The 685 bus goes from Newcastle to Carlisle and again runs hourly. It takes about 2hrs 10 mins. It is a joint service between Arriva and Stagecoach.

You can find the route details here
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/

Newcastle - Hexham - Haltwhistle - Carlisle (operated by Stagecoach North West/Arriva - please note Megarider, Dayriders and Uniriders are not valid on this service)

We have been asked to include the following information.

the north west explorer tickets are valid on the above service. They are issued on the stagecoach buses only but are accepted on the arriva buses on this route. I believe the same applies in reverse regarding arrivas day tickets I am not 100% sure as I have never used the arriva tickets. I think north east explorer tickets are valid as far as Hexham. You will need to check with the bus companies for some of this info but I can guarantee you that the info regarding the north west exporer is accurate because I used to use it before the new national bus pass came about.

The information below has come from a driver 

Carlisle Megariders are accepted on ARRIVA buses as far as Scotby Road Ends, Megarider+ as far as Brampton, and Gold Riders are accepted all the way to Newcastle. Megariders issued by Stagecoach NorthEast (Newcastle) are not valid anywhere on the route.

Stagecoach North West ONE day explorer tickets are issued on ARRIVA (the 4 day and weekly one's are not!) I have a feeling this information came about as a result of a new manager at Carlisle deciding that they would no longer accept ARRIVA issued explorers about 3 years ago, (the issue was quickly resolved at director level!)

While STAGECOACH do not issue ARRIVA day tickets, they do accept them, as ARRIVA accept but don't issue, the Megarider ticket range as described previously

The North East Explorer is issued by both companies, and is valid between all points on services 85/185/685 Newcastle - Hexham - Haltwhistle - Brampton - Carlisle

subject to time conditions (after 9am mon-fri, and all day Sat, Sun, Bank Hols and throughout June, July ,August and 25Dec - 1st Jan inc)

also, it may be worth pointing out that the 10:45 685 departure ex Newcastle get's very busy, and it is not unusual for demand to exceed supply, in particular on a tuesday, which is market day in Hexham.