Carlisle to Birmingham bus with National Express

Tue 24 Feb
+ Add return
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Swiss Tours
BlaBlaCar Bus
1,000+ travel companies
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Swiss Tours
BlaBlaCar Bus
1,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest coaches from Carlisle to Birmingham

Showing times and prices for 25 Feb

Cheapest price

£18

Average price

£24

Fastest journey

5 h 25 m

Average duration

5 h 30 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

277 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Carlisle to Birmingham is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Carlisle to Birmingham will cost around £24 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £18.

Fast coaches

Of the 2 buses that leave Carlisle for Birmingham every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 277 km distance in an average of 5 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 25 m .

The slowest buses will take 5 h 35 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.

National Express
10:455h25
Carlisle
16:10Birmingham
£181One-way
0 changes
National Express
00:505h35
Carlisle
06:25Birmingham
£301One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Carlisle to Birmingham

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Carlisle to Birmingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £12. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, and a flight costs an average of £25.

Distance: 277 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Flight

£21

Average Price

Cheapest

£36

Average Price

£73

Average Price

6h 6m

Average total duration

5h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 31m

Average total duration

3h 1m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 10m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 10m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.3 - 0.7kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Carlisle to Birmingham bus times

The table below shows live departures for Carlisle to Birmingham coaches for today, Tuesday 24 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 05:13
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_express10:45 Carlisle
5h25
16:10 Birmingham0 changesdirect
Wednesday 25 February
national_express00:50 Carlisle
5h35
06:25 Birmingham0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Carlisle to Birmingham by train, coach or flight

Compare train, coach and flight 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.

Wed
25 Feb
Thu
26 Feb
Fri
27 Feb
Sat
28 Feb
Sun
01 Mar
Mon
02 Mar
Tue
03 Mar

Why should you book Carlisle to Birmingham coaches with Omio?

National Express as well as FlixBus offer coaches services from Carlisle to Birmingham.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Carlisle to Birmingham.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for National Express, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Carlisle to Birmingham.
  • 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 National Express with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Carlisle to Birmingham.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Carlisle to Birmingham.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Carlisle to Birmingham.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Carlisle to Birmingham

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Carlisle to Birmingham run on average 3 times per day, taking around 5h 36m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £12 if you book in advance.

There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:50, the last at 23:15. The fastest coach covers the 277 km distance in 5h 25m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
277 km
Average bus duration
5h 36m
Cheapest ticket price
£12
Buses per day
3
Direct buses
2
Fastest bus
5h 25m
First bus
00:50
Last bus
23:15
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus from Carlisle to BirminghamYou can travel by bus between Carlisle to Birmingham with National Express, FlixBus for as low as £12. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
11h 40m
Cheapest Price
£32
FlixBus frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
5h 25m
Cheapest Price
£12
National Express frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

FAQs: Carlisle to Birmingham coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Carlisle to Birmingham by coach. 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 coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Birmingham, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Carlisle to Birmingham can start from as little as £12 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Carlisle to Birmingham is £21; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Carlisle to Birmingham is 5h 25m to travel the 277 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Carlisle to Birmingham leaves at 0:50. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Carlisle to Birmingham leaves at 23:15.
Yes, there are 2 direct coaches a day from Carlisle to Birmingham with . Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Carlisle to Birmingham, you can count on National Express, FlixBus for the best way to get you to Birmingham. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Carlisle and Birmingham and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Birmingham from Carlisle is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 25m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Carlisle to Birmingham is November.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Carlisle and Birmingham including taking a train, coach and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Carlisle to Birmingham:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Carlisle to Birmingham for coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Carlisle to Birmingham depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Carlisle to Birmingham.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Carlisle to Birmingham:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Carlisle to Birmingham:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Carlisle to Birmingham. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Carlisle to Birmingham with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Carlisle to Birmingham with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Carlisle to Birmingham with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Carlisle and Birmingham

Carlisle
Birmingham
The major coach station for departures in Carlisle is Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street). Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) for your trip from Carlisle to Birmingham.
Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street)
information
Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos)Accessibility
Amenities at bus station
AccessibilityAccessibility
information
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
3 km
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
Carlisle
information

More options for your journey from Carlisle to Birmingham

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

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Birmingham Carlisle to Birmingham bus

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone