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Sat
4 Dec
£6Northern Rail
£9National Express
Sun
5 Dec
£5Northern Rail
£9National Express
Mon
6 Dec
£5Northern Rail
£8National Express
Wed
8 Dec
£5First Transpennine Express
£8National Express

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Train Information between Preston and Manchester

distanceDistance27 miles (44 km)
durationAverage train duration36 min
priceAverage train ticket price£6 (€6)
frequencyTrain frequency25 a day
changesDirect trainYes, there are 25 direct trains a day
carriersTrain providersNorthern Rail or First Transpennine Express

Trains from Preston to Manchester cover the 27 miles (44 km) long journey taking on average 36 min with our travel partners like Northern Rail or First Transpennine Express. Normally, there are 25 trains operating per day, including direct services available. You can get the cheapest train tickets for this journey for as low as £5, but the average price of train tickets is £6. Travellers depart most frequently from Preston and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly.

Trains from Preston to Manchester

There are regular trains from Preston to Manchester throughout the day, starting at just after 04.00 a.m. After 7:00 a.m, trains run approximately every 10-25 minutes, until the evening when the last service leaves at around 23:30 p.m. Journey times vary, but most last between 40 minutes to 1 hour. Services generally run directly, with no changeovers. Train services between Preston and Manchester are provided by Northern Rail and TransPennine Express.

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

Departure Station: Preston station is located in the south-east of the town centre. It is a couple of minutes' walk from the main high street, and can be reached easily by public transport.

Arrival Station: Trains from Preston arrive at Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate, and Manchester Oxford Road. All are accessible on foot or public transport. Piccadilly and Deansgate are located in the city centre, with Piccadilly in the Northern Quarter, and Deansgate to the south-west in Spinningfields. The Oxford Road station is located near the University of Manchester, 20 minutes outside of the centre.

Taking the Train from Preston

Preston's grand Victorian station is located in the centre of town, right next to the Fishergate Shopping Centre. There is a bus stop just outside the main station entrance. Those coming from outside Preston can use the Park and Ride service, catching bus Z1 to reach the station. Buses 87, 89 and X2 also stop at the station, providing excellent access from all parts of town. A taxi rank can also be found outside the station entrance.

Getting into Manchester by Train

Manchester is the north-west's entertainment hub - with world-class sports attractions, theatre and musical events along with museums and galleries to enjoy. Most trains from Preston to Manchester will arrive at the city's Piccadilly Station. From there, it's a short walk to the centre of town, and trams can easily take visitors to nearby attractions like Old Trafford Football Ground. Those arriving at Manchester Victoria can use the Metrolink tram system to reach both the centre and outlying suburbs like Altrincham. For very early and late arrivals, taxis are easy to book, and night buses operate across the city.

Travel Tips

Trains from Preston to Manchester
Travel by train to Manchester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Preston to Manchester.
FAQs
How much does a cheap train from Preston to Manchester cost?
You can find a cheap train from Preston to Manchester for some dates and times for as low as £5  one way in the next 7 days.
How much is a train ticket from Preston to Manchester?
If you’re looking to purchase your train tickets in the next week, you can expect the Preston to Manchester train price to come in at an average of £6  one way.
What is the distance from Preston to Manchester via train?
You should expect to travel around 27 miles (44 km)  between Preston and Manchester by train.
How long is the train to Manchester from Preston?
The Preston to Manchester train duration is on average 36 min, which is to be expected when travelling 27 miles (44 km) from Preston to Manchester. However, the time it takes can vary based on specific dates, weekends, and bank holidays.
What station does the Preston to Manchester train leave from? Which Manchester train station do I come into from Preston?

Omio customers book a train from Preston   to Manchester Piccadilly   most frequently for this route.

Where is the departure train station in Preston located? Where is the arrival train station in Manchester located?

Passengers board their train most frequently from Preston and travel around 0.9 miles (1.4 km) from the city centre to this train station.

Passengers travelling this route most often arrive at Manchester Piccadilly and need to travel approximately 0.4 miles (587 m) from the train station to the city centre in Manchester.

What train companies offer a service from Preston to Manchester?
For the journey from Preston to Manchester you can take a train with Northern Rail or First Transpennine Express. Be sure to check out all possible train companies that offer services to Manchester from Preston on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.
How many trains per day are there between Preston and Manchester?
The average number of trains departing Preston for Manchester is 25 a day. The train schedules and services may vary between weekdays and weekends.
How far in advance should I purchase train tickets to Manchester from Preston for the best deals?
You can find a train to Manchester from Preston to cost on average £6 one way if you book within the next 7 days. But we recommend buying train tickets in advance to score the best deals and save money on your journey. You’ll see tickets for the Preston to Manchester train generally on sale a few months before the planned travel date.

Important Stations and Airports for this Journey

Preston
Manchester
The major railway station for departures from Preston is Preston. Read all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Preston for your trip between Preston and Manchester.