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Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Carlisle to Manchester. Traveling by bus from Carlisle to Manchester usually takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 101 mi (163 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $2.12 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | National Express |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from Carlisle to Manchester?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Carlisle to Manchester that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, National Express usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 1 | 4h 49m | $12.84 |
| National Express | 2 | 3h 10m | $25.88 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 1 trips from Carlisle to Manchester, and usually makes the trip in about 4 hours and 49 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 101 miles from Carlisle to Manchester. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Carlisle to Manchester, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Carlisle to Manchester every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Carlisle to Manchester without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Carlisle to Manchester; ticket prices start at $32.61.
City Information
Manchester
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Most recognizable for its world-famous football team, Manchester is a modern, vibrant city with a diverse range of attractions that will appeal to explorers of all kinds. Often referred to as "The Capital of the North," Manchester is also known for being the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Visitors can relive this booming era by taking a trip to the Science and Industry Museum to see how this previously small town changed the world's ideas of industry and manufacturing forever. These days, Manchester is famous for its music and art scene, with it being the birthplace of bands like The Smiths and Oasis.
Art and music-lovers may want to visit Afflecks, a vast and eclectic emporium of all things indie and grunge, to purchase records, artwork, and memorabilia, among many other things. Manchester is also home to 15 parks and gardens, with Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens among the most popular. This park provides a beautiful setting for picnics and scenic walks, perfect for when you need an escape from the bustling city.
And if you really are only here for Man U, both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium are stops on our itinerary to visit every premier league stadium in England.
With three large train stations—Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria—Manchester is easily accessible via rail. National Express and Megabus coaches also allow access from all over the country. In addition, Manchester Airport houses three large terminals, which provide global entry to the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Carlisle?
Main departure station: Carlisle Bus Station
Carlisle has two bus stations with service to Manchester.
All bus stations in Carlisle:
Carlisle Bus Station
Carlisle (Halston Hotel)
Where does the bus arrive in Manchester?
Image credit: Mikey
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Manchester Coach Station
A short walk from the city center, Manchester Coach Station is located on Chorlton Street on the ground floor of a multistory parking garage. It has basic facilities including restrooms, food kiosks, and a small newsagent. The station's shops are open between 06:30 am and 7:00 pm each day. Neighboring streets offer several bars and other food options. As a major hub for National Express, this station is the departing point for trips to Birmingham, London, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. Local buses depart from streetside shelters outside the station.
All bus stations in Manchester:
Manchester Coach Station
Shudehill Interchange (Stand G)
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Manchester to Carlisle?
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