- Must visit
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen’s main art gallery with Scottish and international works, a sculpture court and changing exhibitions in a restored civic building.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Carlisle to Aberdeen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 14m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, while a flight costs an average of £328.
Distance: 255 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£47 Average Price | £15 Average Price Cheapest | £328 Average Price | £58 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 14m Average total duration Fastest 3h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 40m Average total duration 6h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 27m Average total duration 7h 27m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Carlisle to Aberdeen:
A coach is £32 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Carlisle to Aberdeen costing on average £47.
A coach is £313 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Carlisle to Aberdeen costing on average £328.
Other travel options to Aberdeen take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 10m.
Flight takes on average 7h 27m.
The journey is about 22m faster (3h 44m by train vs 4h 6m by car) and roughly £10 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£47 vs £58). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Carlisle to Aberdeen trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W85160+ C15596 · C14626 | On time 6:50 Carlisle station (CAR) | 4h09 | 10:59 Aberdeen station (ABD) | 2 changes | |
W34213+ C01971 | On time 9:02 Carlisle station (CAR) | 4h01 | 13:03 Aberdeen station (ABD) | 1 change | |
W34177+ L86913+ Bus from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Queen Street | 10:50 Carlisle station (CAR) | 4h26 | 15:16 Aberdeen station (ABD) | 2 changes | |
W34144+ C14635 | On time 11:02 Carlisle station (CAR) | 4h56 | 15:58 Aberdeen station (ABD) | 1 change | |
W34254+ L86915+ Bus from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Queen Street | 11:50 Carlisle station (CAR) | 4h18 | 16:08 Aberdeen station (ABD) | 2 changes |
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.
Trains from Carlisle to Aberdeen run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £25 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:57, the last at 19:53. The fastest train covers the 255 km distance in 4h 1m.
Distance 255 km |
Average train duration 3h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price £25 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 4h 1m |
First train 5:57 |
Last train 19:53 |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Aberdeen — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Aberdeen trip today.
Aberdeen’s main art gallery with Scottish and international works, a sculpture court and changing exhibitions in a restored civic building.
A maritime museum overlooking the harbour, covering shipbuilding, fishing and North Sea oil through models, objects and interactive displays.
A small museum dedicated to the Gordon Highlanders, with military artefacts, medals and stories from more than two centuries of service.
A central Victorian park with formal lawns, floral displays and a large glasshouse complex beside key shopping streets.
The university quarter with cobbled lanes, old collegiate buildings and a quieter atmosphere that contrasts with the modern city centre.
A broad city-centre avenue lined with granite buildings, shops, theatres and gardens, useful for orientating yourself in central Aberdeen.
A rich, creamy haddock soup with milk, onions and potatoes. It is a north-east Scottish classic closely associated with Aberdeen’s fishing heritage.
A traditional Scottish pudding made with oats, suet, onions and sheep’s offal. It is a national staple often served in Aberdeen pubs and homes.
Smoked haddock, usually naturally dyed pale yellow, prized around Aberdeen for its firm texture and deep smoky flavour from the north-east coast.
Well-known local fish bar serving excellent fish and chips and other takeaway favourites close to the beach.
Stylish city-centre restaurant serving modern Scottish cooking with strong local seafood and meat options in a relaxed, smart setting.
Popular seafood restaurant near the harbour, known for fresh fish, shellfish and classic Scottish plates in an unfussy setting.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels can be pricey in peak periods, but dining, buses and everyday costs are generally manageable for tourists.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis; cafés usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Aberdeen Airport -> Union Square, Aberdeen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Carlisle to Aberdeen by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Aberdeen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Carlisle to Aberdeen trains use the Carlisle to Aberdeen station pair, with some services arriving at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport). Use this guide to compare Carlisle and Aberdeen train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Carlisle has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Carlisle.
ATMs are available at Carlisle.
Ticket office support is available at Carlisle. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Carlisle: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Carlisle: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Carlisle: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform Lifts available to platforms via subway. Alternatively there is a ramped footbridge. Staff are available to assist on request, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Aberdeen has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Silver Darling, Moonfish Cafe
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Aberdeen. Information desks are located in the main concourse.
Luggage storage is available at Aberdeen. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Aberdeen: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Aberdeen: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Aberdeen: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Residence Inn Aberdeen, Hilton Aberdeen TECA, Jurys Inn Aberdeen.
Dyce (Aberdeen Airport) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Accessibility, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Wi-Fi is available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport).
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport): Parking.
Available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport): Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport): Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Fully Accessible - lifts and footbridge Blue Badge spaces: 3, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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