4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest coaches from Preston to Manchester
Cheapest price
£6
Average price
£9
Fastest journey
45 m
Average duration
1 h
Buses per day
3
Distance
45 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Preston to Manchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Manchester will cost around £9 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £6.
Of the 3 buses that leave Preston for Manchester every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 45 km distance in an average of 1 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 45 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 10 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.
FlixBus
NX424NX181NX181FlixBusNX424
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Preston to Manchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £2. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 41m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £2, and a coach costs an average of £6.
Distance: 45 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£9 Average Price | £9 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 48m Average total duration 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 11m Average total duration Fastest 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Preston to Manchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Manchester coaches for today, Tuesday 25 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 14:15 Preston, Bus Station | 1h05 | 15:20 Manchester, Shudehill Interchange | 0 changesdirect | |
| NX424 | 22:35 Preston, Bus Station | 1h10 | 23:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
| Wednesday 26 November | |||||
| NX181 | 03:15 Preston, Bus Station | 0h45 | 04:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Preston to Manchester by train or coach
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.
26 Nov
27 Nov
28 Nov
29 Nov
30 Nov
01 Dec
02 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Preston to Manchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Preston to Manchester run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £6 but you can travel from only £2 by train.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:03, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 45 km distance in 1h 5m.
Distance 45 km |
Average bus duration 1h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price £6 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 1h 5m |
First bus 00:03 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Bus providers: Megabus, National Express, FlixBus from Preston to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Preston to Manchester with Megabus, National Express, FlixBus for as low as £2. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
National Express
Megabus
Buses from Preston to Manchester
The bus service linking Preston and Manchester is operated by National Express, which runs 6 buses per day. Travel time can be as short as 45 minutes, although on average, this bus journey takes 1 hour. No stopovers or transfers are needed on this trip. The earliest bus departs Preston at 3:00 a.m., and coaches stop running at 8:15 p.m.
What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Preston to Manchester?
Departure Station: Preston Bus Station, which can be found on the eastern side of the town centre, is less than a 10-minute walk from the town's main attractions, such as the Guild Hall Theatre, Harris Museum, and the Cenotaph. Preston railway station is 2 kilometres away, on the opposite side of town.
Arrival Station: Manchester Coach Station (also known as Chorlton Street station), located a couple hundred metres behind the pedestrian area of Canal Street. Historical and cultural attractions like the Opera House, Albert Hall, and the Central Library are under 1 kilometre away. The nearest Metrolink tram stop is Piccadilly Gardens, a short 4-minute walk from the coach station.
FAQs: Preston to Manchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Manchester 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 Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Passengers board the coach most frequently from Preston, Bus Station, which is located around 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Manchester, Coach Station, located 0.9 miles (1.5 km) away from the city centre.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Preston to Manchester, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Preston and Manchester
Wifi
Parking
ATM
Taxis
Accessibility
WC
Ticket Office
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
WifiParking
DiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 50, 192, 201, 203, 205, 219, 255, 256 Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metro: Piccadilly Gardens
WifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWC
ShowerTicket Office- 00:00-23:59
- Free Wi-Fi
- Burger King (in the station)
- Giraffe (in the station).
- Available outside the terminal, with several companies offering services.
- Elevators, ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 43, 103 Train: Manchester Airport
More options for your journey from Preston to Manchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Manchester and Preston
Most popular bus connections
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