What is the best way to travel from Edinburgh to Carlisle?
Looking for a trip? Check and compare all the available Buses, Trains and Carpool to Carlisle from Edinburgh. Look at different modes of transportation, search for the cheapest tickets, fastest rides and most popular stations, and see all 5 available companies to find your perfect trip!
What is the cheapest way to reach Carlisle from Edinburgh?
You can reach Carlisle with just £8 by taking a Bus from FlixBus, but there are many more cheap offers: we have selected the best ones for you for the next few days here.
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 14/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Cheapest Buses Sunday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 16/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £12 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
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Avanti West Coast1h 14m006:52EdinburghWaverley Train Station08:06CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from Avanti West Coast goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 06:52:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 08:06:00. 50 Economy ticket for £15 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 14m
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Avanti West Coast1h 14m014:52EdinburghWaverley Train Station16:06CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from Avanti West Coast goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 14:52:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 16:06:00. 50 Economy ticket for £18 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 14m
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TransPennine Express1h 19m008:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station09:31CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 08:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 09:31:00. 50 Economy ticket for £26 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 19m
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TransPennine Express1h 20m014:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station15:32CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 14:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 15:32:00. 50 Economy ticket for £26 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 20m
Cheapest Buses Monday
Cheapest Trains Monday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 16/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Cheapest Buses Tuesday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 18/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
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TransPennine Express1h 20m006:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station07:32CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 06:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 07:32:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 20m
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ScotRail2h 33m017:15EdinburghWaverley Train Station19:48CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from ScotRail goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 17:15:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 19:48:00. 50 Economy ticket for £12 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 33m
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ScotRail2h 28m010:59EdinburghWaverley Train Station13:27CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from ScotRail goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 10:59:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 13:27:00. 50 Economy ticket for £13 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 28m
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TransPennine Express1h 19m008:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station09:31CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 08:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 09:31:00. 50 Economy ticket for £13 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 19m
Cheapest Buses Wednesday
Cheapest Trains Wednesday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 18/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 19/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Cheapest Buses Thursday
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FlixBus4h 35m021:15EdinburghSt Andrew Square01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from St Andrew Square, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 21:15:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £8 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 35m
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FlixBus4h 30m021:20EdinburghPrinces Street01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Princes Street, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 21:20:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £8 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 30m
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FlixBus4h 25m021:25EdinburghHaymarket Station01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Haymarket Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 21:25:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £8 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 25m
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £15 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Cheapest Buses Friday
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FlixBus4h 25m021:25EdinburghHaymarket Station01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Haymarket Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 21:25:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £10 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 25m
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FlixBus4h 35m021:15EdinburghSt Andrew Square01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from St Andrew Square, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 21:15:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 35m
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FlixBus4h 30m021:20EdinburghPrinces Street01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Princes Street, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 21:20:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 30m
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £15 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Cheapest Buses Saturday
What are the fastest trips from Edinburgh to Carlisle?
You can get to Carlisle from Edinburgh in just 1h 14m with a Train from Avanti West Coast. But this is just one option, click on any of the offers below to compare it with the other available modes of transportations.
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 14/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Fastest Buses Sunday
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Avanti West Coast1h 14m006:52EdinburghWaverley Train Station08:06CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from Avanti West Coast goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 06:52:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 08:06:00. 50 Economy ticket for £15 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 14m
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Avanti West Coast1h 14m014:52EdinburghWaverley Train Station16:06CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from Avanti West Coast goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 14:52:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 16:06:00. 50 Economy ticket for £18 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 14m
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TransPennine Express1h 19m008:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station09:31CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 08:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 09:31:00. 50 Economy ticket for £26 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 19m
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TransPennine Express1h 20m014:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station15:32CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 14:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 15/12/2025 15:32:00. 50 Economy ticket for £26 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 20m
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 15/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 16/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £12 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Fastest Trains Monday
Fastest Buses Monday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 16/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Fastest Buses Tuesday
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Avanti West Coast1h 14m006:52EdinburghWaverley Train Station08:06CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from Avanti West Coast goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 06:52:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 08:06:00. 50 Economy ticket for £13 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 14m
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TransPennine Express1h 19m008:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station09:31CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 08:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 09:31:00. 50 Economy ticket for £13 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 19m
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TransPennine Express1h 20m006:12EdinburghWaverley Train Station07:32CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from TransPennine Express goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 06:12:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 07:32:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 1h 20m
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ScotRail2h 28m010:59EdinburghWaverley Train Station13:27CarlisleCentral Station0EconomyA Train from ScotRail goes from Waverley Train Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 10:59:00 to Central Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 17/12/2025 13:27:00. 50 Economy ticket for £13 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 28m
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 17/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 18/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Fastest Trains Wednesday
Fastest Buses Wednesday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 18/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 19/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
Fastest Buses Thursday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £15 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
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FlixBus4h 25m021:25EdinburghHaymarket Station01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Haymarket Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 21:25:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £8 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 25m
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FlixBus4h 30m021:20EdinburghPrinces Street01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Princes Street, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 21:20:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £8 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 30m
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FlixBus4h 35m021:15EdinburghSt Andrew Square01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from St Andrew Square, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 19/12/2025 21:15:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 20/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £8 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 35m
Fastest Buses Friday
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National Express2h 25m022:00EdinburghCentral bus station00:25CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from National Express goes from Central bus station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 22:00:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 00:25:00. 50 Economy ticket for £15 per person are available. Travel duration is 2h 25m
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FlixBus4h 25m021:25EdinburghHaymarket Station01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Haymarket Station, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 21:25:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £10 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 25m
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FlixBus4h 30m021:20EdinburghPrinces Street01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from Princes Street, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 21:20:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 30m
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FlixBus4h 35m021:15EdinburghSt Andrew Square01:50CarlisleCoach Station0EconomyA Bus from FlixBus goes from St Andrew Square, Edinburgh (United Kingdom) at 20/12/2025 21:15:00 to Coach Station, Carlisle (United Kingdom) arriving at 21/12/2025 01:50:00. 50 Economy ticket for £11 per person are available. Travel duration is 4h 35m
Fastest Buses Saturday
Here you will find all operators and timetables for a
Bus from Edinburgh to Carlisle
What are the most popular stations in Edinburgh and Carlisle?
In Edinburgh, you will usually depart from Waverley Train Station, Haymarket Coach Stop or Princes Street, while in Carlisle you will be arriving at MacDonalds Coach Station, Central Station or Coach Station, but there are many more stops to explore in both locations.
How do I decide? Some tips and tricks from our experience
Are you having trouble deciding on how to get to Carlisle from Edinburgh? With 3 connections between 5 Bus, Train and Carpool operators, it can be difficult to find the one ride that will make you happy. But we have some tips that can help you make the best informed decision. First of all, the best trip is always the one that meets all your needs, so make a list of all the things that you want from this journey and look for something that will satisfy all of them. Here we will go through some of the factors mostly commonly taken into consideration.
Look for the lowest price
Ticket price is usually the main concern: even if you can afford to pay more, why do it if there are cheaper options? Saving on the trip means that you can spend more on the vacation itself! Between Edinburgh and Carlisle, you can pay as low as £8 with a Bus from FlixBus.Travel duration
Time is also an important factor. An earlier departure may allow you to see a beautiful sunset or relax before an important event. And remember, time is money, so paying more for a shorter trip may be well worth it. For longer distances, flights are without doubt the best options, but be mindful of airport times and possible delays: a high-speed train may end up cheaper and faster! Here the quicker option is definitely the Train from Avanti West Coast: you will get to Carlisle in just 1h 14m.Comfort makes all the difference
You should always take into account what your personal travelling preferences are. Is one hand luggage enough, or are you trasporting more? Would you like to have a snack during the journey? Can you relax in a busy compartment, or do you need space for yourself? Even among the same mode of transportation, different companies will offer you varying levels of comfort and amenities. The main operators connecting Edinburgh and Carlisle are National Express, FlixBus and TransPennine Express, but be sure to check what they have to offer!Save money with deals, and always compare
One last tip? Even if you live in Edinburgh and Carlisle is your only destination, it may be wise to check the offers from and to nearby cities or, if you are flyng, nearby airports. Check the trips from Broomhouse or to Carlisle Lake Airport, and look at flights from Edinburgh Airport, and landing at Carlisle Lake Airport. Comparing different routes may allow you to find deals or promotions you were not aware of. Consider also signing up to CheckMyBus to see even more exclusive promotions!Which companies offer a trip from Edinburgh to Carlisle?
The most popular companies between Edinburgh and Carlisle, are National Express, FlixBus and TransPennine Express. Be sure to check their seat class offers and the amenities that they provide.
Bus companies: National Express and FlixBus
Train companies: TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast and ScotRail
All you need to know when you travel from Edinburgh to Carlisle
Check all information on comfort and services on all modes of transports from Edinburgh to Carlisle. See which seat classes are available, and what amenities are other advantages offered by the operators on your journey.
FAQs about the trip from Edinburgh to Carlisle
How can I reach Carlisle from Edinburgh?
Every day, there are on average 3 connections between Bus, Train and Carpool, with which you can get to Carlisle from Edinburgh.
How far is Carlisle from Edinburgh?
The distance between Edinburgh and Carlisle is 119.0 km.
What is the most ecofriendly mode of transport between Edinburgh and Carlisle?
Trains and buses are by far the greenest options, with trains surpassing buses on longer routes. Planes will always be the worst polluters, especially in shorter flights, were the emissions from the takeoff and landing are less offset by the distance.
On this particular route, a bus will emit, per person, a total of 3 kgs of CO2, a train 4 kgs, a car 20 kgs, and a flight 29 kgs.
What is the cheapest mode of transport from Edinburgh to Carlisle?
You can get to Carlisle with just £8 by taking a Bus from FlixBus.
What is the fastest way to get from Edinburgh to Carlisle?
While a plane is travelling fastest boarding and transfer to airport consumes a lot of time. Usually, high speed trains are better than flights if pure train travel time is below 4 hours. For this particular route, you can get to Carlisle in just 1h 14m with a Train from Avanti West Coast.
More routes to Edinburgh and to Carlisle
Looking for more options? Here you can see the most popular routes to Edinburgh and to Carlisle. Simply click on a connection, and you’ll find all the details about the route!
- Trips to Edinburgh
- Aberdeen to Edinburgh
- Bath to Edinburgh
- Birmingham to Edinburgh
- Bournemouth to Edinburgh
- Cambridge to Edinburgh
- Cardiff to Edinburgh
- Carlisle to Edinburgh
- Chester to Edinburgh
- Dundee to Edinburgh
- Glasgow to Edinburgh
- Inverness to Edinburgh
- Leeds to Edinburgh
- Liverpool to Edinburgh
- London Heathrow Airport to Edinburgh
- London to Edinburgh
- Manchester to Edinburgh
- Middlesbrough to Edinburgh
- Milton Keynes to Edinburgh
- Newcastle upon Tyne to Edinburgh
- Nottingham to Edinburgh
- Peterborough to Edinburgh
- Pitlochry to Edinburgh
- Southampton to Edinburgh
- Stirling to Edinburgh

