- 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
£12
Average price
£22
Fastest journey
1 h 8 m
Average duration
1 h 10 m
Trains per day
19
Distance
136 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 £22 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £12.
Of the 19 trains that leave Glasgow for Carlisle every day 19 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 136 km distance in an average of 1 h 10 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 8 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 12 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.
W34029
W33939
W34181
W34039
W34271
W33903
W34039
W33973
W33970
W34271Omio 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 £8. 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 £8, and a train costs an average of £12.
Distance: 136 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£17 Average Price | £10 Average Price Cheapest |
2h 17m Average total duration Fastest 1h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 28m Average total duration 1h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 trains for today, Wednesday 19 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W33970 | On time 9:36 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h12 | 10:48 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
C01362 | On time 9:40 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h14 | 10:54 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday 20 August | |||||
W33939 | 4:28 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h13 | 5:41 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W84893 | 4:52 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h30 | 6:22 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W34029 | 5:33 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h13 | 6:46 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W34271 | 5:48 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h12 | 7:00 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W34181 | 6:29 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h16 | 7:45 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
L87677 | 7:07 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 2h29 | 9:36 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W84899 | 7:11 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h22 | 8:33 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W34028 | 7:36 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h12 | 8:48 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W84884 | 7:45 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h37 | 9:22 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W33903 | 8:00 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h08 | 9:08 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W34039 | 8:38 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h09 | 9:47 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
W84903 | 9:09 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 1h24 | 10:33 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
L87688 | 9:13 Glasgow Central (GLC) | 2h29 | 11:42 Carlisle station (CAR) | 0 changesdirect | |
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.
Trains from Glasgow to Carlisle run on average 7 times per day, taking around 1h 47m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £12 but you can travel from only £8 by coach.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:22, the last at 22:56. The fastest train covers the 136 km distance in 1h 8m.
Distance 136 km |
Average train duration 1h 47m |
Cheapest ticket price £12 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 1h 8m |
First train 4:22 |
Last train 22:56 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 2 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 Railway Station -> Carlisle Bus Station, Carlisle
Trains from Glasgow to Carlisle are quite frequent with daily departures, with an average of 27 journeys a day during the week, and 15 to 25 journeys a day on the weekend. On average the train during takes 1h 07min to 2h 36min. You can find journeys at all hours, in the morning, the afternoon, and in the evening.
Trains from Glasgow to Carlisle depart every day with trains running from the early morning to late evening throughout the week. On weekdays there’s an average of 27 journeys a day, two in the early morning, nine in the morning, nine in the afternoon, and six in the evening. These journeys have an average duration of 1h 07min to 2h 35min. During the week, the first and last trains are at around 4:22 a.m. and 9:13 p.m. On Saturdays, there’s an average of 25 journeys a day, two journeys in the early morning, nine in the morning, nine in the afternoon, and five in the evening.
On Saturdays, the first and last trains depart at around 4:24 a.m. and 10:13 p.m. with an average duration of 1h 07min to 2h 35min. On Sundays, there are an average of 12 journeys a day, four in the morning, seven in the afternoon, and one in the evening. The first and last trains depart at around 9:34 a.m. and 5:34 p.m. with an average duration of 1h 11min to 2h 36min.
Trains to Carlisle from Glasgow take an average duration of 1h 07min to 2h 36min both during the day and in the evening. These are high-speed train journeys and are a direct service from Glasgow to Carlisle.
Departure train station: Glasgow Central Station. This station is centrally located in the heart of the Glasgow city centre and is the second busiest train station in Scotland. It’s accessible by train lines Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, ScotRail, Caledonian Sleeper, LNER, and First Transpennine Express. It’s also accessible by local bus lines, C1, 17, Glasgow Citysightseeing, 153. The station offers facilities such as toilets, baby changing rooms, showers, ticket machines, a travel centre, a ticket office, cash points, pay-phones, lost property/left luggage, trolleys, photo-booth, Wi-Fi, accessible parking, a car park, and bicycle storage.
Arrival train station: Carlisle Railway Station. This station is centrally located in the heart of the city centre and is assessable by train lines, Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, Northern, Caledonian Sleeper, and First Transpennine Express. It’s also accessible by bus lines, 60/A, 61/A/B, 62/A, 64A, 67, 69, 74, 75, 76, 79, 104, 127A, 179, 382, 400, and X95. The station provides facilities such as Bicycle parking, cycle hire, a car park, accessible parking, car hire, cash points, pay-phones, postal services, retail shops, toilets, baby changing rooms, trolleys, lost property, a ticket office, ticket machines, and induction loops.
Carlisle Ribblehead Train. Source: Shutterstock
There are three train companies that provide train services from Glasgow to Carlisle, Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, and First Transpennine Express. Journeys with Avanti Express are the most frequent, with up to 16 journeys a day on weekdays, and from nine to 15 on the weekends. Travel with ScotRail is steady with six journeys available every day except on Sundays which has one, however journeys along this line are generally slower. Travel with First Transpennine Express is also stable, with six journeys a day except for Sundays which has two train services. All trains depart from Glasgow Central Station and arrive in Carlisle Station.
Avanti West Coast trains to Carlisle from Glasgow are very frequent and available every day of the week. These journeys are all direct and travel with high-speed trains. AWC has an average of 16 journeys on weekdays, and from nine to 15 on weekends. During the week, the journeys have an average duration of 1h 07min to 1h 17min and depart once an hour. On Saturdays, the duration is an average of 1h 07min to 1h 15min and depart once an hour. On Sundays, the average duration is between 1h 11min to 1h 15min, and also depart once an hour.
ScotRail trains provide regular daily journeys to Carlisle from Glasgow every day of the week. The journeys are a direct service with low-speed trains. There is an average of six journeys every day, except on Sundays which offers a single journey. These journeys have a frequency of two journeys in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two in the evening. The Sunday train is only available in the afternoon. The average duration of weekday trains is 2h 26min to 2h 33min, on Saturdays, it’s 2h 23min to 2h 35min, and on Sunday it’s around 2h 36min.
First Transpennine Express trains provide regular trains every day from Glasgow to Carlisle. The journeys are a direct service with high-speed trains. There are an average of five journeys a day, every day except Sunday which has two journeys. These journeys have a frequency of one in the early morning, one in the morning, two in the afternoon, and one in the evening. During the week the average duration is from 1h 22min to 1h 52min, on Saturdays, it’s 1h 21min to 1h 49 min and on Sundays, it’s 1h 16min to 1h 23min.
Carlisle Locomotive Train. Source: Shutterstock
Trains with Avanti West Coach offer two types of classes for this journey, Standard and First Class, and four types of fares, Off-Peak Single, Advance Single, Anytime Single, and Mixed Tickets. Off-Peak entails travel outside of peak hours, Advanced Single allows you to book ahead of time and save money but are non-refundable, and Anytime Single are fully flexible and allow passage for any time. Avanti West Coach journeys allow seat selection, mobile tickets and physical tickets, and you can bring luggage that doesn’t exceed the dimensions 30 x 70 x 90cm. You can book assisted travel for those with reduced mobility, and you are welcome to bring both your pet and your bicycle for a small charge.
Trains with First Transpennine Express offer two classes and the same four fare types as Avanti Express. These are Standard and First Class, and Advance Single, which is valid for any train over two days, beginning on the date of your journey. There are both mobile and standard physical tickets and assisted travel options if needed. For luggage, you can bring any with no restrictions, two pets per person, and you can book a bicycle space online.
Trains with ScotRail have one standard class and three fares, Off-Peak, Anytime Day Single, and Anytime Single. Anytime /Day Single tickets allow the freedom of travel during any time of the day, however, you must travel at the date that has been booked. You can bring three pieces of luggage, two pets per person, and bicycles by reserving a space. Assisted travel can also be booked if needed.
You can save money on your train tickets in a couple of different ways. A great way to save money is by being flexible. This entails flexibility with both your dates and your journey times. If you book ahead of time, you’re more likely to find cheaper tickets. This is the same with booking journeys for during the week, rather than on the weekend, and booking journeys during the early morning or late evening, rather than during the day. If you book outside of peak travel hours, you’re more likely to find economical travel tickets.
If your route has options for a change in your journey, this can also provide you with a cheaper rate than train journeys with direct routes. All of these options are great ways to find economic solutions to big-priced train fares and can be applied on your train journey from Glasgow to Carlisle, and also with the rest of the United Kingdom.
Carlisle is a border city located next to the Scottish border, in the county of Cumbria, in the North West of England. It’s an ancient city that still has remains of ancient Roman history and archeology. There are many landmarks to visit in Carlisle such as the Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle Castle, and Hadrian’s Wall.
There are also interesting museums in Carlisle such as Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, the Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, A World in Miniature Museum, Scaleby Hill Vintage motorbike museum, and the Solway Aviation Museum. You can also explore some nature in Carlisle by visiting the Talkin Tarn Park, and the Watchtree Nature Reserve. You can find travel information for Carlisle here.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Glasgow to Carlisle 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 Carlisle, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Glasgow to Carlisle trains use the Glasgow Central to Carlisle station pair. Use this guide to compare Glasgow and Carlisle train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Glasgow Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Krispy Kreme, Gordon St Coffee, Starbucks, Upper Crust, The Beer House, Patisserie Valerie, Alston Bar & Beef
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are there is an ATM machine located on the concourse.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:30 - 21:30, Sun: 09:15 - 21:30. Information desks are there is a customer service center in the station located next to the ticket office.
Luggage storage is luggage storage facilities are located near Platform 1 operated by Excess Baggage Co. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Glasgow Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Glasgow Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Glasgow Central: There is step-free access in the whole station via elevators and ramps for train access. There are also escalators.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Indigo Glasgow, Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, voco Grand Central Glasgow.
Glasgow Queen Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Glasgow Queen Street.
Wi-Fi is available at Glasgow Queen Street.
Ticket office support is available at Glasgow Queen Street. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, 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, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Glasgow Queen Street: Parking, WC.
Available at Glasgow Queen Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Glasgow Queen Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Information Desk on Concourse, 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: No.
Exhibition Centre is 1 km from Glasgow city centre. Public transport options include:
Exhibition Centre has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Exhibition Centre.
Wi-Fi is available at Exhibition Centre.
Ticket office support is available at Exhibition Centre. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, 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 Exhibition Centre: Parking, WC.
Available at Exhibition Centre: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exhibition Centre: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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.
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