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Travel Information
Compare train, flight, and bus for Watford to Preston
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Watford to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $85. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 3m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $85, and a flight costs an average of $156.
Distance: 175 miles (282 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$128 Average price | $271 Average price | $106 Average price Cheapest | $74 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 40m Average total duration 3h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 24m Average total duration 4h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Watford to Preston:
A bus is $22 (€18) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Watford to Preston costing on average $128 (€105).
A bus is $165 (€135) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Watford to Preston costing on average $271 (€222).
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 10m.
Bus takes on average 4h 54m.
You'll arrive about 32m sooner (3h 10m by train vs 3h 42m by car). Tickets start at around $128 (€105) compared to roughly $74 (€61) 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.
Direct services run with Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper.
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
Watford to Preston train times
The table below shows live departures for Watford to Preston trains for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 8:46 PM Watford | 2h33 | 11:19 PM Preston | 0 transfersDirect | |
 | 8:50 PM Watford | 13h32 | 10:22 AM Preston | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Watford to Preston by train, flight, or bus
Compare train, flight, and bus 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 21
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Jun 24
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Jun 27
Why should you book Watford 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 Caledonian Sleeper or West Midlands Trains to find the best option for your trip from Watford 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, flight and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Watford to Preston.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Caledonian Sleeper or West Midlands Trains to find the best option for your trip from Watford to Preston.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, flight and bus to find the ideal travel option from Watford to Preston.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Watford to Preston
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Watford to Preston run on average 16 times per day, taking around 3h 10m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $127 (€104) but you can travel from only $85 (€70) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:25, the last at 21:45. The fastest train covers the 175 miles (282 km) distance in 3h 13m.
Distance 175 miles (282 km) |
Average train duration 3h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price $127 (€104) |
Trains per day 16 |
Fastest train 3h 13m |
First train 5:25 AM |
Last train 9:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 3 days |
Train companies: Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, West Midlands Trains from Watford to Preston trainsAvanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, West Midlands Trains trains will get you between Watford and Preston from $85 (€70). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
Caledonian Sleeper
West Midlands Trains
FAQs: Trains from Watford to Preston
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Watford 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 Watford to Preston
Most Watford to Preston trains use the Watford Junction to Preston station pair. Use this guide to compare Watford and Preston train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Which Watford station do trains to Preston leave from?
Getting to Watford Junction from Watford city centre
Watford Junction train station facilities and services
Watford Junction has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Watford Junction.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
ATMs are available at Watford Junction.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Watford Junction. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 0248 997, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Watford Junction: Parking, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Watford Junction: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford Junction: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are accessible on platform 6, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Ticket Vending Machines are located in the Booking Hall, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Getting to Bushey from Watford city centre
Bushey is 1 km from Watford city centre. Public transport options include:
Bushey train station facilities and services
Bushey has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Bushey.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Bushey.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Bushey. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0343 222 1234, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Bushey: Parking.
Bike and car services
Available at Bushey: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Bushey: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Accessibility category C. This station does not have step-free access, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Getting to Watford High Street from Watford city centre
Watford High Street train station facilities and services
Watford High Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Bike Rental.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Watford High Street.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Watford High Street. ATMs are available at Watford High Street.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Watford High Street.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Watford High Street: Parking.
Bike and car services
Available at Watford High Street: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Watford High Street: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Level access to ticket office from street. Single island platform, accessible from entrance by staircase only, Accessible taxis: Contact taxi operator directly, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Which Preston station do trains from Watford arrive at?
Getting to Preston from Preston city centre
Preston is 1 km from Preston city centre. Public transport options include:
Preston train station facilities and services
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 and drink
Food options include: Rise, The Olive Tree Brasserie, Turtle Bay
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Preston. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Preston. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Preston: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Preston: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Preston: Elevators, ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Preston - South, Delta Hotels Preston, Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel.
Most popular train connections from Watford
More options for your journey from Watford to Preston
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Preston and Watford
Most popular train connections to Preston
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