- Must visit
The Harris
Preston's leading museum and gallery, known for fine art, history, and architecture. A cornerstone cultural attraction in the city centre.
Cheapest price on Sep 08
€12
Average ticket price on Sep 08
€18
Fastest journey on Sep 08
53 m
Average journey duration on Sep 08
54 m
Trains on Sep 08
36
Distance
53 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston will cost around €18 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €12.
On Tue, Sep 08, we found 36 trains from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston, including 36 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 08 the direct trains cover the 53 km distance in an average of 54 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 53 m .
On Tue, Sep 08 the slowest trains will take 55 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.
G89614
G89602
G89581
G89577
G89585
W85177
W85182
W85206
W85191
W85179Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €9 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 33m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €9, while a bus costs an average of €14.
Distance: 32 miles (53 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€9 Average price Cheapest | €14 Average price | €13 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 14m Average total duration 1h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston:
A train is €5 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston costing on average €14.
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 44m.
Tickets start at around €9 compared to roughly €13 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €4. The journey takes 1h 3m versus 55m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Northern Rail, Transpennine Express, TransPennine Express, Northern Trains Limited.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston trains for today, Monday, September 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W85191 | On time 2:04 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0h55 | 2:59 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89614 | On time 2:17 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h08 | 3:25 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84750 | On time 9:04 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h03 | 10:07 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89587 | On time 9:17 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h11 | 10:28 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89591 | On time 9:48 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h02 | 10:50 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89060 | On time 9:59 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h05 | 11:04 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89595 | On time 10:17 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h12 | 11:29 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89599 | On time 10:48 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h05 | 11:53 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, September 8 | |||||
G89045 | 9:29 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h03 | 10:32 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89573 | 9:48 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h08 | 10:56 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85177 | 10:04 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0h53 | 10:57 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89577 | 10:17 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h08 | 11:25 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89047 | 10:29 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h03 | 11:32 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89581 | 10:48 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h09 | 11:57 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85179 | 11:04 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0h55 | 11:59 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89585 | 11:17 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h08 | 12:25 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89071 | 11:29 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h16 | 12:45 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89589 | 11:48 AM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h09 | 12:57 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85182 | 12:04 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0h54 | 12:58 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89593 | 12:17 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h08 | 1:25 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89072 | 12:29 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h16 | 1:45 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89597 | 12:48 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h09 | 1:57 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W85188 | 1:04 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 0h56 | 2:00 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89602 | 1:17 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h08 | 2:25 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89051 | 1:29 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h03 | 2:32 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89607 | 1:48 PM Manchester Airport (MIA) | 1h10 | 2:58 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 3m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €5 if you book in advance.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:17, the last at 22:17. The fastest train covers the 32 miles (53 km) distance in 56m.
Distance 32 miles (53 km) |
Average train duration 1h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price €5 |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 9 |
Fastest train 56m |
First train 5:17 AM |
Last train 10:17 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Discover the best of Preston — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Preston trip today.
Preston's leading museum and gallery, known for fine art, history, and architecture. A cornerstone cultural attraction in the city centre.
Museum of Lancashire history with social, military, and industrial displays. A strong introduction to the county's people and stories.
Modern university gallery presenting changing contemporary art exhibitions. Worth visiting for fresh work by regional and national artists.
Main civic square framed by major buildings and regular events. A central meeting point and one of Preston's most recognisable public spaces.
Canal-side walking and cycling route with locks, boats, and long views. Ideal for a relaxed local ramble away from the busiest streets.
Extensive riverside and wetland area popular for walking, birdlife, and broad open views. A lesser-known escape close to the city.
Lancashire hotpot is a slow-cooked lamb and onion stew topped with sliced potatoes, long linked with Lancashire home cooking and nearby mill towns.
Butter pie is Preston's best-known savoury pie, filled with potato, onion and butter. It became a Friday staple for local Catholics avoiding meat.
Parkin is a dark oat, treacle and ginger cake popular across Lancashire, especially in colder months and around Bonfire Night.
Elegant fine dining by chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, known for refined modern British tasting menus and polished service in a country house setting.
Long-established city centre restaurant serving classic Italian dishes in a smart yet relaxed setting. Popular for pasta, seafood and pre-theatre meals.
Traditional Lancashire pub atmosphere with cask ales and hearty British plates. A good place to try regional comfort food in central Preston.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly affordable for visitors.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not require tips.
Official public transport app
Preston Railway Station -> Preston Bus Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester Airport (MIA) 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.

Most Manchester Airport (MIA) to Preston trains use the Manchester Airport to Preston station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester Airport (MIA) and Preston train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, 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.
Preston is 1 km from Preston city centre. Public transport options include:
Preston has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Rise, The Olive Tree Brasserie, Turtle Bay
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Preston. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Preston. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Preston: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Preston: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Preston: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Preston - South, Delta Hotels Preston, Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need