (€27).
Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 6m.
The journey is about 26m faster (1h 54m by train vs 2h 20m by car) and roughly $45 (€36) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($33 (€27) vs $77 (€63)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Carlisle to Edinburgh trains for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W85164 | On time 8:17 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h24 | 9:41 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34213 | On time 9:02 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h17 | 10:19 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85168 | On time 10:16 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h21 | 11:37 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34144 | On time 11:02 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h18 | 12:20 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85177 | On time 12:10 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h22 | 1:32 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33941 | On time 1:01 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h18 | 2:19 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train 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.
Trains from Carlisle to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 1h 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $8 (€6) if you book in advance.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:45, the last at 23:10. The fastest train covers the 73 miles (119 km) distance in 1h 11m.
Distance 73 miles (119 km) |
Average train duration 1h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $8 (€6) |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 1h 11m |
First train 4:45 AM |
Last train 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Edinburgh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Edinburgh trip today.
Scotland’s flagship museum covering history, science, design and world cultures in a landmark Victorian building. A top all-round visit in the city.
Major national art gallery on The Mound with Scottish and European masterpieces. Central, elegant and one of Edinburgh’s classic cultural stops.
Striking red-sandstone gallery dedicated to portraits of figures from Scottish history and culture. Well regarded for both the collection and the building itself.
Edinburgh’s most famous historic street linking the castle and Holyroodhouse, lined with closes, courtyards, shops and major sights.
One of Edinburgh’s essential viewpoints, especially popular for sunrise and sunset photography. Famous for sweeping views over the city and Arthur’s Seat.
Ancient volcanic peak in Holyrood Park with the city’s most famous hike and outstanding panoramic views. A classic outdoor Edinburgh experience.
Scotland’s best-known national dish: a peppery savoury pudding traditionally made with oats and offal, served with mashed turnips and potatoes. It is strongly associated with Edinburgh and Burns supps
A rich Scottish soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. Though from Cullen, it is a classic on Edinburgh menus and a comforting local staple
A traditional hearty soup of barley, root vegetables and usually lamb or mutton. It is a long-standing Scottish comfort food commonly found in pubs and cafes
A polished gastropub from Tom Kitchin, known for refined Scottish pub classics, seasonal produce and a warm neighbourhood atmosphere
A long-established seafood restaurant popular for Scottish mussels, fish dishes and a relaxed city-centre setting
A respected upscale seafood restaurant focused on high-quality Scottish fish and shellfish in an elegant contemporary space
Edinburgh is pricier than many UK cities, especially for hotels and dining in the centre during peak season.
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip 10-12.5% in restaurants for good service. Rounding up is common in taxis. Tipping is not expected for counter service.
Official public transport app
Edinburgh Waverley, Edinburgh -> Princes Street, Edinburgh
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Carlisle to Edinburgh by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need