- 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.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Carlisle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Carlisle will cost around €56 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €46.
On Tue, Nov 03, we found 6 trains from Manchester to Carlisle, including 3 direct services.
On Tue, Nov 03 the direct trains cover the 164 km distance in an average of 1 h 50 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 45 m .
On Tue, Nov 03 the slowest trains will take 1 h 53 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.
W85170
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Trains from Manchester to Carlisle run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 51m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €13 if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:00, the last at 21:35. The fastest train covers the 101 miles (164 km) distance in 1h 42m.
Plan this route
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Manchester to Carlisle.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Carlisle trains for today, Monday, November 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W34144+ C04439 | Delayed 9:29 AM 8:41 AMManchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h19 | 11:00 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
W34177+ G89062 | Delayed 9:41 AM 8:56 AMDeansgate (DGT) | 1h51 | 10:47 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
W84656+ W34254 | On time 9:11 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h38 | 11:49 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
W85170 | On time 9:24 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h53 | 11:17 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C01369+ C04444 | Delayed 10:27 AM 9:41 AMManchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h16 | 11:57 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
W85188 | On time 1:24 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h52 | 3:16 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C01372+ C21811 | Delayed 2:28 PM 1:41 PMManchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h19 | 4:00 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
W34187+ G89051 | Delayed 2:41 PM 1:56 PMDeansgate (DGT) | 1h51 | 3:47 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
W85191 | On time 2:24 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h51 | 4:15 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34290+ C21591 | Delayed 3:27 PM 2:41 PMManchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 2h22 | 5:03 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
W34007+ G89067 | Delayed 3:41 PM 2:56 PMDeansgate (DGT) | 1h52 | 4:48 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
| Tuesday, November 3 | |||||
W85168 | 8:24 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 1h50 | 10:14 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34177+ G89062 | 8:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 1h51 | 10:47 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
G89062+ W34144 | 8:56 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 2h04 | 11:00 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Trains from Manchester to Carlisle with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, and Northern Rail. High-speed trains available on this route with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, and Lumo. Regional trains available on this route with Northern Rail. Use the details below to compare onboard facilities.
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
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
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Carlisle.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Carlisle 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 Carlisle, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Carlisle trains use the Manchester Airport to Carlisle station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Carlisle train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Oxford Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Oxford Road: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Carlisle has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Carlisle.
ATMs are available at Carlisle.
Ticket office support is available at Carlisle. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Carlisle: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Carlisle: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlisle: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform Lifts available to platforms via subway. Alternatively there is a ramped footbridge. Staff are available to assist on request, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Check train stations information for Manchester and Carlisle, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.