1,000+ travel companies
1,000+ travel companies
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
4.942K ratings
Google Play
4.6136K reviews
The cheapest and fastest trains from Colchester to Preston
Showing times and prices for 06 Nov
Cheapest price
£74
Average price
£174
Fastest journey
3 h 55 m
Average duration
4 h 11 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
320 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Colchester to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Colchester to Preston will cost around £174 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £74.
Fast trains
Of the 2 trains that leave Colchester for Preston every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 320 km distance in an average of 4 h 11 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 55 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 27 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.
09:124h27
Colchester13:39Preston
£741One-way
0 changes
04:443h55
Colchester08:39Preston
£2741One-way
0 changes
04:443h55
Colchester08:39Preston
£2741One-way
0 changes
09:124h27
Colchester13:39Preston
£741One-way
0 changes
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Colchester to Preston
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £76. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £76, and a train costs an average of £212.
Distance: 320 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£212 Average Price | £76 Average Price Cheapest |
5h 7m Average total duration Fastest 4h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 23m Average total duration 8h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Colchester to Preston train times
Showing trains for today, Wednesday 5 November
Last updated at 01:10
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:44 Colchester | 3h55 | 08:39 Preston | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Colchester to Preston by train, coach or flight
Thu
06 Nov
06 Nov
Fri
07 Nov
07 Nov
Sat
08 Nov
08 Nov
Sun
09 Nov
09 Nov
Mon
10 Nov
10 Nov
Tue
11 Nov
11 Nov
Wed
12 Nov
12 Nov
Journey information
Overview: Train from Colchester to Preston
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Colchester to Preston run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £212 but you can travel from only £76 by coach.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £76
Distance 320 km |
Average train duration 4h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price £212 |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 3h 55m |
First train 05:12 |
Last train 20:59 |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £76
Train companies: Avanti West Coast, Abellio Greater Anglia from Colchester to Preston trainsAvanti West Coast, Abellio Greater Anglia trains will get you between Colchester and Preston from £76. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
About
Avanti West Coast is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates high-speed trains between London and major cities in the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company offers a range of ticket types, including Standard, First Class and Advance tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drinks. The most popular routes for Avanti West Coast are London to Birmingham, London to Manchester and London to Glasgow. The company operates a fleet of Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, which offer a smooth and comfortable journey.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 55m
Cheapest Price
£74
Avanti West Coast frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
First Class: Complimentary meals and drinks. Standard Class: Onboard shop with drinks and snacks
Seat reservation
First Class: Included in ticket price. Standard Class: Optional reservation for £8-12
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance for boarding/alighting available
Pets
Small pets free in carriers. Dogs £30 per single journey. Guide dogs free
Quiet zone
Abellio Greater Anglia
About
Greater Anglia is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from commuter trains to intercity services. The commuter trains run at regular intervals throughout the day, while the intercity services run at peak times. The train types include the InterCity 125, InterCity 225, Class 90, Class 91, Class 360 and Class 379. The ticket types available are Standard, First Class and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and refreshment trolleys. The most popular routes for Greater Anglia are London Liverpool Street to Norwich, London Liverpool Street to Cambridge and London Liverpool Street to Ipswich.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
5h 15m
Cheapest Price
£120
Abellio Greater Anglia frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
Two items of luggage per person included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated areas at ends of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies vary by ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar service on intercity routes with hot and cold drinks, snacks. No service on local routes.
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for First Class tickets.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs require a ticket (£6 flat fee). Guide dogs travel free.
Quiet zone
FAQs: Colchester to Preston train
FAQs: Travel by train from Colchester to Preston 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 Colchester to Preston.
The train distance from Colchester to Preston is 320 km.
Booking trains from Colchester to Preston in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
To get from Colchester to Preston, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
The train journey from Colchester to Preston covers a distance of 320 km and takes approximately 3h 55m. Trains run 2 per day.
The cost of a train ticket from Colchester to Preston can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £212, while the average price tends to be around £212.
The cheapest way to get from Colchester to Preston is by coach, costing approximately £76.
The train station in Colchester that goes to Preston is Colchester station (COL), and it arrives at Preston station (PRE).
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Colchester to Preston.
The first train from Colchester to Preston leaves at 5:12.
Yes, you can take the train from Colchester to Preston.
The last train from Colchester to Preston departs at 20:59.
Trains from Colchester to Preston run approximately 2 times per day.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Colchester to Preston.
There is no night train service from Colchester to Preston.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Colchester and Preston
Colchester
Preston
The major train station for departures in Colchester is Colchester. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Colchester for your trip from Colchester to Preston.
Amenities at train station
Wifi
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lost and Found Office
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Information Deskinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:00 - 22:00 Saturday 05:30 - 21:00 Sunday 06:00 - 21:00
Distance to city center
1 kmShopping
- Type of shops available: News agent Dry cleaner Passport Photo Booth
Parking
- Car Park: Premium Bays
Accessibility
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
WC
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on all platforms. The accessible (radar key) toilets are located on Platforms 2 and 4
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Situated by the South entrance, and in the main car park by the North entrance. A secure 134-space cycle compound is also available (key fob required, speak to station staff for availability).
- Storage CCTV: Yes
Information Desk
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
Public transport options for Colchester
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Replacement transport stop at the bus stop by main station entrance
Amenities at train station
WifiParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingInformation Deskinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:10 - 20:15 Saturday 07:00 - 18:45 Sunday Closed
Parking
- Car Park: There is a Council managed car park behind the station
Accessibility
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided
- Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
WC
- Toilets Location: Toilets are located alongside the ticket office and only open when the station is staffed.
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Within station, forecourt and on platform
- Storage CCTV: Yes
Information Desk
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78
Public transport options for Colchester Town
- Onward travel information: Colchester Town Station is around 5 minutes walk from Colchester Bus Station
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Town Railway Station Bus Stops (stop B) for planned rail replacement only.
Amenities at train station
ParkingAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeBike Parkinginformation
Distance to city center
1 kmParking
- Car Park: No
Accessibility
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Platforms
- Storage CCTV: No
Public transport options for Hythe (Essex)
- Onward travel information: Local Colchester Town service Buses stop near station
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Replacement bus services stop at station entrance adjacent to level crossing
The major train station for arrivals in Preston is Preston. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Preston for your journey to Preston from Colchester.
Amenities at train station
Wifi
LockersParkingDiningATM
TaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
Car RentalInformation Desk
Luggage Cartsinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- 5:30 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Friday
- 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday
Distance to city center
1 km
Number of platforms
6Wifi
- Free
Parking
- The car park is open 24 hours, located adjacent to the station with access from Butler Street.
Dining
- Rise
- The Olive Tree Brasserie
- Turtle Bay
Taxis
- Outside the main entrance.
Accessibility
- Elevators, ramps.
WC
- £0.30
Hotel
- Holiday Inn Express Preston - South
- Delta Hotels Preston
- Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel
Lost and Found Office
- Located in the main hall
Car Rental
- Enterprise
- Europcar
Information Desk
- Located in the main hall
Luggage Carts
- Free
Station Plan
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-3 for long-distance services
- Hall 2: platforms 4-6 for regional and local services
Public transport options for Preston
- Bus: Several lines available
- Train: Northern, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express services
More options for your journey from Colchester to Preston
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Preston and Colchester
Most popular train connections to Preston
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
