- Must visit
Tullie
City museum with Roman finds, natural history, fine art and local archaeology. An excellent introduction to Carlisle and Cumbria in one compact visit.
Cheapest price
£10
Average price
£10
Fastest journey
1 h 50 m
Average duration
1 h 57 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
136 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Glasgow to Carlisle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Glasgow to Carlisle will cost around £10 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £10.
Of the 3 buses that leave Glasgow for Carlisle every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 136 km distance in an average of 1 h 57 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 50 m .
The slowest buses will take 2 h 5 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.
NX181
NX590
NX595
NX595
NX181
NX590Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Glasgow to Carlisle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 47m. 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 £7, and a train costs an average of £8.
Distance: 136 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£10 Average Price Cheapest | £19 Average Price |
2h 28m Average total duration 1h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 17m Average total duration Fastest 1h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Glasgow to Carlisle coaches for today, Thursday 13 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX590 | 8:40 Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station | 2h05 | 10:45 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX595 | 21:45 Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station | 1h50 | 23:35 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX181 | 23:00 Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station | 1h55 | 0:55 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Glasgow to Carlisle run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 58m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 03:50, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 136 km distance in 1h 50m.
Distance 136 km |
Average bus duration 1h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 1h 50m |
First bus 3:50 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Carlisle — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Carlisle trip today.
City museum with Roman finds, natural history, fine art and local archaeology. An excellent introduction to Carlisle and Cumbria in one compact visit.
Military museum inside Carlisle Castle covering the regiment's history, campaigns and personal stories. Good for understanding the area's long army connections.
Volunteer-run rail museum with restored locomotives, signals and railway memorabilia at a working station. A local favourite for transport history enthusiasts.
Central pedestrianised shopping street with historic buildings, markets and regular city activity. Useful for orientating yourself and seeing everyday Carlisle life.
Riverside park beside the castle, popular for walks, events and open views across the Eden. A relaxing green space close to Carlisle's main heritage sights.
Broad riverside meadow with paths, sports space and pleasant views near the city centre. A quieter local favourite for walking and stretching your legs.
A traditional Cumberland sausage made with chopped pork and pepper, often coiled. It is a defining local speciality of Cumbria and the Carlisle area.
A rich fruit cake from Cumbria made with currants, spices and often lard or butter. It is closely linked with local baking traditions.
A crumbly oat biscuit from Cumbria, usually baked on a griddle. It is a classic local teatime item in Carlisle and across the county.
Stylish restaurant in the city centre serving modern British dishes, steaks and cocktails in a smart but relaxed setting.
Popular independent café and restaurant for brunch, coffee and seasonal plates in a relaxed central Carlisle setting.
Historic city centre pub known for traditional British meals, cask ales and a classic Carlisle atmosphere.
Moderate by UK standards. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than in major cities, while local buses and everyday costs remain fairly manageable for visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Cafés do not usually expect tips.
Official public transport app
Carlisle Station -> Carlisle Bus Station, Carlisle
Reliable buses from Glasgow to Carlisle are provided by operators including National Express and Megabus. The average journey time for direct bus services is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes, although some services in the evenings may be longer. Buses from Glasgow to Carlisle begin running early in the morning and continue late into the evening. Buses depart from Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow and arrive at Carlisle Bus Station. Passengers can look forward to comfortable travel aboard their bus of choice, with complimentary WiFi and onboard toilets.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Glasgow 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.

Most Glasgow to Carlisle buses use the Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station to Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) station pair, with some services arriving at Carlisle. Use this guide to compare Glasgow and Carlisle bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Buchanan (in the station), Coffee Express (in the station), Fast Bites (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station.
Available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.
Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street). ATMs are available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street).
Ticket office support is available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street).
Available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street): Wheelchair accessible entrances and paths present.
Carlisle has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Carlisle. ATMs are available at Carlisle.
Ticket office support is available at Carlisle.
Available at Carlisle: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlisle: Wheelchair accessible entrance and services.
Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos) is 3 km from Carlisle city centre. Public transport options include:
Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos) has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos): The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need