- 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
£9
Average price
£10
Fastest journey
1 h 40 m
Average duration
1 h 56 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
120 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Motherwell to Carlisle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Motherwell to Carlisle will cost around £10 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £9.
Of the 2 buses that leave Motherwell for Carlisle 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 120 km distance in an average of 1 h 56 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 2 h 11 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Motherwell to Carlisle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 2m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £9, and a coach costs an average of £11.
Distance: 120 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£11 Average Price | £9 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 18m Average total duration 1h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 32m Average total duration Fastest 1h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Motherwell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 22:25 Motherwell | 1h30 | 23:55 Carlisle | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 23:25 Motherwell | 1h30 | 0:55 Carlisle | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 22 August | |||||
![]() | 8:34 Motherwell | 2h11 | 10:45 Carlisle | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:05 Motherwell | 1h40 | 10:45 Carlisle | 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 Motherwell to Carlisle run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £11 but you can travel from only £9 by train.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 04:50, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 120 km distance in 1h 40m.
Distance 120 km |
Average bus duration 1h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price £11 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 1h 40m |
First bus 4:50 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Thu |
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
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Motherwell 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 Motherwell to Carlisle buses use the Hamilton, Bus Station (Interchange) to Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) station pair, with some services arriving at Carlisle. Use this guide to compare Motherwell and Carlisle bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need