The cheapest and fastest trains from Edinburgh to Preston
Cheapest price
$36
Average price
$63
Fastest journey
2 h 23 m
Average duration
3 h 19 m
Trains per day
4
Distance
245 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Preston will cost around $63 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $36.
Of the 4 trains that leave Edinburgh for Preston on Tue, May 26, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct trains cover the 245 km distance in an average of 3 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 23 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 4 h 38 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.
8:52 AM2h23Edinburgh11:15 AMPreston$361One-way0 transfers
9:15 AM3h41Edinburgh12:56 PMPreston$391One-way0 transfers
5:12 PM2h33Edinburgh7:45 PMPreston$771One-way0 transfers
9:00 AM4h38Edinburgh1:38 PMPreston$1001One-way0 transfers
8:52 AM2h23Edinburgh11:15 AMPreston$361One-way0 transfers
5:12 PM2h33Edinburgh7:45 PMPreston$771One-way0 transfers
9:15 AM3h41Edinburgh12:56 PMPreston$391One-way0 transfers
9:00 AM4h38Edinburgh1:38 PMPreston$1001One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Edinburgh to Preston
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a flight costs an average of $131.
Distance: 152 miles (245 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$60 Average price | $38 Average price Cheapest | $310 Average price | $109 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 41m Average total duration Fastest 3h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration 4h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 8m Average total duration 5h 8m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 46m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Edinburgh to Preston:
A bus is $22 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Preston costing on average $60 (€48).
A bus is $272 (€219) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Preston costing on average $310 (€250).
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 58m.
Flight takes on average 5h 8m.
The journey is about 35m faster (3h 11m by train vs 3h 46m by car) and roughly $49 (€40) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($60 (€48) vs $109 (€88)). 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
Edinburgh to Preston train times
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Preston trains for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:12 PM Edinburgh | 2h34 | 4:46 PM Preston | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:11 PM Edinburgh | 2h35 | 6:46 PM Preston | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
![]() | 8:52 AM Edinburgh | 2h23 | 11:15 AM Preston | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:00 AM Edinburgh | 4h38 | 1:38 PM Preston | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:15 AM Edinburgh | 3h41 | 12:56 PM Preston | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Preston by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight 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.
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Why should you book Edinburgh 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, Northern Rail, Caledonian Sleeper or TransPennine Express to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh 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 train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Edinburgh to Preston.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Raileurope or Trip?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, Caledonian Sleeper or TransPennine Express to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Preston.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Edinburgh to Preston.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Edinburgh to Preston?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Edinburgh to Preston
Trains from Edinburgh to Preston run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $30 (€24) but you can travel from only $16 (€13) by bus.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:30, the last at 22:50. The fastest train covers the 152 miles (245 km) distance in 2h 23m.
Distance 152 miles (245 km) |
Average train duration 3h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price $30 (€24) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 2h 23m |
First train 4:30 AM |
Last train 10:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 42 days |
Train companies: Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express from Edinburgh to Preston trainsAvanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Northern Rail, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express trains will get you between Edinburgh and Preston from $16 (€13). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
Transpennine Express
Northern Rail
Caledonian Sleeper
TransPennine Express
FAQs: Trains from Edinburgh to Preston
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh to Preston
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Free public Wi-Fi available.
- You can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2.
- Type of shops available: Wide range of shops Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: New Street: Long Stay
- Bagel Factory
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Costa Coffee
- JD Wetherspoon
- The Pasty Shop
- The Beer House
- M&S
- Pret a Manger
- Taxi: Nearest Taxi Ranks are on Market St and Waverley Bridge outside the station.
- Accessible taxis: Taxi ranks are located on Waverley Bridge and also Market Street. Market Street can be accessed step free via available lifts.
- Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: At entrance to Public Toilets
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets,Male toilets,
- Old Waverley Hotel
- Jurys Inn Edinburgh
- The Scotsman Hotel
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Cycle storage can be found in the station: by the lift at Platform 2 (37 spaces) Platform 3 (68 Spaces) and adjacent to Platform 19 (86 Spaces). Additional cycle spaces are available in New Street car park (32 spaces).
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information booths are located on the concourse.
- Bus lines: 22, 30, 33, X22, X25, X37
- Train lines: Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, LNER, ScotRail, Transpennine Express
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off on Waterloo Place, pick up across from Apex Hotel and drop off outside the Apex Hotel.
- Metro: No metro available.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 21:25 Saturday 06:30 - 21:25 Sunday 08:10 - 21:25
- Type of shops available: M&S Simply Food
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2
- 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: No
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on Platform 1, the Concourse and near the entrance from Haymarket Terrace.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: Inside the station - one on platform 4 and one on platform 2 and 3
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the layby in front of the station
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: No
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from Platform 2 bus stop, adjacent to Herminston Gate
- 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 Edinburgh
More options for your journey from Edinburgh to Preston
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