- 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
£22
Average price
£53
Fastest journey
6 h 45 m
Average duration
7 h 49 m
Buses per day
8
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 £53 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £22.
Of the 8 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 45 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.
NX595
NX590
NX540 · NX181
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX595
FlixBus
FlixBus
NX540 · NX181
NX590Omio 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 £15. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 20m. 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 £15, and a train costs an average of £28.
Distance: 421 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£23 Average Price Cheapest | £73 Average Price | £47 Average Price |
8h 1m Average total duration 7h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 51m Average total duration 4h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 20m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m 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.
The table below shows live departures for London to Carlisle coaches for today, Friday 21 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX540 · NX181 | 20:00 London, Victoria Coach Station | 8h50 | 4:50 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 20:30 London, Victoria Green Line Coach Station | 9h25 | 5:55 Carlisle | 1 change | |
FlixBus | 22:30 London, Victoria Coach Station | 7h25 | 5:55 Carlisle | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 23:00 London, Finchley Road ("Subway" restaurant) | 6h55 | 5:55 Carlisle | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 22 August | |||||
NX590 | 9:00 London, Victoria Coach Station | 9h10 | 18:10 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX032 · NX210 · NX181 | 13:50 London, Hammersmith Bridge Road | 15h00 | 4:50 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 2 changes | |
NX032 · NX410 · NX181 | 13:50 London, Hammersmith Bridge Road | 15h00 | 4:50 Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 2 changes | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, train 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.
Buses from London to Carlisle run on average 5 times per day, taking around 7h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 421 km distance in 6h 45m.
Distance 421 km |
Average bus duration 7h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 6h 45m |
First bus 0:10 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Most London to Carlisle buses use the London, Victoria Coach Station to Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) station pair, with some services arriving at Carlisle. Use this guide to compare London and Carlisle bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
London, Victoria Coach Station is 2 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
London, Victoria Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Pret a Manger (in the station), Starbucks (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at London, Victoria Coach Station.
Available at London, Victoria Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at London, Victoria Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
London, Baker Street Station is 2 km from London city centre. Public transport options include:
London, Baker Street Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at London, Baker Street Station. ATMs are available at London, Baker Street Station.
Ticket office support is available at London, Baker Street Station.
Available at London, Baker Street Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at London, Baker Street Station: Ramps available for wheelchair access.
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