- Must visit
Museum of Liverpool
Flagship city museum on the waterfront covering Liverpool’s social history, port heritage, music, and global influence.
Cheapest price
$23
Average price
$23
Fastest journey
3 h 15 m
Average duration
4 h 26 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
43 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Preston to Liverpool is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Liverpool will cost around $23 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $23.
It's difficult to get from Preston to Liverpool without transferring at least once.
NX424 · NX170
NX424 · NX170
NX181 · NX170
NX181 · NX421
NX424 · NX170
NX424 · NX170
NX181 · NX421
NX181 · NX170Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Liverpool among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 57m. 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 $9, and a bus costs an average of $14.
Distance: 26 miles (43 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$21 Average price | $13 Average price Cheapest | $11 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 25m Average total duration 1h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 27m Average total duration Fastest 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Preston to Liverpool:
A train is $8 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Preston to Liverpool costing on average $21 (€17).
Other travel options to Liverpool take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 55m.
You'll arrive about -1h -41m sooner (1h 55m by bus vs 1h 14m by car) and save roughly $-10.23 (€-8.38) compared to fuel and tolls ($21 (€17) vs $11 (€9)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Megabus, FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 01:25AM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 02:25AM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $21 |
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Liverpool buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX424 · NX170 | On time 10:35 PM Preston, Bus Station | 3h25 | 2:00 AM Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 1 transfer | |
NX424 · NX170 | On time 10:35 PM Preston, Bus Station | 3h15 | 1:50 AM Liverpool, University | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
NX181 · NX170 | 3:20 AM Preston, Bus Station | 5h50 | 9:10 AM Liverpool, University | 1 transfer | |
NX181 · NX421 | On time 3:20 AM Preston, Bus Station | 5h15 | 8:35 AM Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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.
Buses from Preston to Liverpool run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $14 (€12) but you can travel from only $9 (€7) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 01:55, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 26 miles (43 km) distance in 3h 0m.
Distance 26 miles (43 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $14 (€12) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 3h 0m |
First bus 1:55 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 49 days |
Discover the best of Liverpool — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Liverpool trip today.
Flagship city museum on the waterfront covering Liverpool’s social history, port heritage, music, and global influence.
Renowned public gallery with European old masters, Victorian works, and strong collections of painting, sculpture, and decorative art.
Leading modern and contemporary art gallery known for major exhibitions and national collection displays at the Royal Albert Dock.
Iconic waterfront promenade with Mersey views, the Three Graces, and some of the city’s best photo spots.
Scenic walking route along the Mersey connecting major sights, museums, and open views across the river.
Creative district filled with street art, warehouses, music venues, and photogenic corners popular with younger visitors.
Liverpool’s signature stew made with slow-cooked beef or lamb, potatoes, carrots and onions. It is the city’s best-known traditional dish and gave Liverpudlians the nickname Scousers.
A meat-free version of Scouse made with potatoes, carrots, onions and sometimes pearl barley or lentils. It reflects the city’s working-class food traditions.
A traditional Liverpool bread pudding made from leftover bread, dried fruit, spices and tea, usually served with custard. It is a nostalgic local dessert found in cafés and bakeries.
Refined fine-dining restaurant in a grand Victorian setting, known for modern British tasting menus and polished service.
Well-known food hall in the Baltic Triangle with a lively atmosphere and a range of street-food traders, bars and communal seating.
Upscale restaurant with city views, serving modern British dishes, seafood and afternoon tea in a stylish atmosphere.
Moderate by UK standards. Pubs, cafés, and transport are fairly priced, while hotels and waterfront dining cost more on weekends and during football matches.
Service charge may be added in restaurants; if not, tip 10-12.5% for good service. No tip needed for pubs at the bar. Round up taxi fares or add about 10%.
Official public transport app
Liverpool One Bus Station, Liverpool -> Liverpool Lime Street Station, Liverpool
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Liverpool 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 Liverpool, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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