The cheapest and fastest buses from Manchester to Carlisle
Cheapest price
€31
Average price
€38
Fastest journey
3 h
Average duration
5 h 18 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
164 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Manchester to Carlisle is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Carlisle will cost around €38 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €31.
Of the 3 buses that leave Manchester for Carlisle on Sun, Nov 16, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Nov 16 the direct buses cover the 164 km distance in an average of 5 h 18 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h .
On Sun, Nov 16 the slowest buses will take 9 h 40 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.
NX181
NX590
FlixBus · FlixBus
NX590
NX181
FlixBus · FlixBusTravel Information
Compare train and bus for Manchester to Carlisle
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Carlisle among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €10. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 55m. 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 bus costs an average of €10, and a train costs an average of €13.
Distance: 164 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€31 Average price Cheapest | €44 Average price |
3h 29m Average total duration 2h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 25m Average total duration Fastest 1h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Manchester to Carlisle bus times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Carlisle buses for tomorrow, Sunday, November 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX181 | On time 1:35 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 3h15 | 4:50 AM Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX590 | 3:10 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 3h00 | 6:10 PM Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:10 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 9h40 | 1:50 AM Carlisle | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Carlisle by train or bus
Compare train and bus 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.
Nov 16
Nov 17
Nov 18
Nov 19
Nov 20
Nov 21
Nov 22
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Manchester to Carlisle
Buses from Manchester to Carlisle run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 59m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €10 if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 164 km distance in 3h 0m.
Distance 164 km |
Average bus duration 2h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price €10 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 3h 0m |
First bus 00:45 |
Last bus 23:50 |
Bus providers: National Express, Megabus, FlixBus from Manchester to CarlisleYou can travel by bus between Manchester to Carlisle with National Express, Megabus, FlixBus for as low as €10. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
FAQs: Bus from Manchester to Carlisle
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Carlisle by bus. 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 bus, 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 Manchester, you have various coach station options to start your trip from including Manchester, Coach Station, Manchester, Shudehill Interchange and Manchester, Airport. When arriving in Carlisle, you can end your trip in coach stations like Carlisle, Carlisle, Bus Station (Lonsdale Street) and Carlisle, Parkhouse Road (Argos).
Passengers board the coach most frequently from Manchester, Coach Station, which is located around 0.9 miles (1.5 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 Manchester to Carlisle, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Manchester to Carlisle
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 50, 192, 201, 203, 205, 219, 255, 256 Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metro: Piccadilly Gardens
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Burger King (in the station)
- Giraffe (in the station).
- Available outside the terminal, with several companies offering services.
- Elevators, ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 43, 103 Train: Manchester Airport
- The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible
Most popular bus connections from Manchester
More options for your journey from Manchester to Carlisle
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

