- Must visit
The Harris
Major city museum and library in a landmark building, known for art, history and regular exhibitions in the Harris Quarter.
Cheapest price on 11 Sept
£6
Average ticket price on 11 Sept
£6
Fastest journey on 11 Sept
1 h
Average journey duration on 11 Sept
1 h
Buses on 11 Sept
1
Distance
42 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Salford to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salford to Preston will cost around £6 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £6.
On Fri 11 Sept, we found 1 buses from Salford to Preston, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 42 km distance in an average of 1 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 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
FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salford to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £5 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 14m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £5, while a train costs an average of £15.
Distance: 42 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£5 Average Price Cheapest | £15 Average Price | £9 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 35m Average total duration 1h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 14m Average total duration Fastest 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 48m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salford to Preston:
A coach is £11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salford to Preston costing on average £15.
Other travel options to Preston take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 5m.
Tickets start at around £5 compared to roughly £9 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £5. The journey takes 1h 5m versus 48m 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.
Direct services are operated by Megabus, FlixBus.
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 Salford to Preston coaches for today, Thursday 10 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 16:10 Salford | 1h00 | 17:10 Preston | 0 changesdirect | |
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 Salford to Preston run on average 2 times per day, taking around 1h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £5 if you book in advance.
There are 1 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:03, the last at 23:49. The fastest coach covers the 42 km distance in 1h 0m.
Distance 42 km |
Average bus duration 1h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price £5 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 1h 0m |
First bus 0:03 |
Last bus 23:49 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Preston — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Preston trip today.
Major city museum and library in a landmark building, known for art, history and regular exhibitions in the Harris Quarter.
Museum on the University of Central Lancashire campus with Egyptology, archaeology and world cultures collections in a compact gallery.
Volunteer-run transport museum at Ribble Steam Railway, featuring Preston’s industrial and rail heritage with locomotives and exhibits.
Historic city park with terraces, paths and river views. A favourite for walks, photography and access to nearby Miller Park.
Landscaped Victorian park beside the River Ribble, appreciated for open lawns, flower displays and peaceful links to city-centre walks.
Regenerated docklands area with marina views, public art and waterside paths, popular for an easy modern contrast to the historic centre.
A buttery shortcrust pie filled with potatoes and onions. It is Preston and Lancashire’s best-known savoury bake, tied to local mill and farming traditions.
A rich fruit cake packed with currants and topped with almond paste. It is a classic Lancashire celebration cake still eaten across Preston.
A crumbly, mild white cheese from Lancashire often made in creamy, tasty and crumbly layers. It reflects the county’s long dairy heritage.
Stylish modern restaurant serving British and European plates with cocktails. Good for a polished dinner in central Preston.
Established local spot for Neapolitan-style pizza and Italian comfort food in a friendly, informal setting.
Traditional city-centre pub known for cask ales and hearty British dishes in a historic, relaxed setting.
Preston is moderate by UK standards, with cheaper stays and dining than Manchester or London, while local buses, rail and casual meals remain manageable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafes do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Preston Bus Station -> Preston Railway Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salford to Preston 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 Preston, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Salford to Preston buses use the Manchester, Shudehill Interchange to Preston, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Salford and Preston 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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need