The cheapest and fastest trains from Edinburgh to Carlisle
Cheapest price
$20
Average price
$34
Fastest journey
1 h 11 m
Average duration
1 h 11 m
Trains per day
10
Distance
119 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Carlisle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Carlisle will cost around $34 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $20.
Of the 10 trains that leave Edinburgh for Carlisle on Sat, Jun 20, 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct trains cover the 119 km distance in an average of 1 h 11 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 11 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest trains will take 1 h 12 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.
W336544:52 PM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)6:03 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$201One-way0 transfers
W336938:52 AM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)10:03 AMCarlisle station (CAR)$211One-way0 transfers
W3339810:52 AM1h12Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)12:04 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$221One-way0 transfers
W337622:52 PM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)4:03 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$221One-way0 transfers
W3359612:52 PM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2:03 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$251One-way0 transfers
W336938:52 AM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)10:03 AMCarlisle station (CAR)$211One-way0 transfers
W337622:52 PM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)4:03 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$221One-way0 transfers
W336544:52 PM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)6:03 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$201One-way0 transfers
W3359612:52 PM1h11Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2:03 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$251One-way0 transfers
W3339810:52 AM1h12Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)12:04 PMCarlisle station (CAR)$221One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Edinburgh to Carlisle
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Carlisle 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 2h 5m. 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 $17.
Distance: 73 miles (119 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$35 Average price | $22 Average price Cheapest | $77 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 35m Average total duration Fastest 2h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 30m Average total duration 3h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 21m 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 Edinburgh to Carlisle:
A bus is $13 (€11) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Carlisle costing on average $35 (€28).
Other travel options to Carlisle take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 0m.
The journey is about 16m faster (2h 5m by train vs 2h 21m by car) and roughly $42 (€34) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($35 (€28) 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.
Live departures
Edinburgh to Carlisle train times
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Carlisle trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W84896 | On time 6:12 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h20 | 7:32 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34265 | On time 6:52 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h14 | 8:06 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84901 | On time 8:12 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h19 | 9:31 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33933 | On time 8:52 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h13 | 10:05 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84907 | On time 10:11 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h20 | 11:31 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34060 | On time 10:52 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h12 | 12:04 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84912 | On time 12:12 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h20 | 1:32 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34124 | On time 12:52 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h14 | 2:06 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L88253 · C14938+ W34050 | On time 12:57 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h49 | 3:46 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 2 transfers | |
W84918 | On time 2:12 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h20 | 3:32 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W00587 | On time 2:52 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h13 | 4:05 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84244 · L88666+ W34200 | On time 3:27 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h24 | 5:51 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 2 transfers | |
W84923 | On time 4:11 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h21 | 5:32 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34268 | On time 4:52 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h14 | 6:06 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84928 | On time 6:12 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h20 | 7:32 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33801 | On time 6:52 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h14 | 8:06 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L88274 · L87092+ W34026 | On time 7:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 2h23 | 9:23 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 2 transfers | |
W84877 | On time 8:12 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 1h19 | 9:31 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Carlisle by train or bus
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.
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Jun 28
Jun 29
Jun 30
Jul 01
Jul 02
Jul 03
Why should you book Edinburgh to Carlisle trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Avanti West Coast?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Avanti West Coast, but also compare tickets for the likes of Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway or Scotrail to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Carlisle.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Avanti West Coast with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Edinburgh to Carlisle.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Raileurope or Trip?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway or Scotrail to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Carlisle.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Edinburgh to Carlisle.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Edinburgh to Carlisle
Trains from Edinburgh to Carlisle run on average 7 times per day, taking around 2h 5m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $17 (€14) but you can travel from only $11 (€9) by bus.
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 2h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $17 (€14) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 1h 11m |
First train 4:45 AM |
Last train 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Train companies: Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway, Scotrail, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express from Edinburgh to Carlisle trainsAvanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, London North Eastern Railway, Scotrail, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express trains will get you between Edinburgh and Carlisle from $11 (€9). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
Transpennine Express
Northern Rail
London North Eastern Railway
Scotrail
Caledonian Sleeper
TransPennine Express
FAQs: Trains from Edinburgh to Carlisle
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Edinburgh to Carlisle
Most Edinburgh to Carlisle trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Carlisle station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Carlisle train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Getting to Edinburgh Waverley from Edinburgh city centre
Edinburgh Waverley train station facilities and services
Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.
Tickets and information
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.
Getting to Haymarket from Edinburgh city centre
Haymarket is 1 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Haymarket train station facilities and services
Haymarket has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Haymarket.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Haymarket. ATMs are available at Haymarket.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Haymarket. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Haymarket: Parking, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Haymarket: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Haymarket: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2, 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: No.
Getting to Slateford from Edinburgh city centre
Slateford is 4 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Slateford train station facilities and services
Slateford has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Slateford.
Tickets and information
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Slateford: Parking.
Bike and car services
Available at Slateford: Bike Parking.
Which Carlisle station do trains from Edinburgh arrive at?
Getting to Carlisle from Carlisle city centre
Carlisle train station facilities and services
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
Food and drink options are available at Carlisle.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
ATMs are available at Carlisle.
Tickets and information
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.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Carlisle: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Carlisle: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
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.
Most popular train connections from Edinburgh
More options for your journey from Edinburgh to Carlisle
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