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 an average ticket price of €14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 35m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €14, while a train costs an average of €18.
Distance: 73 miles (119 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€18 Average price | €14 Average price Cheapest | €63 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 35m Average total duration Fastest 2h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 29m Average total duration 2h 59m 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 €4 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Carlisle costing on average €18.
Other travel options to Carlisle take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 29m.
The journey is about 16m faster (2h 5m by train vs 2h 21m by car) and roughly €45 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€18 vs €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.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Edinburgh to Carlisle
How to get from Edinburgh to Carlisle by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Edinburgh to Carlisle is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
G157908:14 PM1h19Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)9:33 PMCarlisle station (CAR)€151One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
G157908:14 PM1h19Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)9:33 PMCarlisle station (CAR)€151One-way0 transfers
Fastest
W3321912:51 PM1h13Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)2:04 PMCarlisle station (CAR)€411One-way0 transfers
Other options
W849296:13 PM1h21Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)7:34 PMCarlisle station (CAR)€211One-way0 transfers
W849244:14 PM1h19Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)5:33 PMCarlisle station (CAR)€351One-way0 transfers
W849172:12 PM1h19Edinburgh Waverley (EDB)3:31 PMCarlisle station (CAR)€361One-way0 transfers
NX183 · NX5955:20 PM6h15Edinburgh, Bus Station11:35 PMCarlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street)€161One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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FAQs: Travel from Edinburgh to Carlisle
Travel to Carlisle easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Edinburgh to Carlisle.

This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Carlisle:
A bus is €4 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Carlisle costing on average €18.
Other travel options to Carlisle take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 29m.
- Around 7 trains per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Edinburgh and Carlisle as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) and arrive in Carlisle station (CAR).
- Buses mostly depart from Edinburgh, Bus Station and arrive in Carlisle.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus, Borders Buses to go to Carlisle by bus.
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, Scotrail, London North Eastern Railway, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express to go to Carlisle by train.
- 1 direct buses per day with Borders Buses.
- 5 direct trains per day with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express.
Travelling from Edinburgh to Carlisle: related information
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