Edinburgh to Carlisle bus with National Express

Sat 21 Feb
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Swiss Tours
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Edinburgh to Carlisle

Showing times and prices for 23 Feb

Cheapest price

£20

Average price

£24

Fastest journey

4 h 25 m

Average duration

5 h 20 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

119 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Edinburgh to Carlisle will cost around £24 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.

Fast coaches

To travel from Edinburgh to Carlisle you need to make at least one change.

National ExpressNX183 · NX595
17:206h15
Edinburgh, Bus Station
23:35Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street)
£201One-way
1 change
National ExpressNX183 · NX181
20:304h25
Edinburgh, Bus Station
00:55Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street)
£271One-way
1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach 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 coach with prices starting from £8. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 53m. 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 coach costs an average of £8, and a train costs an average of £10.

Distance: 119 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£14

Average Price

Cheapest

£18

Average Price

3h 4m

Average total duration

2h 34m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

Live departures

Edinburgh to Carlisle bus times

The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Carlisle coaches for today, Sunday 22 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 19:31
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus21:15 Edinburgh, Bus Station
4h35
01:50 Carlisle1 change
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus21:20 Edinburgh, Princes Street (Stop PU)
4h30
01:50 Carlisle1 change
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus · FlixBus21:25 Edinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HH)
4h25
01:50 Carlisle1 change
Monday 23 February
national_expressNX183 · NX59517:20 Edinburgh, Bus Station
6h15
23:35 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street)1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Carlisle by train or coach

Compare train and coach 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.

Mon
23 Feb
Tue
24 Feb
Wed
25 Feb
Thu
26 Feb
Fri
27 Feb
Sat
28 Feb
Sun
01 Mar

Why should you book Edinburgh to Carlisle coaches with Omio?

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

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 or Borders Buses 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 National Express 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 or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus or Borders Buses 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: Bus from Edinburgh to Carlisle

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Edinburgh to Carlisle run on average 4 times per day, taking around 2h 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £8 if you book in advance.

There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 03:50, the last at 23:20. The fastest coach covers the 119 km distance in 2h 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
119 km
Average bus duration
2h 34m
Cheapest ticket price
£8
Buses per day
4
Direct buses
1
Fastest bus
2h 25m
First bus
03:50
Last bus
23:20
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, Borders Buses from Edinburgh to CarlisleYou can travel by bus between Edinburgh to Carlisle with National Express, FlixBus, Borders Buses for as low as £8. 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
4h 19m
Cheapest Price
£8
FlixBus frequency
3 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
2h 25m
Cheapest Price
£12
National Express frequency
1 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.

Borders Buses

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 27m
Cheapest Price
£8
Borders Buses frequency
3 a day

FAQs: Edinburgh to Carlisle coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Carlisle 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 Carlisle, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Edinburgh to Carlisle can start from as little as £8 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Edinburgh to Carlisle is £14; 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 Edinburgh to Carlisle is 2h 25m to travel the 119 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 Edinburgh to Carlisle leaves at 3:50. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle leaves at 23:20.
Yes, there are 1 direct coaches a day from Edinburgh to Carlisle with National Express, FlixBus, Borders Buses. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle, you can count on National Express, FlixBus, Borders Buses for the best way to get you to Carlisle. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Edinburgh and Carlisle and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Carlisle from Edinburgh is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 25m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Edinburgh and Carlisle including taking a train and coach.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle for coach company National Express, FlixBus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Edinburgh to Carlisle 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 Edinburgh to Carlisle.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Edinburgh to Carlisle:
  • 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 Edinburgh to Carlisle:
  • 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 Edinburgh to Carlisle. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Edinburgh to Carlisle with the following coach company: National Express, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Edinburgh and Carlisle

Edinburgh
Carlisle
The major coach station for departures in Edinburgh is Edinburgh, Bus Station. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Edinburgh, Bus Station for your trip from Edinburgh to Carlisle.
Edinburgh, Bus StationWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 06:00-23:00
carConnection
Car connection
Elder Street
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Dining
Dining
  • Café at the Station (in the station)
  • Sandwich Shop (in the station).
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the main entrance.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Elevators, ramps
WC
WC
  • Available in the station.
Public transport options for Edinburgh, Bus Station
  • Bus: 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 26, 44 Trams: T50 Trains: Edinburgh Waverley Station
Edinburgh, St Andrew's HouseAccessibility
Amenities at bus station
AccessibilityAccessibility
information
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible

More options for your journey from Edinburgh to Carlisle

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

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Carlisle Edinburgh to Carlisle bus

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