- Must visit
Museum of Liverpool
A major museum covering Liverpool’s global links, city life and transport, with family-friendly displays and broad local history.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£15
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£16
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
3 h 50 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
4 h 30 m
Buses on 05 Sept
3
Distance
43 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Preston to Liverpool is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Liverpool will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £15.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 3 buses from Preston to Liverpool, including 3 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 43 km distance in an average of 4 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 50 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Liverpool among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £10 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 26m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £10, while a coach costs an average of £16.
Distance: 43 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£16 Average Price | £10 Average Price Cheapest | £8 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 18m Average total duration 1h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 26m Average total duration Fastest 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train 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 Liverpool:
A train is £5 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Preston to Liverpool costing on average £16.
Other travel options to Liverpool take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 48m.
Tickets start at around £16 compared to roughly £8 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-7.54. The journey takes 1h 48m versus 1h 14m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Liverpool coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX181 · NX421 | 3:20 Preston, Bus Station | 5h15 | 8:35 Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 1 change | |
NX181 · NX170 | 3:20 Preston, Bus Station | 5h50 | 9:10 Liverpool, University | 1 change | |
NX424 · NX170 | 22:35 Preston, Bus Station | 3h15 | 1:50 Liverpool, University | 1 change | |
NX424 · NX170 | 22:35 Preston, Bus Station | 3h25 | 2:00 Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach 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.
Buses from Preston to Liverpool run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 but you can travel from only £5 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 01:55, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 43 km distance in 3h 0m.
Distance 43 km |
Average bus duration 1h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 3h 0m |
First bus 1:55 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Liverpool — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Liverpool trip today.
A major museum covering Liverpool’s global links, city life and transport, with family-friendly displays and broad local history.
An extensive museum of archaeology, world cultures and natural history, known for varied displays and free family visits.
A waterfront gallery with British art, decorative works and changing exhibitions in a landmark dockside building.
Liverpool’s revived dock complex with museums, waterfront walks, historic warehouses and some of the city’s best views.
A compact central quarter known for independent shops, street art, music venues and a lively creative atmosphere.
A broad Georgian street lined with cultural venues, gardens and major civic buildings, ideal for a scenic walk.
A hearty beef stew with root vegetables, long linked to Liverpool’s dockworkers and home cooking. It is one of the city’s best-known traditional dishes.
A lighter local variation of scouse made with lamb or mutton, potatoes and vegetables. It reflects older Liverpool home-style cooking traditions.
A local bakery favourite made from leftover cake pieces bound with sweet filling and covered in icing or chocolate. It is strongly associated with Liverpool bakeries.
Refined modern British tasting menus in an intimate, polished setting. A strong choice for a special meal in central Liverpool.
Historic pub famed for serving traditional scouse and classic British comfort food in a busy, characterful city-centre setting.
Long-established seafood restaurant known for fresh fish, shellfish and a smart but relaxed dining room near the waterfront.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while buses, trains and attractions can still add up in peak periods.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; otherwise tip about 10%. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.
Official public transport app
Liverpool ONE, Liverpool -> Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool
Taking coaches from Preston to Liverpool is a relaxing way of making the journey between these two northern cities. Coaches are operated by National Express and most take from just under three hours to approximately three and a half hours to complete the journey with one connection en route. There is also one daily evening departure with a much faster journey time of just one hour. All departures are from Preston Tithebarn Street Coach Station with arrivals at Liverpool One Bus Station, Canning Street.
All coaches to Liverpool from Preston are provided by National Express, a large part-British and part-multinational owned company that offers an extensive network of routes across the UK and Europe. All National Express coaches are modern and comfortable with onboard services that include WiFi, toilets, luggage space and air conditioning or heating.
Coaches on connecting routes from Preston to Liverpool take between two hours 50 minutes and three and a half hours to complete their journey. One transfer is required and this is made at Manchester Coach Station. There is also one daily direct route with a fast journey time of just one hour.
There are six coaches to Liverpool from Preston on connecting routes and one direct service. A similar timetable is in place seven days a week. Coach departures start in the early morning and continue at regular intervals throughout the day until late evening.
Departure bus station: Coaches from Preston to Liverpool depart from Preston Tithebarn Street Coach Station, a listed example of 20th-century Brutalist architecture that has recently been refurbished. It is located to the east of the city centre and among its facilities are car parking, WiFi, waiting areas and cafes.
Arrival bus station: Coaches to Liverpool from Preston finish their journey at Liverpool One Bus Station, Canning Street. This is part of the Liverpool One shopping centre in the heart of the city. It is a few minutes' walk from the train station and is served by local buses and taxis. At the bus station, there are toilets and waiting areas while passengers have access to the services, shops and restaurants in the shopping centre.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Liverpool by coach. 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 coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Liverpool, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Preston to Liverpool buses use the Preston, Bus Station to Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place station pair, with some services arriving at Liverpool, University. Use this guide to compare Preston and Liverpool bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Preston, Bus Station is 1 km from Preston city centre. Public transport options include:
Preston, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafes and fast food are available within the station.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the station concourse. ATMs are multiple ATMs are located in the main concourse.
Ticket office support is available at Preston, Bus Station.
Available at Preston, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Preston, Bus Station: Full accessibility for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café in the Station (in the station), Fast Food Outlet (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place.
Available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, One Bus Station, Canning Place: Elevators, ramps.
Liverpool, University is 1 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, University has practical services for this route, including Taxis.
Available at Liverpool, University: Taxis.
Liverpool, Botanic Park is 2 km from Liverpool city centre. Public transport options include:
Liverpool, Botanic Park has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Liverpool, Botanic Park. ATMs are available at Liverpool, Botanic Park.
Ticket office support is available at Liverpool, Botanic Park.
Available at Liverpool, Botanic Park: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Liverpool, Botanic Park: Station is accessible for those with reduced mobility.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need