4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Manchester to Carlisle
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Carlisle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $36 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 21m. 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 $36, while a train costs an average of $55.
Distance: 101 miles (164 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$55 Average price | $36 Average price Cheapest | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 21m Average total duration Fastest 1h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 20m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg 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.
Compare ways to travel from Manchester to Carlisle
Compare the available ways to get from Manchester to Carlisle, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Carlisle:
A bus is $20 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Carlisle costing on average $55.
Other travel options to Carlisle take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 3m.
You'll arrive about 29m sooner (1h 51m by train vs 2h 20m by car). Tickets start at around $55 compared to roughly $43 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Travel optionsfrom Manchester to Carlisle
How to get from Manchester to Carlisle by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Manchester to Carlisle is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus · FlixBus11:30 PM 6h25 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange 5:55 AM Carlisle $25 1 One-way 1 transfer
Cheapest
- FlixBus · FlixBus
11:30 PM 6h25 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange 5:55 AM Carlisle $25 1 One-way 1 transfer
Fastest
W8517710:24 AM 1h45 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) 12:09 PM Carlisle station (CAR) $58 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
- W85170
9:24 AM 1h53 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) 11:17 AM Carlisle station (CAR) $55 1 One-way 0 transfers - W85168
8:24 AM 1h50 Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) 10:14 AM Carlisle station (CAR) $58 1 One-way 0 transfers - W34254+
G890459:56 AM 1h53 Deansgate (DGT) 11:49 AM Carlisle station (CAR) $73 1 One-way 1 transfer
- NX181
1:35 AM 3h15 Manchester, Coach Station 4:50 AM Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) $39 1 One-way 0 transfers - NX590
3:40 PM 2h35 Manchester, Coach Station 6:15 PM Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) $41 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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FAQs: Travel from Manchester 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 Manchester to Carlisle.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Carlisle:
A bus is $20 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Carlisle costing on average $55.
Other travel options to Carlisle take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 3m.
- Around 8 trains per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Manchester and Carlisle as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Manchester Airport (MIA) and arrive in Carlisle station (CAR).
- Buses mostly depart from Manchester, Airport and arrive in Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street).
- Ferries mostly depart from Heysham and arrive in Douglas.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Carlisle by bus.
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, Lumo to go to Carlisle by train.
- 2 direct buses per day with National Express.
- 3 direct trains per day with Transpennine Express.
Travelling from Manchester to Carlisle: related information
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