Europe > United Kingdom > Carlisle (CAX)
The Car or no Car advice for Carlisle can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Carlisle ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Carlisle ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Carlisle?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
✈️ About the airport — attempts, closures, and reality
Carlisle Lake District Airport has made several attempts to sustain commercial flights, but none of them have lasted. Over the years, regional airlines have tried various routes, yet services have repeatedly closed due to low demand or operational constraints. At present, there are no active scheduled flights, so flying directly into Carlisle and collecting a rental car isn’t realistic.
If air travel is essential, the closest sensible airport for car-hire pick-up is Newcastle. It offers major rental brands, plus steady flight schedules. Alternatively, if you want to explore the Lakes without driving, Manchester Airport is a strong option. Direct trains from there run to Oxenholme and Windermere, and they continue north toward Penrith and Carlisle. So flying into Manchester, hopping on the train, and connecting to local buses works smoothly.
🚆 Rail first, car only if you need it
The rail links are what make Carlisle special. Fast, frequent trains run from London and the Midlands, and no changes are necessary. If your plan is to explore Keswick, Ullswater, Ambleside, Grasmere, or Windermere, you can do almost all of it using a mix of bus services and boats. In fact, the Lake District has one of the UK’s best integrated public-transport networks for walkers: lakeside steamers, open-top buses, and connections timed to meet trains.
Car hire still remains possible, though not quite as convenient as it once was. The Hertz office that used to sit inside Carlisle railway station does not operate anymore. Even so, you can still pick up vehicles elsewhere in the city. And if you prefer to stay on the West Coast Main Line and rent nearer the fells, you will find options at Lancaster, Kendal (for Oxenholme), Penrith, and other Lake District hubs. That flexibility makes it easy to choose where your driving portion begins.
🚗 When a car adds real value
If your plans include remote valleys, mountain passes, farm stays, or trailheads not served by buses, hiring a car starts to make sense. It opens up places like Buttermere, Wasdale, Langdale, Honister, or the wild moorland between Cumbria and Northumbria. And if you’re continuing into the Borders or tracing Hadrian’s Wall from end to end, the extra freedom helps enormously.
However, if you’re mostly heading for Windermere cruises, scenic railway rides, lakeshore walks, and classic towns, sticking with trains and buses feels simpler.
🎯 Conclusion – should you rent a car in Carlisle?
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🚶♀️ No car needed for city visits, Lake District towns, buses and boats, or rail-based trips from Manchester, London or the Midlands.
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❔ Consider renting a car in Carlisle only if you want deep-rural routes, mountain passes, or less-served corners where public transport thins.
