Manchester to Preston train with Northern Rail

Trains from Manchester to Preston

Every day, Northern Rail and First TransPennine Express cover the Manchester-to-Preston route, offering well over 40 direct services. Journey times average around 45 minutes. Travellers can save time and enjoy the most comfortable way to travel by taking a train from Manchester to Preston. 

Manchester to Preston train times: Daily departures

It doesn't matter when travellers need to get to Preston - rail connections will always be available. Passengers can expect a choice of 40-50 trains every day, with few variations on weekdays and weekends. Trains start as early as 6:00 a.m., and run until just before midnight. Between those times, there should be at least 2-3 departures every hour, and none of them will require a change.

How long is the journey by train from Manchester to Preston?

Long journeys won't be an issue when booking trains from Manchester to Preston. In fact, TransPennine and Northern Rail cover the 33-mile distance in as little as 35 minutes. Most services will take between 40 and 50 minutes, and the slowest direct trains take around an hour to reach Preston.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Manchester to Preston?

Departure train station: When travellers head from Manchester to Preston by train, services will depart from Manchester's Piccadilly or Victoria stations. Piccadilly is the larger of the two, offering plenty of shops, cafés, and other amenities. It also has the most frequent service to Preston, and is in the heart of the city. Victoria, handy for those in northern Manchester, can be reached from the centre by tram in 5 minutes.

Arrival train station: Most trains to Preston from Manchester will arrive at Preston Station. The station is around 200 metres southwest of the town centre, so walking is an option. Taxis to most central locations take 5-10 minutes. Luggage storage, cafés, ATMs, and toilets are all available for the convenience of travellers. Some trains also stop at Bamber Bridge, about 4 miles south of Preston.

Which train companies travel from Manchester to Preston?

Travellers can book train tickets to Preston with a couple of companies. Northern Rail is the major operator on the route, and First TransPennine Express provides an alternative.

First TransPennine Express Manchester to Preston

First TransPennine Express operates trains from Manchester to Preston from Manchester Picadilly. They make some of the fastest journeys, with many taking less than 40 minutes. However, expect only 5-10 direct options every day, far fewer than Northern Rail offers.

Northern Rail Manchester to Preston

Northern Rail provides the most frequent service from Manchester to Preston, scheduling at least 20 trains per day. Journey times vary from 45 minutes to an hour, and will almost always be longer than those offered by First TransPennine.

Manchester to Preston trains: Services on board

First TransPennine offers first-class bookings, which come with perks such as free pastries or biscuits, more space to unwind, and power sockets. Northern Rail also sells first-class tickets, but they come with slightly fewer benefits. Both companies provide WiFi and quiet spaces for professionals, as well as food and drink for all.

Luggage limits don't apply, although travellers are generally restricted to items they can carry on board. Northern Rail allows free bike transport, providing one of the two bike spaces is available on the service. With First TransPennine, bike spaces must be booked 24 hours in advance.

Those with pets can take two dogs on board First TransPennine trains, while smaller animals need to be carried in suitable containers. Northern Rail is similarly relaxed about dogs - they just need to be leashed.

Both companies provide assistance to passengers with disabilities, but it's a good idea for travellers to give them a call in advance to ensure that boarding and alighting can be carried out safely. Passengers in wheelchairs should be able to travel without any hassle.

How to find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Preston

Saving money should always be possible when travelling by train from Manchester to Preston - especially when travellers choose to book on the Omio platform. Passengers may note that First TransPennine services tend to be cheaper than Northern Rail, even though Northern Rail's journey times are longer.

Booking in advance can often be a good idea, as on-the-day purchases are always much more expensive. And group bookings are another possibility. For instance, Northern Rail offers 25% discounts for couples on some off-peak routes. Finally, passengers should check Omio for seasonal sales. They can occur at any time, and regularly slash ticket prices by 25-30%.