Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe
Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone
Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards
is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets
Take the train from Carlisle to Nelson in 2 hours 15 minutes
If you want to travel from Carlisle to Nelson by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Carlisle to Nelson by train to take around 2 hours 44 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 2 hours 15 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 5 trains per day running on this route, which spans 78 miles (126 km). You'll have to make 1 change along the way on your journey to Nelson. You can travel on this route with either Avanti West Coast or TransPennine Express trains. Both train companies run modern comfortable services with plenty of room for luggage.
Train tickets from Carlisle to Nelson are usually cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day. Travelling during Off-Peak times or using a Railcard can also help you save money on train travel. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including money-saving tips, or check our timetable above where you can view live train times.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Carlisle to Nelson? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Carlisle to Nelson take?
The average journey time by train between Carlisle and Nelson is 2 hours and 44 minutes, with around 5 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Carlisle and Nelson by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Carlisle to Nelson is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Carlisle to Nelson?
No, there are no direct train services from Carlisle to Nelson. Travelling from Carlisle to Nelson by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
What time does the first train from Carlisle to Nelson leave?
The first train from Carlisle to Nelson leaves at 04:43. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Carlisle to Nelson leave?
The last train from Carlisle to Nelson leaves at 21:32. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Carlisle and Nelson by train?
Trains travelling from Carlisle to Nelson cover a distance of around 78 miles (126 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Nelson to Carlisle.
Cheap train tickets from Carlisle to Nelson
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Carlisle to Nelson is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.