The cheapest and fastest trains from Carlisle to Preston
Cheapest price
$20
Average price
$20
Fastest journey
1 h 7 m
Average duration
1 h 10 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
126 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Carlisle to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Carlisle to Preston will cost around $20 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $20.
Of the 3 trains that leave Carlisle for Preston on Sat, Jun 20, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct trains cover the 126 km distance in an average of 1 h 10 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 7 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest trains will take 1 h 12 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.
9:49 AM1h07Carlisle10:56 AMPreston$201One-way0 transfers
7:03 AM1h12Carlisle8:15 AMPreston$201One-way0 transfers
7:05 AM1h11Carlisle8:16 AMPreston$211One-way0 transfers
9:49 AM1h07Carlisle10:56 AMPreston$201One-way0 transfers
7:05 AM1h11Carlisle8:16 AMPreston$211One-way0 transfers
7:03 AM1h12Carlisle8:15 AMPreston$201One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Carlisle to Preston
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Carlisle to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 13m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $16, and a bus costs an average of $13.
Distance: 78 miles (126 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$24 Average price Cheapest | $32 Average price | $32 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 43m Average total duration Fastest 1h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration 2h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 Carlisle to Preston:
A train is $8 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Carlisle to Preston costing on average $32 (€26).
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 18m.
The journey is about 29m faster (1h 13m by train vs 1h 42m by car) and roughly $8 (€7) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($24 (€19) vs $32 (€26)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Carlisle to Preston train times
The table below shows live departures for Carlisle to Preston trains for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W34265 | On time 8:08 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h08 | 9:16 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84899 | Delayed 7:44 AM 8:35 AMCarlisle station (CAR) | 1h12 | 8:51 AM 8:51 AMPreston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34028 | Delayed 7:58 AM 8:49 AMCarlisle station (CAR) | 1h08 | 9:01 AM 9:01 AMPreston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33903 | On time 9:10 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h05 | 10:15 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84884 | On time 9:25 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h15 | 10:40 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84901 | On time 9:32 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h12 | 10:44 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34039 | On time 9:48 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h08 | 10:56 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33933 | On time 10:07 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h08 | 11:15 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84903 | On time 10:35 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h14 | 11:49 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C00578 | On time 10:44 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h10 | 11:54 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33970 | On time 10:50 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h08 | 11:58 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C01362 | On time 10:59 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h15 | 12:14 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84907 | On time 11:33 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h12 | 12:45 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W33973 | On time 11:48 AM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h08 | 12:56 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W34060 | On time 12:06 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h09 | 1:15 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84908 | On time 12:33 PM Carlisle station (CAR) | 1h13 | 1:46 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Carlisle to Preston by bus or train
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.
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Why should you book Carlisle to Preston trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Avanti West Coast?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Avanti West Coast, but also compare tickets for the likes of Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper or TransPennine Express to find the best option for your trip from Carlisle to Preston.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Avanti West Coast with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Carlisle to Preston.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper or TransPennine Express to find the best option for your trip from Carlisle to Preston.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Carlisle to Preston.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Carlisle to Preston
Trains from Carlisle to Preston run on average 7 times per day, taking around 1h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) but you can travel from only $13 (€11) by bus.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:15, the last at 23:15. The fastest train covers the 78 miles (126 km) distance in 1h 5m.
Distance 78 miles (126 km) |
Average train duration 1h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 6 |
Fastest train 1h 5m |
First train 4:15 AM |
Last train 11:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
Train companies: Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express from Carlisle to Preston trainsAvanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express trains will get you between Carlisle and Preston from $13 (€11). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
Transpennine Express
Caledonian Sleeper
TransPennine Express
FAQs: Trains from Carlisle to Preston
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Carlisle to Preston 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 Preston, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Carlisle to Preston
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:00 - 20:00 Saturday 05:00 - 20:00 Sunday 08:30 - 20:00
- Type of shops available: Newsagent
- Car Park: Station Car Park 2
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform Lifts available to platforms via subway. Alternatively there is a ramped footbridge. Staff are available to assist on request
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- 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 National key toilets are located on Platforms 4/6; these toilets are operated by a radar key
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 8
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Rail replacement coach services can be found at the front of the station
- 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
Most popular train connections from Carlisle
More options for your journey from Carlisle to Preston
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