4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Preston to Birmingham
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Birmingham among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $31 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 29m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $31, while a train costs an average of $55.
Distance: 95 miles (153 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$55 Average price | $31 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 29m Average total duration Fastest 1h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 24m Average total duration 3h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 8m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.4kg 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 Birmingham:
A bus is $24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Birmingham costing on average $55.
Other travel options to Birmingham take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 24m.
You'll arrive about 9m sooner (1h 59m by train vs 2h 8m by car). Tickets start at around $55 compared to roughly $50 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 Preston to Birmingham
How to get from Preston to Birmingham by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Preston to Birmingham is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- W005875:18 PM1h49Preston station (PRE)7:07 PMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$161One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- W005875:18 PM1h49Preston station (PRE)7:07 PMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$161One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- C0136212:18 PM1h48Preston station (PRE)2:06 PMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$171One-way0 transfers
Other options
- C013654:18 PM1h48Preston station (PRE)6:06 PMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$171One-way0 transfers
- W341602:18 PM1h48Preston station (PRE)4:06 PMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$181One-way0 transfers
- W342718:17 AM1h49Preston station (PRE)10:06 AMBirmingham New Street (BHM)$221One-way0 transfers
FlixBus2:15 PM3h35Preston, Bus Station5:50 PMBirmingham$171One-way0 transfers- NX1813:20 AM3h05Preston, Bus Station6:25 AMBirmingham, Coach Station$281One-way0 transfers
- RL152 · NX540 · NX5417:55 AM6h45Preston, Bus Station2:40 PMBirmingham, Coach Station$291One-way2 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 Preston to Birmingham
Travel to Birmingham 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 Preston to Birmingham.
This is compared to other travel options from Preston to Birmingham:
A bus is $24 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Birmingham costing on average $55.
Other travel options to Birmingham take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 24m.
- Around 7 trains per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Preston and Birmingham as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Buses mostly depart from Preston, Bus Station and arrive in Birmingham, Coach Station.
- Trains mostly depart from Preston station (PRE) and arrive in Birmingham New Street (BHM).
- Travel with Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Northern Rail, Lumo, West Midlands Trains to go to Birmingham by train.
- Travel with FlixBus, National Express to go to Birmingham by bus.
- 4 direct trains per day with Avanti West Coast.
- 2 direct buses per day with FlixBus, National Express.
Travelling from Preston to Birmingham: related information
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