The cheapest and fastest coaches from London to Carlisle
Cheapest price
£20
Average price
£28
Fastest journey
6 h 55 m
Average duration
7 h 49 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
421 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from London to Carlisle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London to Carlisle will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £20.
Of the 5 buses that leave London for Carlisle every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 421 km distance in an average of 7 h 49 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 55 m .
The slowest buses will take 9 h 10 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.
NX590
NX594
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX540 · NX590
NX594
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX540 · NX590
NX590Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for London to Carlisle
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Carlisle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £19. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £19, and a train costs an average of £58.
Distance: 421 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£29 Average Price Cheapest | £105 Average Price | £104 Average Price |
8h 2m Average total duration 7h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 56m Average total duration 4h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
London to Carlisle bus times
The table below shows live departures for London to Carlisle coaches for today, Friday 21 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX590 | 09:00 London, Victoria Coach Station | 9h40 | 18:40 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX540 · NX590 | Delayed 12:00 09:30London, Victoria Coach Station | 9h10 | 18:40 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 22:30 London, Victoria Coach Station | 7h25 | 05:55 Carlisle | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 23:00 London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant) | 6h55 | 05:55 Carlisle | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London to Carlisle 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.
22 Nov
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from London to Carlisle
Buses from London to Carlisle run on average 6 times per day, taking around 7h 32m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £19 if you book in advance.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 421 km distance in 6h 55m.
Distance 421 km |
Average bus duration 7h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price £19 |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 6h 55m |
First bus 00:05 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Bus providers: National Express, FlixBus, Megabus from London to CarlisleYou can travel by bus between London to Carlisle with National Express, FlixBus, Megabus for as low as £19. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Coaches from London to Carlisle
The historic city of Carlisle is located just ten miles south of the Scottish border in the north-west district of Cumbria. National Express coaches depart from London's busy Victoria coach station three times daily, covering the 300-mile route in as little as six hours 40 minutes when travelling overnight. Services are available seven days a week, giving passengers access to the historic city. Whenever passengers decide to travel, National Express has a journey to suit their needs.
Which coach companies travel from London to Carlisle?
There is only one company that offers coaches from London to Carlisle. National Express, the leading provider of coach travel across the whole of the UK, has three direct departures per day. The onboard services across their fleet include free WiFi, spacious seating with good legroom and personal air conditioning controls for each passenger.
How long is the coach from London to Carlisle?
The journey times advertised vary significantly, taking into consideration traffic congestion during peak travel time. The fastest journey leaves London Victoria at around 11:00 p.m., travelling overnight and arriving in Carlisle six hours 40 minutes later. The longest journey takes closer to nine hours ten minutes to cover the 300 miles between the two cities.
How many coaches are there from London to Carlisle?
National Express consistently offers three services per day. The schedule includes one morning departure, with two evening departures travelling throughout the night and arriving in Carlisle the following morning. All services are direct and require no changes, allowing passengers to relax on their journey.
What are the departure and arrival stations for coaches from London to Carlisle?
Departure bus station: London Victoria, where all coaches from London to Carlisle begin their journey, is found in central London, in the borough of Westminster. The station is easily accessible thanks to the nearby Victoria train station, which has London Underground links, several local bus routes and extensive train connections. Station facilities include toilets, numerous cafes and restaurants as well as newsagents and shops where passengers can purchase travel essentials.
Arrival bus station: All services terminate at Carlisle Lonsdale Street Station. Found directly in the centre of Carlisle, the train station is less than half a mile away, making onward travel easy to organise. Station facilities are basic, but the close proximity to The Lanes shopping centre gives passengers access to high-street shops to purchase anything they may require.
FAQs: London to Carlisle coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London 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.

When departing from London, you have various coach station options to start your route from including London, Victoria Coach Station and London, Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 & 3. When arriving in Carlisle, you can end your journey in coach stations like Carlisle, Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) and Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos).
Passengers board the coach most frequently from London, Victoria Coach Station, which is located around 1.9 miles (3 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Carlisle, located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) away from the city centre.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from London to Carlisle, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in London and Carlisle
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café Nero (in the station)
- McDonald's (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 13, 102, 139, 183, 210, 226, 240, 245, 328, 460 metro: Northern
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pret a Manger (in the station)
- Caffè Nero (in the station)
- Available outside the arrivals area, with services provided by licensed black cabs and private hire vehicles.
- Ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 105, 111, 140, 285, 423 Train: Heathrow Express Metro: Piccadilly
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pret A Manger (in the station)
- Caffè Nero (in the station)
- Available outside the arrivals area.
- Elevators, ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 285, 490 Train: Heathrow Express Metro: Piccadilly
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- The Crown Rivers (in the station)
- Giraffe (in the station)
- Wagamama (in the station).
- Available outside the arrivals area.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 423, 7, 285 Train: Heathrow Express Metro: Piccadilly
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pret a Manger (in the station)
- Starbucks (in the station).
- Available outside the station on Buckingham Palace Road.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 11, 44, 170, 211, C1, C10 Metro: Victoria Train: Southern, Gatwick Express
- 06:00-23:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pret a Manger (in the station)
- Starbucks (in the station).
- Available outside the station on Bishopsgate.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 11, 23, 26, 76, 133, 388 Metro: Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan Train: Greater Anglia, TfL Rail
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
More options for your journey from London to Carlisle
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