Preston to Bolton bus with National Express

Thu, Nov 06
+ Add return
National Express
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire
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National Express
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire
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Alsa
BlaBlaCar Bus
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest buses from Preston to Bolton

Showing times and prices for Nov 06

Cheapest price

$11

Average price

$12

Fastest journey

40 m

Average duration

1 h 35 m

Buses per day

3

Distance

28 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Preston to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Preston to Bolton will cost around $12 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $11.

Fast buses

Of the 3 buses that leave Preston for Bolton on Thu, Nov 06, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, Nov 06 the direct buses cover the 28 km distance in an average of 1 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 40 m .

On Thu, Nov 06 the slowest buses will take 2 h 10 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.

National ExpressRL152 · NX540
09:35AM1h55
Preston, Bus Station
11:30AMBolton, Astley Bridge
$111One-way
1 transfer
National ExpressRL152 · NX540
09:35AM2h10
Preston, Bus Station
11:45AMBolton, Interchange
$111One-way
1 transfer
National ExpressNX424
10:35PM0h40
Preston, Bus Station
11:15PMBolton, Interchange
$131One-way
0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Preston to Bolton

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Bolton 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 24m. 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 €8.

Distance: 17 miles (28 km)

Compare bus with

Bus
Most popular
Train

€11

Average price

€6

Average price

Cheapest

1h 17m

Average total duration

47m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

54m

Average total duration

Fastest

24m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.0kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

Northern Rail (3)

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Preston to Bolton Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
09:35AM
Arrival Time
11:30AM
Duration
1h55
Departure days
Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$11
Operator
National Express
Departure Time
10:35PM
Arrival Time
11:15PM
Duration
0h40
Departure days
Wed, Thu, Fri
Cheapest price
$13

Live departures

Preston to Bolton bus times

The table below shows live departures for Preston to Bolton buses for today, Wednesday, November 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at 8:51 PM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
national_expressNX42410:35 PM Preston, Bus Station
0h40
11:15 PM Bolton, Interchange0 transfersDirect
Thursday, November 6
national_expressRL152 · NX5409:35 AM Preston, Bus Station
1h55
11:30 AM Bolton, Astley Bridge1 transfer
national_expressRL152 · NX5409:35 AM Preston, Bus Station
2h10
11:45 AM Bolton, Interchange1 transfer

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Preston to Bolton 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.

Thu
Nov 06
Fri
Nov 07
Sat
Nov 08
Sun
Nov 09
Mon
Nov 10
Tue
Nov 11
Wed
Nov 12

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Preston to Bolton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from $2 (€2)
Distance
17 miles (28 km)
Average bus duration
47m
Cheapest ticket price
$10 (€8)
Buses per day
1
Direct buses
1
Fastest bus
40m
First bus
00:25
Last bus
23:54

Key Takeaways

Train Ticket Prices
  • Budget Options: Train tickets from Preston to Bolton start from as low as $10 (€8) if booked well in advance.
  • Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $13 (€11) depending on the train type and class.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from $2 (€2)

Bus providers: National Express, Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire from Preston to BoltonYou can travel by bus between Preston to Bolton with National Express, Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire for as low as $2 (€2). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Learn more about National Express
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
40m
Cheapest Price
$10 (€8)
National Express frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 35m
Cheapest Price
$4 (€3)
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire frequency
50 a day

FAQs: Bus from Preston to Bolton

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Bolton 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 Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from Preston to Bolton can start from as little as $11 (€9) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Preston to Bolton is $14 (€12); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The bus time between Preston and Bolton is on average 40 min   for the 17 mile (27 km) long journey, but the time it takes to go from Preston to Bolton by bus can vary depending on specific dates or if traveling on weekends and holidays.
The first bus from Preston to Bolton leaves at 12: 03AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last bus from Preston to Bolton leaves at 10: 20PM.
Yes, there is 1 direct bus a day from Preston to Bolton with Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.
For the journey from Preston to Bolton you can take a bus with National Express or Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire. Be sure to check out all possible bus providers that offer services from Preston to Bolton on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.
A day trip to Bolton from Preston is worth doing with a journey time of 40 min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from Preston to Bolton is February.
You have options as you can travel from Preston to Bolton 2 different ways: train or bus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Preston to Bolton:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Preston to Bolton for bus company National Express.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Preston to Bolton depends on the bus company:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Preston to Bolton, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.

    • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Preston to Bolton.
    Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Preston to Bolton:
    • National Express
      • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
    Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Preston to Bolton:
    • National Express
      • 10€ per additional bag.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the bus from Preston to Bolton.
    You can reserve your seat on the bus from Preston to Bolton with the following bus company: National Express
    Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Preston to Bolton with the following bus company: National Express.
    Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Preston to Bolton with the following bus company: National Express.

    popular bus stations

    Popular bus stations from Preston to Bolton

    Preston
    Bolton
    The major bus station for departures in Preston is Preston, Bus Station. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Preston, Bus Station for your trip from Preston to Bolton.
    Preston, Bus Station
    information

    More options for your journey from Preston to Bolton

    Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

    Compare all journeys between Preston and Bolton
    Tickets and more information for coaches to Preston
    Tickets and more information for coaches to Bolton
    HomeBusesBuses in United KingdomBus tickets to BoltonPreston to Bolton bus

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