The cheapest and fastest trains from Exeter to Preston
Cheapest price
$67
Average price
$105
Fastest journey
4 h 23 m
Average duration
4 h 46 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
343 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to Preston will cost around $105 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $67.
Of the 2 trains that leave Exeter for Preston on Thu, Jun 04, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 04 the direct trains cover the 343 km distance in an average of 4 h 46 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 23 m .
On Thu, Jun 04 the slowest trains will take 5 h 8 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.
11:27 AM4h23Exeter3:50 PMPreston$671One-way0 transfers
11:42 AM5h08Exeter4:50 PMPreston$1441One-way0 transfers
11:27 AM4h23Exeter3:50 PMPreston$671One-way0 transfers
11:42 AM5h08Exeter4:50 PMPreston$1441One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Exeter to Preston
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Exeter to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $37. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $37, and a flight costs an average of $150.
Distance: 213 miles (343 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$119 Average price | $45 Average price Cheapest | $181 Average price | $96 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 42m Average total duration 4h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 42m Average total duration 8h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 56m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to Preston:
A bus is $74 (€60) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Preston costing on average $119 (€96).
A bus is $135 (€109) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Exeter to Preston costing on average $181 (€146).
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 12m.
Bus takes on average 8h 12m.
You'll arrive about 44m sooner (4h 12m by train vs 4h 56m by car). Tickets start at around $119 (€96) compared to roughly $96 (€78) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Exeter to Preston train times
The table below shows live departures for Exeter to Preston trains for today, Wednesday, June 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:27 AM Exeter | 4h23 | 3:50 PM Preston | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 12:27 PM Exeter | 4h23 | 4:50 PM Preston | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 1:27 PM Exeter | 4h25 | 5:52 PM Preston | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 2:27 PM Exeter | 4h23 | 6:50 PM Preston | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 3:28 PM Exeter | 4h23 | 7:51 PM Preston | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 4:27 PM Exeter | 4h23 | 8:50 PM Preston | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 9:14 PM Exeter | 10h36 | 7:50 AM Preston | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 10:43 PM Exeter | 11h07 | 9:50 AM Preston | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Exeter to Preston by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, 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.
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Jun 07
Jun 08
Jun 09
Jun 10
Why should you book Exeter to Preston trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Cross Country or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Exeter 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 CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Exeter to Preston.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Exeter to Preston.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Exeter to Preston
Trains from Exeter to Preston run on average 15 times per day, taking around 4h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $67 (€54) but you can travel from only $37 (€30) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:25, the last at 19:27. The fastest train covers the 213 miles (343 km) distance in 4h 23m.
Distance 213 miles (343 km) |
Average train duration 4h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price $67 (€54) |
Trains per day 15 |
Fastest train 4h 23m |
First train 5:25 AM |
Last train 7:27 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 28 days |
Train companies: CrossCountry, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR) from Exeter to Preston trainsCrossCountry, Cross Country, Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Exeter and Preston from $37 (€30). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
CrossCountry
Cross Country
Great Western Railway (GWR)
FAQs: Trains from Exeter to Preston
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter 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 Exeter to Preston
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 20:40 Saturday 06:15 - 20:00 Sunday 07:30 - 20:40 Reservations and tickets requiring reservations are sold at the following times only: Weekdays (Mon-Fri) 08:45 - 19:40, Saturday 08:45 - 18:30 Sunday 10:00 - 17:30
- Type of shops available: WHSmith
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step free Category A station - All platforms can be accessed via Lifts from the sole main station entrance. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office.
- 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 on Platforms 1 and 5. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Platform 1 and adjacent entrance
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Front of the station
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: No
- Step free access note: Step free Category C Station - This station does not have step free access to any platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station.
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Bottom of stairs leading to platform 1.
- Storage CCTV: No
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: To Exeter St Davids: Cowick Street bus stop by shopping precint. To Newton Abbot: Cowick Street bus stop outside the station
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 07:50 - 18:15 Saturday 07:50 - 18:15 Sunday 09:30 - 16:30
- Car Park: Station Car Park
- Taxi: Yes
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: Step free Category A station - Both platforms can be accessed via lifts from the main station entrance
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available
- 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 2. The National key toilets are operated by a RADAR key. The RADAR key is available from station staff upon request.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: The radar key is available from station staff.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Both platforms
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Bus stop at the front of the station on Queens Street
- 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 Exeter
More options for your journey from Exeter to Preston
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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