4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare bus and train 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 an average ticket price of $52 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 0m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $52, while a train costs an average of $114.
Distance: 159 miles (256 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$114 Average price | $52 Average price Cheapest | $69 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 3h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 27m Average total duration 6h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 55m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Cardiff to Preston:
A bus is $61 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Preston costing on average $114.
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 27m.
You'll arrive about 1h 25m sooner (3h 30m by train vs 4h 55m by car). Tickets start at around $114 compared to roughly $69 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.
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.
Travel optionsfrom Cardiff to Preston
How to get from Cardiff to Preston by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Cardiff to Preston is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
5:00 AM12h10Cardiff5:10 PMPreston$431One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 5:00 AM12h10Cardiff5:10 PMPreston$431One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 6:10 AM11h00Cardiff5:10 PMPreston$431One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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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.
This is compared to other travel options from Cardiff to Preston:
A bus is $61 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cardiff to Preston costing on average $114.
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 27m.
- 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 bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- 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.
- Travel with CrossCountry, Transport for Wales to go to Preston by train.
- Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Preston by bus.
Travelling from Cardiff to Preston: related information
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