The cheapest and fastest buses from Manchester to Preston
Cheapest price
€9
Average price
€10
Fastest journey
50 m
Average duration
57 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
45 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Manchester to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Preston will cost around €10 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €9.
Of the 3 buses that leave Manchester for Preston on Sun, Dec 21, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Dec 21 the direct buses cover the 45 km distance in an average of 57 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 50 m .
On Sun, Dec 21 the slowest buses will take 1 h and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
NX424
NX181
NX181
FlixBus
NX424Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Manchester to Preston
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 41m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €5, and a bus costs an average of €6.
Distance: 45 km
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€10 Average price | €10 Average price Cheapest |
1h 42m Average total duration 1h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 11m Average total duration Fastest 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Manchester to Preston bus times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Preston buses for today, Saturday, December 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX424 | 6:10 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 1h00 | 7:10 AM Preston, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:10 PM Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 1h00 | 5:10 PM Preston, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX540 · RL152 | 6:15 PM Manchester, Coach Station | 2h35 | 8:50 PM Preston, Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
| Sunday, December 21 | |||||
NX181 | 1:35 AM Manchester, Coach Station | 0h50 | 2:25 AM Preston, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to Preston by train or bus
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29
Dec 30
Dec 31
Jan 01
Jan 02
Jan 03
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Manchester to Preston
Buses from Manchester to Preston run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 12m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €6 but you can travel from only €5 by train.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:03, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 45 km distance in 1h 0m.
Distance 45 km |
Average bus duration 1h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price €6 |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 1h 0m |
First bus 00:03 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: Megabus, National Express, FlixBus from Manchester to PrestonYou can travel by bus between Manchester to Preston with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus for as low as €5. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
FAQs: Bus from Manchester to Preston
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Preston by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Preston, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Passengers board the coach most frequently from Manchester, Coach Station, which is located around 0.9 miles (1.5 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Preston, Bus Station, located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the city centre.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Manchester to Preston, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Manchester to Preston
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 50, 192, 201, 203, 205, 219, 255, 256 Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metro: Piccadilly Gardens
- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Burger King (in the station)
- Giraffe (in the station).
- Available outside the terminal, with several companies offering services.
- Elevators, ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 43, 103 Train: Manchester Airport
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
More options for your journey from Manchester to Preston
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


