Maidenhead to Preston train with Avanti West Coast

Fri 18 Sept
+ Add return
Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry
Elizabeth Line (TfL)
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry
Elizabeth Line (TfL)
Great Western Railway (GWR)
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Maidenhead to Preston

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£99

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£99

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

4 h 18 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

4 h 18 m

Trains on 18 Sept

1

Distance

284 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Maidenhead to Preston will cost around £99 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £99.

Fast trains

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 1 trains from Maidenhead to Preston, including 1 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 284 km distance in an average of 4 h 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 18 m .

The slowest trains will take 4 h 18 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.

  • CrossCountry
    10:344h18
    Maidenhead
    14:52Preston
    £991One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train for Maidenhead to Preston

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Maidenhead to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £223 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 52m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £223, while a train costs an average of £223.

Distance: 284 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Driving

£223

Average Price

Cheapest

£55

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

3h 52m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 22m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 20m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Maidenhead to Preston is a train with an average price of £223.
The fastest way to travel from Maidenhead to Preston is by train with an average journey time of 3h 22m.
Yes, you can take a train between Maidenhead and Preston.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 58m sooner (3h 22m by train vs 4h 20m by car). Tickets start at around £223 compared to roughly £55 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Maidenhead to Preston train times

The table below shows live departures for Maidenhead to Preston trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
CrossCountry16:43 Maidenhead
4h08
20:51 Preston0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Maidenhead to Preston by train

Compare train 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.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Maidenhead to Preston trains with Omio?

Avanti West Coast as well as CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line (TfL), Great Western Railway (GWR) and more offer trains services from Maidenhead to Preston.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Maidenhead 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 CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line (TfL) or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Maidenhead 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.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line (TfL) or Great Western Railway (GWR) to find the best option for your trip from Maidenhead to Preston.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Maidenhead to Preston

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Maidenhead to Preston run on average 5 times per day, taking around 3h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £183 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 02:37, the last at 20:25. The fastest train covers the 284 km distance in 3h 50m.

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
Distance
284 km
Average train duration
3h 22m
Cheapest ticket price
£183
Trains per day
5
Fastest train
3h 50m
First train
2:37
Last train
20:25
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Jul - Sept
Busiest Day
Tue
Least Busy Day
Tue
Best time to book
42 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

Train companies: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line (TfL), Great Western Railway (GWR) from Maidenhead to Preston trainsAvanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Elizabeth Line (TfL), Great Western Railway (GWR) trains will get you between Maidenhead and Preston from £183. 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 Avanti West Coast Duration
3h 41m
Cheapest Avanti West Coast Price
£49
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

CrossCountry

About
CrossCountry is a fast-speed train operator in the United Kingdom, offering both express and regional services across the country. Express services, such as the CrossCountry Voyager and XC Trains, provide quick and comfortable journeys with amenities like free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. Regional services, including the CrossCountry Regional and Regional Express, make more local stops for a leisurely trip. Ticket options include Standard Class and First Class, as well as Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak fares to suit different budgets and schedules. Popular routes include London to Birmingham, Manchester to Edinburgh, and Bristol to Reading.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average CrossCountry Duration
4h 7m
Cheapest CrossCountry Price
£99
CrossCountry frequency
3 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage storage areas at ends of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies vary by ticket type
Refund
Full refund provided for canceled services
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for additional fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free, larger dogs require ticket
Quiet zone

Elizabeth Line (TfL)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Elizabeth Line (TfL) Duration
3h 50m
Cheapest Elizabeth Line (TfL) Price
£183
Elizabeth Line (TfL) frequency
11 a day

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Great Western Railway (GWR) Duration
4h 6m
Cheapest Great Western Railway (GWR) Price
£192
Great Western Railway (GWR) frequency
1 a day

Complete guide to Preston

Things to do in Preston

Discover the best of Preston — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Preston trip today.

  • Must visit

The Harris

Major city museum and library in a landmark building, known for art, history and regular exhibitions in the Harris Quarter.

  • Recommended

The Egypt Centre

Museum on the University of Central Lancashire campus with Egyptology, archaeology and world cultures collections in a compact gallery.

  • Recommended

Ribble Steam Railway and Museum

Volunteer-run transport museum at Ribble Steam Railway, featuring Preston’s industrial and rail heritage with locomotives and exhibits.

Pound sterling (£)

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.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple lunch.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.80-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

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.

FAQs: Maidenhead to Preston train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Maidenhead 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 Maidenhead to Preston can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £183, while the average price tends to be around £223.
The train journey from Maidenhead to Preston covers a distance of 284 km and takes approximately 3h 50m. Trains run 5 per day.
The train distance from Maidenhead to Preston is 284 km.
The first train from Maidenhead to Preston leaves at 2:37.
The last train from Maidenhead to Preston departs at 20:25.
Trains from Maidenhead to Preston run approximately 5 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Maidenhead to Preston.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Maidenhead to Preston.
To travel from Maidenhead to Preston, you can take a train.
There is no night train service from Maidenhead to Preston.
The train station in Maidenhead that goes to Preston is Maidenhead station (MAI), and it arrives at Preston station (PRE).
The cheapest way to get from Maidenhead to Preston is by train, costing approximately £183.
Booking trains from Maidenhead 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 Maidenhead to Preston offers a mix of urban and rural scenery, passing through the picturesque countryside of the Chiltern Hills and the rolling landscapes of the Midlands, making it a visually appealing route.
A day trip from Maidenhead to Preston is not feasible as the journey takes 3h 50m one way. There are 4 trains available per day.
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 Maidenhead to Preston.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Maidenhead and Preston

Most Maidenhead to Preston trains use the Maidenhead to Preston station pair. Use this guide to compare Maidenhead and Preston train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Maidenhead
Arrival train stations in Preston

Which Maidenhead station do trains to Preston leave from?

Trains from Maidenhead to Preston leave from Maidenhead. The station is 1 km from Maidenhead city centre at Maidenhead station, Station Approach, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1EW.
MaidenheadMaidenhead station, Station Approach, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1EW+44 3451652030WifiShoppingParkingDiningAccessibilityWCLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
City-centre transport

Getting to Maidenhead from Maidenhead city centre

Bus127, 7A, 3, 8 · 3m · £4 · every ~15 min

Maidenhead train station facilities and services

Maidenhead has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Maidenhead.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Maidenhead.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Maidenhead.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Maidenhead: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Maidenhead: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Maidenhead: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step-free category B1 station - this station has a degree of step-free access to the platforms. Platforms 2 to 5 are accessed via the lifts from the subway. Platform 1 is only step free accessible via the Shoppenhangers Road Car Park, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Yes, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available. Please request staff assistance, 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: Yes.

More options for your journey from Maidenhead to Preston

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

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