- Must visit
Science and Industry Museum
Leading museum of science, industry, transport, and computing on a historic railway site. Essential for understanding Manchester's global impact.
Cheapest price
€8
Average price
€11
Fastest journey
32 m
Average duration
42 m
Trains per day
6
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 €11 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €8.
Of the 6 trains that leave Preston for Manchester on Mon, Aug 03, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Aug 03 the direct trains cover the 45 km distance in an average of 42 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 32 m .
On Mon, Aug 03 the slowest trains will take 48 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.
G89833
G89828
G89881
G89831
W84896
W84896
G89882
G89881
G89831
G89833Trains from Preston to Manchester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €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 €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 |
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Manchester trains for today, Sunday, August 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W84920 | On time 5:48 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h32 | 6:20 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89896 | On time 6:11 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h39 | 6:50 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89862 | On time 6:21 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h50 | 7:11 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84924 | On time 6:49 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h31 | 7:20 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84924+ C32595 | On time 6:49 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h49 | 7:38 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1 transfer | |
G89864 | On time 7:21 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h50 | 8:11 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84926 | On time 7:48 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h32 | 8:20 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89876 · C32619 | On time 8:11 PM Preston station (PRE) | 1h27 | 9:38 PM Manchester Victoria (MCV) | 1 transfer | |
G89876 | On time 8:11 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h39 | 8:50 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89880 | On time 9:12 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h38 | 9:50 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89868 | On time 9:21 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h51 | 10:12 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84874 | On time 9:28 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h35 | 10:03 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84930 | On time 10:15 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h37 | 10:52 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89842 | On time 10:21 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h50 | 11:11 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G15790 | On time 10:48 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h31 | 11:19 PM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L89217 | On time 10:51 PM Preston station (PRE) | 0h49 | 11:40 PM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, August 3 | |||||
G89881 | 8:11 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h40 | 8:51 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89828 | 8:20 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h49 | 9:09 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
W84896 | 8:50 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h32 | 9:22 AM Manchester Oxford Road (MCO) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89831 | 8:51 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h48 | 9:39 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89882 | 9:11 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h40 | 9:51 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G89833 | 9:21 AM Preston station (PRE) | 0h48 | 10:09 AM Deansgate (DGT) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of Manchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Manchester trip today.
Leading museum of science, industry, transport, and computing on a historic railway site. Essential for understanding Manchester's global impact.
Major art museum with Pre-Raphaelite works, design, and changing exhibitions. A central cultural stop with broad appeal.
The University of Manchester museum spans dinosaurs, Egypt, nature, and anthropology. Recently renewed and excellent for varied interests.
Historic canal-side district with Roman remains, warehouses, and walkable towpaths. One of Manchester's most atmospheric urban areas.
Central square framed by grand civic buildings, museums, and monuments. A classic starting point for exploring the city centre.
Creative quarter of street art, music history, indie shops, and nightlife. It is one of Manchester's most characterful neighborhoods.
A flaky pastry pie filled with spiced potatoes, onion and often chickpeas. Created by Manchester’s South Asian community and now a city staple.
A comforting Northern pudding of suet pastry filled with beef and onion, traditionally steamed and served with gravy. Common in Greater Manchester pubs.
Manchester’s classic order of battered fish with chips, often served with mushy peas and curry sauce. A long-standing local takeaway favourite.
Iconic market bakery and café known for Manchester tarts, Eccles cakes and hearty lunches. Casual, busy and deeply rooted in local food culture.
Refined modern British fine dining in a restored townhouse. Known for tasting menus, polished service and one of Manchester’s top culinary reputations.
Lively Indian restaurant famous for bold curries, grills and chaat. A long-established Rusholme favourite with a casual, energetic atmosphere.
Moderate for the UK: hotels often cost less than London, while dining and transit are manageable for tourists with many mid-range options.
Service may be included. If not, 10-12.5% in restaurants is common for good service. Round up or add a little for taxis. Cafe tipping is optional.
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.

Most Preston to Manchester trains use the Preston to Manchester Airport station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester Piccadilly. Use this guide to compare Preston and Manchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
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.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Oxford Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Oxford Road: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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