4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest trains from Preston to Manchester
Cheapest price
€10
Average price
€13
Fastest journey
32 m
Average duration
42 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
45 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Manchester will cost around €13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €10.
Of the 6 trains that leave Preston for Manchester on Wed, Dec 17, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Dec 17 the direct trains cover the 45 km distance in an average of 42 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 32 m .
On Wed, Dec 17 the slowest trains will take 48 m 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.
L10911L07197L10921L07210
L36722L36722L07197L07210L10911L10921
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Preston to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €2. 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 €2, and a bus costs an average of €6.
Distance: 45 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€9 Average price Cheapest | €10 Average price |
1h 11m Average total duration Fastest 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 48m Average total duration 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Preston to Manchester train times
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Manchester trains for today, Tuesday, December 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L07210 | On time 8:11 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h40 | 8:51 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Y25253 | On time 8:20 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h49 | 9:09 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| L36722 | On time 8:50 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h32 | 9:22 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| L10911 | On time 8:51 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h48 | 9:39 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| L07197 | On time 9:11 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h40 | 9:51 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| L10921 | On time 9:21 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h48 | 10:09 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Preston to Manchester 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 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
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Dec 29
Dec 30
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Preston to Manchester?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Preston to Manchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Preston to Manchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €2 if you book in advance.
There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:03, the last at 23:51. The fastest train covers the 45 km distance in 32m.
Distance 45 km |
Average train duration 41m |
Cheapest ticket price €2 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 7 |
Fastest train 32m |
First train 00:03 |
Last train 23:51 |
Train companies: Northern Rail (3), TransPennine Express, first_transpennine_express, Avanti West Coast from Preston to Manchester trainsNorthern Rail (3), TransPennine Express, first_transpennine_express, Avanti West Coast trains will get you between Preston and Manchester from €2. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Northern Rail (3)
TransPennine Express
Avanti West Coast
first_transpennine_express
Trains from Preston to Manchester
There are regular trains from Preston to Manchester throughout the day, starting at just after 04.00 a.m. After 7:00 a.m, trains run approximately every 10-25 minutes, until the evening when the last service leaves at around 23:30 p.m. Journey times vary, but most last between 40 minutes to 1 hour. Services generally run directly, with no changeovers. Train services between Preston and Manchester are provided by Northern Rail and TransPennine Express.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Preston to Manchester?
Departure Station: Preston station is located in the south-east of the town centre. It is a couple of minutes' walk from the main high street, and can be reached easily by public transport.
Arrival Station: Trains from Preston arrive at Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate, and Manchester Oxford Road. All are accessible on foot or public transport. Piccadilly and Deansgate are located in the city centre, with Piccadilly in the Northern Quarter, and Deansgate to the south-west in Spinningfields. The Oxford Road station is located near the University of Manchester, 20 minutes outside of the centre.
Taking the Train from Preston
Preston's grand Victorian station is located in the centre of town, right next to the Fishergate Shopping Centre. There is a bus stop just outside the main station entrance. Those coming from outside Preston can use the Park and Ride service, catching bus Z1 to reach the station. Buses 87, 89 and X2 also stop at the station, providing excellent access from all parts of town. A taxi rank can also be found outside the station entrance.
Getting into Manchester by Train
Manchester is the north-west's entertainment hub - with world-class sports attractions, theatre and musical events along with museums and galleries to enjoy. Most trains from Preston to Manchester will arrive at the city's Piccadilly Station. From there, it's a short walk to the centre of town, and trams can easily take visitors to nearby attractions like Old Trafford Football Ground. Those arriving at Manchester Victoria can use the Metrolink tram system to reach both the centre and outlying suburbs like Altrincham. For very early and late arrivals, taxis are easy to book, and night buses operate across the city.
FAQs: Trains from Preston to Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Manchester by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Passengers board the train most frequently from Preston, which is located around 1.4 miles (2.2 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Manchester Piccadilly, located 0.5 miles (766 m) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Preston to Manchester
WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts
- 5:30 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Friday
- 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24 hours, located adjacent to the station with access from Butler Street.
- Rise
- The Olive Tree Brasserie
- Turtle Bay
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- £0.30
- Holiday Inn Express Preston - South
- Delta Hotels Preston
- Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-3 for long-distance services
- Hall 2: platforms 4-6 for regional and local services
- Bus: Several lines available
- Train: Northern, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express services
Wifi
ShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCTicket OfficeBike ParkingInformation Desk- Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30 - 22:30
- Type of shops available: Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge.
- Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts. The Ladies toilets are located at the end of Platform 3. The Gents toilets are located at the end of Platform 2. The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The National key toilets are located at platform level, behind the lifts, at the end of Platform 2; these toilets are operated by a radar key.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: No cycle storage
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail Replacement bus services depart from stands L & M of the adjacent Bus Station which is situated close to the ticket office.
WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelTicket OfficeBike Parking
Bike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi.
- Operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Carluccio’s
- Hotel Chocolat
- Starbucks
- The Pasty Shop
- Costa Coffee
- Pret a Manger
- Upper Crust
- McDonald's
- & more
- There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly
- Premier Inn Manchester City
- Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly
- Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30
- Sun: 07:00 - 22:30
- Located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
- Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 147
- Train lines: Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Transport for Wales
ParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar Rental- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:30 - 22:40 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Toilets Location: There will be no toilet provision at Manchester Oxford Road from 15th July to 25th July to allow for existing toilets to be refurbished
- Baby changing facilities: No
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: on Platform 4/5
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Pick Up / Drop Off at the bus stops on Whitworth St West (200 yards from station) (station side for Liverpool, opposite side for Piccadilly)
Most popular train connections from Preston
More options for your journey from Preston to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Manchester and Preston
Most popular train connections to Manchester
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