The cheapest and fastest trains from Preston to Edinburgh
Cheapest price
£41
Average price
£49
Fastest journey
2 h 24 m
Average duration
2 h 29 m
Trains per day
6
Distance
245 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston to Edinburgh is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Edinburgh will cost around £49 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £41.
Of the 6 trains that leave Preston for Edinburgh every day 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 245 km distance in an average of 2 h 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 24 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 34 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.
W10500
W10503
W10514
C26808
C26814
W10514
W10500
W10503
C26814
C26820Travel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Preston to Edinburgh
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Edinburgh among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 17m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £14, and a flight costs an average of £77.
Distance: 245 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£47 Average Price | £24 Average Price Cheapest | £177 Average Price |
3h 47m Average total duration Fastest 3h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 23m Average total duration 4h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 34m Average total duration 5h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.7 - 1.5kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Preston to Edinburgh train times
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Edinburgh trains for today, Monday 24 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W10500 | Delayed 09:58 09:54Preston station (PRE) | 2h26 | 12:20 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 changesdirect | |
C26814 | On time 10:59 Preston station (PRE) | 2h33 | 13:32 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 changesdirect | |
W10503 | On time 11:53 Preston station (PRE) | 2h26 | 14:19 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 changesdirect | |
C26808 | On time 12:59 Preston station (PRE) | 2h38 | 15:37 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 changesdirect | |
W10514 | On time 13:54 Preston station (PRE) | 2h24 | 16:18 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 changesdirect | |
C26820 | On time 09:03 Preston station (PRE) | 2h34 | 11:37 Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Preston to Edinburgh by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train 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.
25 Nov
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27 Nov
28 Nov
29 Nov
30 Nov
01 Dec
Journey information
Overview: Train from Preston to Edinburgh
Trains from Preston to Edinburgh run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £15 but you can travel from only £14 by coach.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:30, the last at 21:09. The fastest train covers the 245 km distance in 2h 24m.
Distance 245 km |
Average train duration 3h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 2h 24m |
First train 04:30 |
Last train 21:09 |
Train companies: TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, first_transpennine_express, Caledonian Sleeper from Preston to Edinburgh trainsTransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, first_transpennine_express, Caledonian Sleeper trains will get you between Preston and Edinburgh from £14. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
TransPennine Express
Avanti West Coast
CrossCountry
Caledonian Sleeper
first_transpennine_express
Trains from Preston to Edinburgh
Direct trains from Preston to Edinburgh are operated by First TransPennine Express and Virgin Trains. The route is direct and takes approximately 2 and 30 minutes. The first departure is just before 7:00 a.m. with trains leaving roughly every hour until around 9:00 p.m. There is a reduced service on Sundays.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Preston to Edinburgh?
Departure Station:Preston Station is a major west coast hub with a large car park, plentiful bicycle storage and a taxi rank located outside the main entrance. It is centrally located in the town and served by several local bus routes.
Arrival Station:Trains from Preston to Edinburgh arrive at Edinburgh Waverley Station. This elegant Victorian station can be found in the heart of the Old Town and has a car park, bicycle storage and a taxi rank. Waverley Station is linked to Edinburgh Airport by the Airlink 100 shuttle bus and is also on several local bus routes.
FAQs: Preston to Edinburgh train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Preston and Edinburgh
- 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 06:30 - 21:25 Saturday 06:30 - 21:25 Sunday 08:10 - 21:25
- Type of shops available: M&S Simply Food
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to all platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the automatic ticket gates Blue Badge parking bays: 2
- 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 Platform 1, the Concourse and near the entrance from Haymarket Terrace.
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Waiting rooms location: Inside the station - one on platform 4 and one on platform 2 and 3
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the layby in front of the station
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: No
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Ramp for train access: No
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from Platform 2 bus stop, adjacent to Herminston Gate
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Free public Wi-Fi available.
- You can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2.
- Type of shops available: Wide range of shops Passport Photo Booth
- Car Park: New Street: Long Stay
- Bagel Factory
- Burger King
- Caffè Nero
- Costa Coffee
- JD Wetherspoon
- The Pasty Shop
- The Beer House
- M&S
- Pret a Manger
- Taxi: Nearest Taxi Ranks are on Market St and Waverley Bridge outside the station.
- Accessible taxis: Taxi ranks are located on Waverley Bridge and also Market Street. Market Street can be accessed step free via available lifts.
- Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
- National key toilets: Yes
- National key toilets location: At entrance to Public Toilets
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Baby changing facilities location: Female toilets,Male toilets,
- Old Waverley Hotel
- Jurys Inn Edinburgh
- The Scotsman Hotel
- Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59
- Sun: 07:00 - 23:59
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Cycle storage can be found in the station: by the lift at Platform 2 (37 spaces) Platform 3 (68 Spaces) and adjacent to Platform 19 (86 Spaces). Additional cycle spaces are available in New Street car park (32 spaces).
- Storage CCTV: Yes
- Information booths are located on the concourse.
- Bus lines: 22, 30, 33, X22, X25, X37
- Train lines: Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, LNER, ScotRail, Transpennine Express
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off on Waterloo Place, pick up across from Apex Hotel and drop off outside the Apex Hotel.
- Metro: No metro available.
- Car Park: No
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the bus stop on Slateford Road at Platform 2 stair exit
- Opening hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday 06:10 - 00:10 Sunday 08:40 - 00:10
- Car Park: No
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 4
- 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
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located in the Waiting Shelter/Room. The toilet facilities are only available during ticket office opening hours.
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage CCTV: No
- Information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing)
- Passenger Information Systems: Announcements, Arrival screens
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Buses pick up/drop off from the bus stops outside the station
Most popular train connections from Preston
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