- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Major museum exploring Manchester’s role in science, technology and industry, with historic machinery and railway heritage on the oldest surviving passenger railway station site.
Cheapest price
$12
Average price
$17
Fastest journey
33 m
Average duration
36 m
Trains per day
19
Distance
45 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Manchester will cost around $17 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $12.
Of the 19 trains that leave Preston for Manchester on Fri, Jun 19, 17 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 19 the direct trains cover the 45 km distance in an average of 36 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 33 m .
On Fri, Jun 19 the slowest trains will take 39 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.
G89823
G89830
G89827
G89825
G89819
W84915
W84922
W84918
G89889
G89673Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 40m. 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 $5, and a bus costs an average of $8.
Distance: 27 miles (45 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$11 Average price Cheapest | $11 Average price | $12 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 10m Average total duration Fastest 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 37m Average total duration 1h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.1kg 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 Preston to Manchester:
A train is $0.48 (€0.39) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Preston to Manchester costing on average $11 (€9).
Other travel options to Manchester take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 7m.
The journey is about 23m faster (40m by train vs 1h 3m by car) and roughly $1 (€1) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($11 (€9) vs $12 (€10)). 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 Northern Rail, Transpennine Express, TransPennine Express, Northern Trains Limited.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Manchester trains for today, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G89816 | On time 5:25 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h44 | 6:09 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89818 | On time 5:50 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h49 | 6:39 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89877 | On time 6:12 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h39 | 6:51 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89820 | On time 6:21 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h48 | 7:09 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84878 | 6:47 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h35 | 7:22 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89822 | 6:49 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h50 | 7:39 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89878 | On time 7:13 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h38 | 7:51 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89871 | 2:11 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h40 | 2:51 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89865 | 2:20 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h49 | 3:09 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84912 | 2:48 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h34 | 3:22 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89867 | 2:52 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h47 | 3:39 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89889 | 3:12 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h39 | 3:51 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P28507+ W34124 | 3:18 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h50 | 4:08 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1 transfer | |
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 Preston to Manchester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) if you book in advance.
There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:03, the last at 23:52. The fastest train covers the 27 miles (45 km) distance in 32m.
Distance 27 miles (45 km) |
Average train duration 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $5 (€4) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 8 |
Fastest train 32m |
First train 12:03 AM |
Last train 11:52 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Major museum exploring Manchester’s role in science, technology and industry, with historic machinery and railway heritage on the oldest surviving passenger railway station site.
University museum with acclaimed natural history, archaeology and cultural collections, recently refreshed and especially popular for its dinosaur and ancient Egypt displays.
Central city gallery with fine art, design and decorative arts collections, plus changing exhibitions in a landmark civic building.
Manchester’s best-known creative district, packed with street art, independent shops and photogenic corners that are highly popular online.
Canalside heritage area with Roman roots, warehouses, waterside walks and one of the city’s most atmospheric urban landscapes.
Historic civic square framed by major Victorian architecture and often used for events, making it a classic city-centre stop.
A classic Manchester dessert with shortcrust pastry, raspberry jam, custard, coconut, and a cherry. It is one of the city’s best-known traditional sweet dishes.
A flaky pastry filled with currants, sugar, and butter, originating from Eccles in Greater Manchester. It is a famous regional bake often eaten with tea.
A traditional blood sausage strongly associated with nearby Bury and widely eaten in Manchester, especially as part of a full breakfast.
A stylish and widely loved restaurant inspired by Bombay cafés, known for rich curries, grilled dishes, and a distinctive heritage interior.
A popular casual venue pairing Indian street food with craft beer. It is lively, well-known, and especially good for vegetarian diners.
A celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Manchester known for modern British cooking, polished service, and an elegant setting inside The Midland hotel.
Moderate by UK standards. Budget eats are easy to find, but central hotels and nightlife can be pricey.
Service is often included in restaurants. If not, tip 10-12.5% for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping is not expected for counter service, but small tips are appreciated.
Official public transport app
Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester -> Manchester City Centre, Manchester
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Manchester 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 Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need