Luton to Preston train with Avanti West Coast

Sun 31 May
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Avanti West Coast
East Midlands Railway
Thameslink
east_midlands_trains
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
Avanti West Coast
East Midlands Railway
Thameslink
east_midlands_trains
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Luton to Preston

Showing times and prices for 31 May

Cheapest price

£85

Average price

£86

Fastest journey

4 h 32 m

Average duration

5 h 18 m

Trains per day

2

Distance

261 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Luton to Preston is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Luton to Preston will cost around £86 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £85.

Fast trains

Of the 2 trains that leave Luton 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 261 km distance in an average of 5 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 32 m .

The slowest trains will take 6 h 4 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.

  • Avanti West Coast
    8:536h04
    Luton
    14:57Preston
    £851One-way
    0 changes
  • East Midlands Railway
    9:314h32
    Luton
    14:03Preston
    £861One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Luton to Preston

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Luton to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £13. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £13, and a flight costs an average of £55.

Distance: 261 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Flight

£82

Average Price

£30

Average Price

Cheapest

£135

Average Price

3h 42m

Average total duration

3h 12m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 9m

Average total duration

6h 39m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 5m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 5m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

British Airways

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Luton to Preston train times

The table below shows live departures for Luton to Preston trains for today, Saturday 30 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
East Midlands RailwayC04213+Avanti West CoastW33680+Transpennine ExpressW85183+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston8:26 Luton station (LUT)
4h31
12:57 Preston station (PRE)3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC41864 · C21552+Avanti West CoastW33454+CrossCountryG00957
On time
8:40 Luton station (LUT)
4h45
13:25 Preston station (PRE)
4 changes
Avanti West CoastW33454+ThameslinkX56130+Northern RailG89593+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston
Delayed
8:56 8:43Luton station (LUT)
4h42
13:25 Preston station (PRE)
3 changes
Avanti West CoastW33379+East Midlands RailwayC04216+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston
Delayed
9:10 8:56Luton station (LUT)
4h32
13:28 Preston station (PRE)
2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04219+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW33501+Transpennine ExpressW85190
On time
9:26 Luton station (LUT)
4h34
14:00 Preston station (PRE)
3 changes
Avanti West CoastW33519+Northern RailG89602+East Midlands RailwayC41870 · C21554
Delayed
11:10 9:40Luton station (LUT)
4h45
14:25 Preston station (PRE)
4 changes
Avanti West CoastW33738+East Midlands RailwayC04221+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston
Delayed
10:12 9:56Luton station (LUT)
4h35
14:31 Preston station (PRE)
2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04226+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW33564+Transpennine ExpressW85193
On time
10:26 Luton station (LUT)
4h34
15:00 Preston station (PRE)
3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC41876 · W70867 · W70968+Transpennine ExpressW84685
On time
10:40 Luton station (LUT)
4h20
15:00 Preston station (PRE)
4 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04227+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW33773
On time
10:55 Luton station (LUT)
4h34
15:29 Preston station (PRE)
2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04227+Avanti West CoastW33777+Northern RailG89614+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston
On time
10:55 Luton station (LUT)
4h30
15:25 Preston station (PRE)
3 changes
Avanti West CoastW33792+Transpennine ExpressW85194+East Midlands RailwayC04231+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston11:26 Luton station (LUT)
4h36
16:02 Preston station (PRE)3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC41882 · W70873 · C21566+Transpennine ExpressW84691
On time
11:40 Luton station (LUT)
4h22
16:02 Preston station (PRE)
4 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04234+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW33793
On time
11:56 Luton station (LUT)
4h33
16:29 Preston station (PRE)
2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04236+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW33675+Transpennine ExpressW85202
On time
12:26 Luton station (LUT)
4h35
17:01 Preston station (PRE)
3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC41889 · W70878 · C21567+Transpennine ExpressW84698
On time
12:40 Luton station (LUT)
4h21
17:01 Preston station (PRE)
4 changes
ThameslinkX56114+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW33516+Northern RailG89546
On time
12:43 Luton station (LUT)
4h45
17:28 Preston station (PRE)
3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04241+Avanti West CoastW33395+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston
On time
12:56 Luton station (LUT)
4h34
17:30 Preston station (PRE)
2 changes
East Midlands RailwayC04244+TubeTube from London St Pancras International to London Euston+Avanti West CoastW33436+Transpennine ExpressW85204
On time
13:26 Luton station (LUT)
4h33
17:59 Preston station (PRE)
3 changes
East Midlands RailwayC41894 · C21556 · C21569+Transpennine ExpressW84704
On time
13:40 Luton station (LUT)
4h19
17:59 Preston station (PRE)
4 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Luton to Preston by train, coach or flight

Compare train, coach and flight 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.

Sun
31 May
Mon
01 Jun
Tue
02 Jun
Wed
03 Jun
Thu
04 Jun
Fri
05 Jun
Sat
06 Jun

Why should you book Luton to Preston trains with Omio?

Avanti West Coast as well as East Midlands Railway, Thameslink, east_midlands_trains and more offer trains services from Luton to Preston.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Luton to Preston.

Why book with Omio vs Avanti West Coast?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Avanti West Coast, but also compare tickets for the likes of East Midlands Railway, Thameslink or east_midlands_trains to find the best option for your trip from Luton to Preston.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Avanti West Coast with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Luton to Preston.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Raileurope or Rome2rio?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of East Midlands Railway, Thameslink or east_midlands_trains to find the best option for your trip from Luton to Preston.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Luton to Preston.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Luton to Preston

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Luton to Preston run on average 7 times per day, taking around 3h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £32 but you can travel from only £13 by coach.

The earliest train runs at 05:04, the last at 21:40. The fastest train covers the 261 km distance in 3h 13m.

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 £13
Distance
261 km
Average train duration
3h 12m
Cheapest ticket price
£32
Trains per day
7
Fastest train
3h 13m
First train
5:04
Last train
21:40
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Sat
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Sat
Best time to book
3 days
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 £13

Train companies: Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Thameslink, east_midlands_trains from Luton to Preston trainsAvanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Thameslink, east_midlands_trains trains will get you between Luton and Preston from £13. 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 13m
Cheapest Price
£32
Avanti West Coast frequency
5 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

East Midlands Railway

About
East Midlands Trains is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West. East Midlands Trains operates a fleet of Class 158, Class 156, Class 170, Class 222 and Class 180 diesel multiple units, as well as Class 222 Meridian electric multiple units. East Midlands Trains also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for East Midlands Trains are London to Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
4h 22m
Cheapest Price
£85
East Midlands Railway frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for Advance ticket holders
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs must be on lead and require a ticket (£6 for day ticket)
Quiet zone

Thameslink

About
Thameslink is a train service that operates in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Govia Thameslink Railway and serves the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, London, and Surrey. The trains run from early morning until late at night, with some services running 24 hours a day. There are a variety of train types available, including Class 700 Desiro City, Class 377 Electrostar, Class 387/1 Electrostar, and Class 319/0. Ticket types include Anytime, Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. The most popular routes for Thameslink are London to Brighton, London to Bedford, and London to Luton.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
3h 17m
Cheapest Price
£111
Thameslink frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund available if service is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on some routes offering drinks and snacks
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets free of charge. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

east_midlands_trains

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 42m
Cheapest Price
£96
east_midlands_trains frequency
15 a day

FAQs: Luton to Preston train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Luton to Preston by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Preston, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Luton to Preston can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £32, while the average price tends to be around £82.
The train journey from Luton to Preston covers a distance of 261 km and takes approximately 3h 13m. Trains run 7 per day.
The train distance from Luton to Preston is 261 km.
The first train from Luton to Preston leaves at 5:04.
The last train from Luton to Preston departs at 21:40.
Trains from Luton to Preston run approximately 7 times per day.
Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Luton to Preston.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Luton to Preston.
To get from Luton to Preston, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
There is no night train service from Luton to Preston.
The train station in Luton that goes to Preston is Luton station (LUT), and it arrives at Preston station (PRE).
The cheapest way to get from Luton to Preston is by coach, costing approximately £13.
Booking trains from Luton to Preston in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Luton to Preston offers a mix of urban and countryside views, passing through the scenic landscapes of the Midlands and the rolling hills of the North West. While not among the most scenic routes in the UK, it provides pleasant views of the English countryside.
A day trip from Luton to Preston is not feasible, as the journey takes 3h 13m one way. Trains run 6 times per day over a distance of 261 km.
To fully explore Preston's key attractions, such as the Harris Museum, Avenham and Miller Parks, and the Ribble Steam Railway, a stay of two to three days is recommended.
Yes, you can take the train from Luton to Preston.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Luton and Preston

Luton
Preston
The major train station for departures in Luton is Luton. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Luton for your trip from Luton to Preston.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Car RentalCar Rental
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:45 - 21:45 Saturday 05:45 - 22:00 Sunday 06:45 - 21:45
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Station Road Car Park
Taxis
Taxis
  • Taxi: YES
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: This is a Category B3 station: Step free access via lift to platform 5 only (some trains to Bedford/ the East Midlands) only. Steps to all other platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office. This station doesn't have tactile surfaces along all platform edges. Please pay attention to where the platform surface changes from smooth to paved or contact us for assistance.
  • Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
  • Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details
  • Accessible toilets: Yes
  • Ramp for train access: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed
  • Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
WC
WC
  • Toilets Location: Available during staffing hours
  • National key toilets: Yes
  • Baby changing facilities: No
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: There are heated waiting areas on platforms 1 to 4
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • Storage sheltered: Yes
  • Storage location: Front and rear entrances
  • Storage CCTV: Yes
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
ShoppingShopping
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
LoungeLounge
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Car RentalCar Rental
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:00 - 00:30 Saturday 06:30 - 00:00 Sunday 07:30 - 00:00
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
1 km
Shopping
Shopping
  • Type of shops available: Coffee shops
Parking
Parking
  • Car Park: Station Car Park
Taxis
Taxis
  • Taxi: YES
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Staff help available: Yes
  • Step free access coverage: Yes
  • Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms via lifts. Assistance Meeting Point is the Ticket Office.
  • Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
  • Accessible ticket machines note: All Thameslink ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details
  • Accessible toilets: Yes
  • Ramp for train access: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available: Yes
  • Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed
  • Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
WC
WC
  • National key toilets: Yes
  • Baby changing facilities: Yes
Lounge
Lounge
  • Waiting rooms location: There is a heated waiting area on platforms 2 and 3 and also adjacent to platform 4
Bike Parking
Bike Parking
  • Storage sheltered: Yes
  • Storage location: Front of station and Kimpton Road
  • Storage CCTV: Yes

More options for your journey from Luton to Preston

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

HomeTrainsTrain Times to Preston Luton to Preston train

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