The cheapest and fastest trains from Preston to Colchester
Cheapest price
£76
Average price
£76
Fastest journey
4 h 11 m
Average duration
4 h 11 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
320 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Colchester will cost around £76 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £76.
Of the 1 trains that leave Preston for Colchester every day 1 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 4 h 11 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 11 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.


Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Preston to Colchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £63. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 0m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £63, and a flight costs an average of £83.
Distance: 320 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£104 Average Price | £75 Average Price Cheapest | £160 Average Price |
3h 40m Average total duration 3h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 10m Average total duration 8h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Preston to Colchester train times
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 05:33 Preston | 3h43 | 09:16 Colchester | 3 changes | |
![]() | 06:00 Preston | 3h46 | 09:46 Colchester | 3 changes | |
![]() | 06:58 Preston | 3h38 | 10:36 Colchester | 3 changes | |
![]() | 08:01 Preston | 4h13 | 12:14 Colchester | 3 changes | |
![]() | 09:01 Preston | 3h45 | 12:46 Colchester | 3 changes |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Preston to Colchester by train, coach or flight
06 Nov
07 Nov
08 Nov
09 Nov
10 Nov
11 Nov
12 Nov
Journey information
Overview: Train from Preston to Colchester
Distance 320 km |
Average train duration 3h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price £72 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 3h 46m |
First train 05:12 |
Last train 20:59 |
Train companies: Avanti West Coast from Preston to Colchester trainsAvanti West Coast trains will get you between Preston and Colchester from £63. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Avanti West Coast
FAQs: Preston to Colchester train

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Preston and Colchester
- 5:30 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Friday
- 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24 hours, located adjacent to the station with access from Butler Street.
- Rise
- The Olive Tree Brasserie
- Turtle Bay
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- £0.30
- Holiday Inn Express Preston - South
- Delta Hotels Preston
- Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-3 for long-distance services
- Hall 2: platforms 4-6 for regional and local services
- Bus: Several lines available
- Train: Northern, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express services
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:00 - 22:00 Saturday 05:30 - 21:00 Sunday 06:00 - 21:00
- Type of shops available: News agent Dry cleaner Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: Premium Bays
- 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
- 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
- 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 available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Replacement transport stop at the bus stop by main station entrance
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:10 - 20:15 Saturday 07:00 - 18:45 Sunday Closed
- Car Park: There is a Council managed car park behind the station
- 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
- 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
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Within station, forecourt and on platform
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78
- 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.
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