Bus from Manchester City Centre to Carlisle
2 direct routes · about 180 min · first and last bus 15:10 (weekdays); night service 181 runs at 01:35.
Next buses to Carlisle as of 13:20
Scheduled times at the boarding stop in Manchester City Centre, from the operators' timetables — they update automatically. Open the stop for live tracking.
Direct routes
| Route | Operator | Journey time | Weekday journeys | Days | First | Last | Board at | Get off at | Calls at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 590 | National Express | ~180 min | 2 | Sat 2 · Sun 2 | 15:10 | 15:10 | Manchester Central Coach Station | Bus Station (Ca) (bay 1) | Penrith |
| 181 | National Express | ~195 min | 1 | Sat 1 · Sun 1 | 01:35 | 01:35 | Manchester Central Coach Station | Bus Station (Ca) (bay 1) | Preston, Lancaster & Tebay |
Times are for the first boarding point in Manchester City Centre on each route's weekday timetable — open the route for the full timetable, live map and every stop.
The same number runs elsewhere in the UK — see every 590 bus or 181 bus timetable.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Manchester City Centre to Carlisle?
2 routes run directly from Manchester City Centre to Carlisle: the 590 (National Express), the 181 (National Express). The most frequent is the 590, twice each weekday — board at Manchester Central Coach Station and get off at Bus Station (Ca) (bay 1), about 180 minutes.
How long does the bus take from Manchester City Centre to Carlisle?
Around 180 minutes on the 590, depending on time of day and traffic. It calls at Penrith on the way.
What time is the first and last bus from Manchester City Centre to Carlisle?
On weekdays the first and last direct bus leaves around 15:10 — and night service 181 runs at 01:35. Check the route timetables for weekends.
How much is the bus from Manchester City Centre to Carlisle?
This is a long-distance coach service, so the England £3 bus fare cap does not apply — nor do local bus tickets or passes. Coach operators set their own fares and price by demand, so booking further ahead is usually much cheaper than buying on the day.