How to travel from Cardiff to Preston

Sun, Mar 22
+ Add return
Travel by train, bus with
Transport for Wales
National Express
CrossCountry
Megabus
Avanti West Coast
1,000+ more
Transport for Wales
National Express
CrossCountry
Megabus
Avanti West Coast
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Cardiff to Preston

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $32. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 39m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $32, and a train costs an average of $66.

Distance: 159 miles (256 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

$91

Average price

$46

Average price

Cheapest

4h 9m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 39m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 44m

Average total duration

7h 14m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.3 - 0.6kg

CO2 emissions

Transport for Wales

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Travel options
from Cardiff to Preston

How to get from Cardiff to Preston by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Cardiff to Preston is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
06:10AM11h00
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
05:10PMPreston, Bus Station
$341One-way
1 transfer

Cheapest

FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
06:10AM11h00
Cardiff, North Road (Friary Gardens)
05:10PMPreston, Bus Station
$341One-way
1 transfer

Fastest

Transport for WalesL64807+Avanti West CoastL02372
08:53AM3h57
Cardiff Central (CDF)
12:50PMPreston station (PRE)
$1371One-way
1 transfer

Other options

Transport for WalesL64791+Northern Rail (3)L08222
09:53AM4h32
Cardiff Central (CDF)
02:25PMPreston station (PRE)
$781One-way
1 transfer
Transport for WalesL64807+Northern Rail (3)L08229
08:53AM4h32
Cardiff Central (CDF)
01:25PMPreston station (PRE)
$901One-way
1 transfer
Transport for WalesL64791+Avanti West CoastW02929
09:53AM3h58
Cardiff Central (CDF)
01:51PMPreston station (PRE)
$1371One-way
1 transfer
National ExpressNX111 · NX181
05:10PM9h15
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
02:25AMPreston, Bus Station
$411One-way
1 transfer
National ExpressNX216 · NX100 · NX424
06:05PM13h05
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
07:10AMPreston, Bus Station
$431One-way
2 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Cardiff to Preston

Travel to Preston easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cardiff to Preston.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Cardiff and Preston including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Cardiff to Preston is a bus with an average price of $32 (€26).

This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Preston:

A bus is $35 (€28) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Preston costing on average $66 (€54).

The fastest way to travel from Cardiff to Preston is by train with an average journey time of 4h 5m.

Other travel options to Preston take longer:

Bus takes on average 8h 50m.

The distance from Cardiff to Preston is approximately 159 miles (256 km).
The average frequency per day from Cardiff to Preston is:
  • Around 6 trains per day.
  • Around 3 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cardiff and Preston as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Cardiff to Preston:
  • Trains mostly depart from Cardiff Central (CDF) and arrive in Preston station (PRE).
  • Buses mostly depart from Cardiff, Sophia Gardens and arrive in Preston, Bus Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Cardiff to Preston, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with National Express, Megabus to go to Preston by bus.
  • Travel with Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Transport for Wales to go to Preston by train.
Yes, there is a direct route available from Cardiff to Preston:
  • 0 direct buses per day with Megabus.
Omio customers who travel from Cardiff to Preston often also extend their vacation to go to London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London Euston (EUS). Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Preston and these popular destinations at a great price.

Travelling from Cardiff to Preston: related information

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

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to PrestonHow to travel from Cardiff to Preston

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