Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) train with Avanti West Coast

Wed 23 Sept
+ Add return
CrossCountry
Lumo
West Midlands Trains
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
CrossCountry
Lumo
West Midlands Trains
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
QR-Code
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
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

The cheapest and fastest trains from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM)

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 23 Sept

Cheapest price on 23 Sept

£12

Average ticket price on 23 Sept

£22

Fastest journey on 23 Sept

1 h 48 m

Average journey duration on 23 Sept

1 h 48 m

Trains on 23 Sept

16

Distance

152 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) will cost around £22 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £12.

Fast trains

On Wed 23 Sept, we found 16 trains from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM), including 14 direct services.

These direct trains cover the 152 km distance in an average of 1 h 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 48 m .

The slowest trains will take 1 h 48 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 CoastW34265
    9:191h48
    Preston station (PRE)
    11:07Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £121One-way
    0 changes
  • Avanti West CoastW34207
    7:181h48
    Preston station (PRE)
    9:06Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £171One-way
    0 changes
  • Avanti West CoastW34271
    8:171h49
    Preston station (PRE)
    10:06Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £171One-way
    0 changes
  • Avanti West CoastW33861
    21:181h49
    Preston station (PRE)
    23:07Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £171One-way
    0 changes
  • Avanti West CoastW33999
    18:181h48
    Preston station (PRE)
    20:06Birmingham New Street (BHM)
    £171One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM)

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £24 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 32m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, while a train costs an average of £41.

Distance: 152 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£41

Average Price

£24

Average Price

Cheapest

£38

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 32m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 2m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 26m

Average total duration

3h 56m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 11m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) is a coach with an average price of £24.

This is compared to other travel options from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM):

A coach is £18 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) costing on average £41.

The fastest way to travel from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) is by train with an average journey time of 2h 2m.

Other travel options to Birmingham New Street (BHM) take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 56m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Preston station (PRE) and Birmingham New Street (BHM) including taking a train and coach.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 9m sooner (2h 2m by train vs 2h 11m by car). Tickets start at around £41 compared to roughly £38 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.

Direct services run with Avanti West Coast.

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

Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) train times

The table below shows live departures for Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) trains for tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Avanti West CoastW34004_W34251 · C013686:00 Preston station (PRE)
1h57
7:57 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Avanti West CoastW342077:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
9:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW342718:17 Preston station (PRE)
1h49
10:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW342659:19 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
11:07 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW3390310:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
12:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW3393311:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
13:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastC0136212:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
14:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW3406013:17 Preston station (PRE)
1h49
15:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW3416014:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
16:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW3412415:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
17:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastC0136516:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
18:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW0058717:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h49
19:07 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW3399918:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
20:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW3426819:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h48
21:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect
Avanti West CoastW34195 · W3421920:01 Preston station (PRE)
2h05
22:06 Birmingham New Street (BHM)1 change
Avanti West CoastW3386121:18 Preston station (PRE)
1h49
23:07 Birmingham New Street (BHM)0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) by train or coach

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.

Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept
Fri
25 Sept
Sat
26 Sept
Sun
27 Sept
Mon
28 Sept
Tue
29 Sept

Why should you book Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) trains with Omio?

CrossCountry as well as Lumo, West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and more offer trains services from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).

Why book with Omio vs CrossCountry?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for CrossCountry, but also compare tickets for the likes of Lumo, West Midlands Trains or Avanti West Coast to find the best option for your trip from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).
  • 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 CrossCountry with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Raileurope?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Lumo, West Midlands Trains or Avanti West Coast to find the best option for your trip from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).

Journey information

Overview: Train from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM)

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) run on average 10 times per day, taking around 2h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £14 but you can travel from only £11 by coach.

There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:18, the last at 20:19. The fastest train covers the 152 km distance in 1h 30m.

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 £11
Distance
152 km
Average train duration
2h 2m
Cheapest ticket price
£14
Trains per day
10
Direct trains
5
Fastest train
1h 30m
First train
6:18
Last train
20:19
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Sun
Best time to book
1 day
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 £11

Train companies: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Lumo, West Midlands Trains from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) trainsAvanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Lumo, West Midlands Trains trains will get you between Preston station (PRE) and Birmingham New Street (BHM) from £11. 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
1h 30m
Cheapest Avanti West Coast Price
£14
Avanti West Coast frequency
4 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
2h 7m
Cheapest CrossCountry Price
£18
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

Lumo

About
Lumo are an open access operator launched in 2021 owned by FirstGroup providing train travel from London to Scotland and the North-East of England. It runs between London and Edinburgh along the East Coast Main Line. Lumo trains offer 100% electric travel along with amenities like comforable seating, free WiFi & their LumoEats at-seat catering in their single Standard Class. Lumo offered two ticket types their advance tickets LumoFixed which are only valid on the date and train booked but are exchangeable prior to departure and their Anytime tickets which can be used on any Lumo train on the date of your ticket.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Lumo Duration
1h 52m
Cheapest Lumo Price
£29
Lumo frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
One piece of hand luggage and one piece of hold luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage storage areas at the end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refunds according to ticket type conditions
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light meals. First Class includes complimentary refreshments
Seat reservation
Seat reservation included with all tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces available, accessible toilets, and staff assistance for boarding
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs on leads allowed with fee
Quiet zone

West Midlands Trains

About
West Midlands Trains is a train operator based in the United Kingdom, providing services across the West Midlands region. It operates a variety of train types, including the Class 350 Desiro, Class 323 Electrostar, Class 170 Turbostar, and Class 172 Turbostar. These trains offer a range of onboard facilities, such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and air conditioning. Passengers can purchase a range of tickets, including single, return, and season tickets. The most popular routes operated by West Midlands Trains include Birmingham to London Euston, Birmingham to Wolverhampton, and Birmingham to Coventry.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average West Midlands Trains Duration
1h 40m
Cheapest West Midlands Trains Price
£55
West Midlands Trains frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated luggage areas
Cancellation Policy
According to ticket conditions
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for an additional fee
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs require a ticket at 50% of adult fare. Guide dogs travel free
Quiet zone

FAQs: Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) 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 Birmingham New Street (BHM), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £14, while the average price tends to be around £41.
The train journey from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) covers a distance of 152 km and takes approximately 1h 30m. Trains run 10 per day.
The train distance from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) is 152 km.
The first train from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) leaves at 6:18.
The last train from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) departs at 20:19.
Trains from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) run approximately 10 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).
Yes, there is a direct train between Preston station (PRE) and Birmingham New Street (BHM). The service operates 5 times per day, provided by Avanti West Coast.
There is no night train service from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).
The cheapest way to get from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) is by coach, costing approximately £11.
Booking trains from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Preston to Birmingham New Street offers varied scenery, with views of the rolling countryside, urban landscapes, and glimpses of the Peak District, providing a pleasant experience but not typically considered among the most scenic routes in the UK.
Yes, you can take the train from Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM).

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Preston station (PRE) and Birmingham New Street (BHM)

Most Preston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) trains use the Preston to Birmingham New Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Preston station (PRE) and Birmingham New Street (BHM) train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Preston
Arrival train stations in Birmingham
PrestonFishergate, Preston PR1 8AP, United Kingdom+44 345 748 4950WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation DeskLuggage Carts
City-centre transport

Getting to Preston from Preston city centre

Preston is 1 km from Preston city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus3, 2, 2A, 111, 111C · 13m · £8 · every ~36 min

Preston train station facilities and services

Preston has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.

Food and drink

Food options include: Rise, The Olive Tree Brasserie, Turtle Bay

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free. ATMs are available in the train station.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Preston. Information desks are located in the main hall.

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is available at Preston. Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Preston: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Preston: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Preston: Elevators, ramps.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Preston - South, Delta Hotels Preston, Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel.

Most popular trains to and from Birmingham New Street (BHM) and Preston station (PRE)

HomeTrainsTrains in United KingdomPreston station (PRE) to Birmingham New Street (BHM) train

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.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone