How to travel from Preston to Edinburgh

Sat, Sep 05
+ Add return
Travel by train, bus, flight with
Avanti West Coast
FlixBus
Transpennine Express
London North Eastern Railway
National Express
1,000+ more
Avanti West Coast
FlixBus
Transpennine Express
London North Eastern Railway
National Express
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Preston to Edinburgh

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $32 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 44m. 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 $32, while a train costs an average of $49.

Distance: 152 miles (245 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus

$49

Average price

$32

Average price

Cheapest

3h 44m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 14m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 16m

Average total duration

4h 46m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.6kg

CO2 emissions

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

Travel options
from Preston to Edinburgh

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    5:15 PM5h56
    Preston, Bus Station
    11:11 PMEdinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB)
    $271One-way
    1 transfer

Cheapest

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    5:15 PM5h56
    Preston, Bus Station
    11:11 PMEdinburgh, Haymarket Station (Stop HB)
    $271One-way
    1 transfer

Fastest

  • Avanti West CoastW33799
    1:54 PM2h24
    Preston station (PRE)
    4:18 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $571One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Avanti West CoastW33563
    9:54 AM2h24
    Preston station (PRE)
    12:18 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $631One-way
    0 transfers
  • Avanti West CoastW33753
    11:53 AM2h27
    Preston station (PRE)
    2:20 PMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $631One-way
    0 transfers
  • Transpennine ExpressW85167
    9:03 AM2h34
    Preston station (PRE)
    11:37 AMEdinburgh Waverley (EDB)
    $781One-way
    0 transfers
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    5:15 PM6h08
    Preston, Bus Station
    11:23 PMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $281One-way
    1 transfer
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    5:15 PM5h48
    Preston, Bus Station
    11:03 PMEdinburgh, Drum Brae South
    $281One-way
    1 transfer
  • National ExpressNX181 · NX591
    2:25 AM8h00
    Preston, Bus Station
    10:25 AMEdinburgh, Bus Station
    $531One-way
    1 transfer
  • British AirwaysBA1371 · BA1464
    6:10 PM3h40
    Manchester Airport
    9:50 PMEdinburgh Airport
    $3651One-way
    1 transfer
  • British AirwaysBA1371 · BA1466
    6:10 PM4h55
    Manchester Airport
    11:05 PMEdinburgh Airport
    $3651One-way
    1 transfer
  • British AirwaysBA1369 · BA1464
    4:45 PM5h05
    Manchester Airport
    9:50 PMEdinburgh Airport
    $3651One-way
    1 transfer

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

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FAQs: Travel from Preston to Edinburgh

Travel to Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Preston and Edinburgh including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Preston to Edinburgh is a bus with an average price of $32 (€26).

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

A bus is $17 (€14) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Edinburgh costing on average $49 (€40).

A bus is $209 (€169) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Preston to Edinburgh costing on average $241 (€195).

The fastest way to travel from Preston to Edinburgh is by train with an average journey time of 3h 44m.

Other travel options to Edinburgh take longer:

Bus takes on average 5h 16m.

Flight takes on average 7h 22m.

The distance from Preston to Edinburgh is approximately 152 miles (245 km).
The average frequency per day from Preston to Edinburgh is:
  • Around 15 flights per day.
  • Around 6 trains per day.
  • Around 5 buses per day.

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

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Preston to Edinburgh:
  • Flights mostly depart from Manchester Airport and arrive in Edinburgh Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Preston station (PRE) and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley (EDB).
  • Buses mostly depart from Preston, Bus Station and arrive in Edinburgh, Bus Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Preston to Edinburgh, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with FlixBus, National Express, Megabus to go to Edinburgh by bus.
  • Travel with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, London North Eastern Railway, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express to go to Edinburgh by train.
Yes, there is a direct route available from Preston to Edinburgh:
  • 5 direct trains per day with Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Caledonian Sleeper, TransPennine Express.
Omio customers who travel from Preston to Edinburgh often also extend their vacation to go to London, Glasgow, Inverness, Manchester, Paris. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Edinburgh and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Edinburgh to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Edinburgh, visitors can explore the vibrant atmosphere of Grassmarket, enjoy a ghost tour of the haunted streets, attend shows at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and visit the Royal Botanic Garden. Discover hidden gems at the Stockbridge Market. Key sights include Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, and The National Museum of Scotland.
For a fulfilling experience, spending 2 to 3 days in Edinburgh allows you to explore its historic sites, such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, enjoy cultural attractions, and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.

Travelling from Preston to Edinburgh: related information

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

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to EdinburghHow to travel from Preston to Edinburgh

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