How can I travel from Carlisle to Edinburgh without a car?

Both buses and trains are available for traveling between these two cities. The two options are convenient and eco-friendly ways to reach Edinburgh. You can also use carpool services and share a car ride with other travelers.

How long does it take to get to Edinburgh from Carlisle by bus?

Traveling from Carlisle to Edinburgh takes around 5h on average, although the fastest bus will take 3h 25m, on average. This is the time it takes to travel the 74 miles (119 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

Carlisle and Edinburgh are 74 miles (119 km) apart.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

The majority of buses traveling from Carlisle to Edinburgh start their journey at Carlisle Bus Station and wind up at Bus Station. These are the most popular pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

What is the most affordable way to travel from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

The cheapest way to travel this route is by bus. With prices starting at $13, you won't find a cheaper way to get there.

How much are the bus tickets from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

The bus ticket costs $26 on average. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $13 and $32, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

What are the best sights and things to do in Edinburgh?

Once in Edinburgh, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Gilmerton Cove, Princes Street Gardens, Rosslyn Chapel, The Edinburgh Dungeon and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.

Carlisle to Edinburgh Bus Tickets

TodayMay 3

TomorrowMay 4

from $20

MonMay 5

from $16

TueMay 6

from $14

WedMay 7

from $24

ThuMay 8

from $24

FriMay 9

from $14

SatMay 10

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 4 at 6:00am
Departure city: Carlisle
Departure location: Carlisle (Halston Hotel)
Arrival time: May 4 at 11:00am
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: Bus Station
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 4 at 6:00am
Departure city: Carlisle
Departure location: Carlisle (Halston Hotel)
Arrival time: May 4 at 10:30am
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: 114233
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 30m
Departure time: May 4 at 4:50am
Departure city: Carlisle
Departure location: Carlisle Bus Station
Arrival time: May 4 at 10:25am
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: Bus Station
Operated by: National Express
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h 35m
Departure time: May 4 at 6:00am
Departure city: Carlisle
Departure location: Carlisle (Halston Hotel)
Arrival time: May 4 at 10:30am
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: 114233
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 30m
Departure time: May 4 at 4:50am
Departure city: Carlisle
Departure location: Carlisle Bus Station
Arrival time: May 4 at 10:25am
Destination city: Edinburgh
Destination location: Bus Station
Operated by: National Express
Vehicle: BusDuration: 5h 35m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Carlisle to Edinburgh.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$13 - $32	Average Duration5h	CO₂ emissions 3kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$16 - $167	Average Duration1h 21m	CO₂ emissions 3kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Fastest
Carpool	Average Price$14 - $14	Average Duration1h 30m	CO₂ emissions 5kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars

Busbud recommends taking the train from Carlisle to Edinburgh

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Edinburgh. The journey takes about 1 hour 21 minutes and with fares starting at just $16, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

10train per day

1h 21mAverage Duration

$16Cheapest ticket

3kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Carlisle to Edinburgh: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$26

Average bus trip duration5h

Number of daily buses2

Earliest bus departure4:50am

Distance74 miles (119 km)

Latest bus departure2:05pm

Compare bus companies

National Express

4/529,163 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.7

Wifi3.4

Based on 29163 reviews, the company was rated 4.2 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the wifi. National Express ticket prices on this trip start at $25.00

National Express Carlisle Edinburgh recent customer reviews

National express were fine , the trip home which was supposed to be by train was replaced by a bus

Nicholas R.

May 30, 2022

It was excellent

Smitha Mariyam S.

November 10, 2019

FlixBus

3.5/58,482 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

Infobus

4/5465 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4.7

Cleanliness4.8

Wifi3.7

GB bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, National Express, Sindbad, RegioJet, FlixTrain, KLR Bus

Carlisle to Edinburgh Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Carlisle to Edinburgh.

Bus service from Carlisle to Edinburgh will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Carlisle to Edinburgh, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Carlisle and Edinburgh?

Stops in Carlisle

A - Carlisle Bus Station

B - Court Square

Stops in Edinburgh

A - Bus Station

B - Edinburgh Airport

C - Haymarket

D - 23 The Mound

E - Princes Street

F - St. Andrew Square

Frequently asked questions for your trip Carlisle - Edinburgh

How can I travel from Carlisle to Edinburgh without a car?
How long does it take to get to Edinburgh from Carlisle by bus?
What is the travel distance from Carlisle to Edinburgh?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Carlisle to Edinburgh?
What is the most affordable way to travel from Carlisle to Edinburgh?
How much are the bus tickets from Carlisle to Edinburgh?
What are the best sights and things to do in Edinburgh?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/01

$25

05/02

$26

Today

$18

05/04

$20

05/05

$16

05/06

$14

05/07

$24

05/08

$25

The cheapest trip from Carlisle to Edinburgh was searched and found on May 6, 2025 with a price of $14

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Carlisle to Edinburgh, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $14 to $38 for a bus ticket from Carlisle to Edinburgh based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $14 which is on 2025-05-06.

Usually National Express will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Carlisle to Edinburgh but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Carlisle to Edinburgh, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Carlisle to Edinburgh that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Carlisle to Edinburgh while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

Will you be returning to Carlisle by bus?

Bus from Carlisle to Edinburgh

You can also go to Edinburgh by train

Train from Carlisle to Edinburgh

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travelers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 3 ways to go from Carlisle to Edinburgh.

Bus Carlisle to Edinburgh: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Carlisle to Edinburgh Bus

Where are the popular stops in Carlisle and Edinburgh?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Carlisle - Edinburgh

How can I travel from Carlisle to Edinburgh without a car?

How long does it take to get to Edinburgh from Carlisle by bus?

What is the travel distance from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

What is the most affordable way to travel from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

How much are the bus tickets from Carlisle to Edinburgh?

What are the best sights and things to do in Edinburgh?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Carlisle by bus?

You can also go to Edinburgh by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Carlisle

Buses Leaving from Carlisle

Buses Going to Carlisle

Popular Buses Connecting Edinburgh

Buses Leaving from Edinburgh

Buses Going to Edinburgh

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers

Popular international trips