Preston to Rochdale train with Northern Rail

Thu 17 Sept
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Northern Rail
TransPennine Express
Northern Trains Limited
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
Northern Rail
TransPennine Express
Northern Trains Limited
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Preston to Rochdale

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 17 Sept

Cheapest price on 17 Sept

£10

Average ticket price on 17 Sept

£17

Fastest journey on 17 Sept

1 h 15 m

Average journey duration on 17 Sept

1 h 20 m

Trains on 17 Sept

6

Distance

41 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston to Rochdale is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Preston to Rochdale will cost around £17 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £10.

Fast trains

To travel from Preston to Rochdale you need to make at least one change.

  • Northern RailG89857 · P24143
    12:521h24
    Preston station (PRE)
    14:16Rochdale station (RCD)
    £101One-way
    1 change
  • Northern RailG89854 · L89262
    12:201h29
    Preston station (PRE)
    13:49Rochdale station (RCD)
    £111One-way
    1 change
  • Northern RailG88981 · L89704
    12:441h25
    Preston station (PRE)
    14:09Rochdale station (RCD)
    £131One-way
    1 change
  • Northern RailG89885 · L89332
    12:111h18
    Preston station (PRE)
    13:29Rochdale station (RCD)
    £181One-way
    1 change
  • Northern RailG89857 · P28801 · G89223
    12:521h17
    Preston station (PRE)
    14:09Rochdale station (RCD)
    £261One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train for Preston to Rochdale

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Rochdale among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £9 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 35m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £9, while a train costs an average of £9.

Distance: 41 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Driving

£9

Average Price

Cheapest

£8

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 35m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 5m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 1m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Northern Rail

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Preston to Rochdale is a train with an average price of £9.
The fastest way to travel from Preston to Rochdale is by train with an average journey time of 1h 5m.
Yes, you can take a train between Preston and Rochdale.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around £9 compared to roughly £8 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-1.03. The journey takes 1h 5m versus 1h 1m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.

Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.

Live departures

Preston to Rochdale train times

The table below shows live departures for Preston to Rochdale trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Northern RailG89885 · L8933212:11 Preston station (PRE)
1h18
13:29 Rochdale station (RCD)1 change
Northern RailG89854 · L8926212:20 Preston station (PRE)
1h29
13:49 Rochdale station (RCD)1 change
Northern RailG88981 · L89704
On time
12:44 Preston station (PRE)
1h25
14:09 Rochdale station (RCD)
1 change
Northern RailC32626+Transpennine ExpressW8490712:47 Preston station (PRE)
1h15
14:02 Rochdale station (RCD)1 change
Northern RailG89857 · P2414312:52 Preston station (PRE)
1h24
14:16 Rochdale station (RCD)1 change
Northern RailG89857 · P28801 · G8922312:52 Preston station (PRE)
1h17
14:09 Rochdale station (RCD)2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Preston to Rochdale by train

Compare train 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.

Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept

Why should you book Preston to Rochdale trains with Omio?

Northern Rail as well as TransPennine Express or Northern Trains Limited offer trains services from Preston to Rochdale.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Preston to Rochdale.

Why book with Omio vs Northern Rail?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Northern Rail, but also compare tickets for the likes of TransPennine Express or Northern Trains Limited to find the best option for your trip from Preston to Rochdale.
  • 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.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Preston to Rochdale

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Preston to Rochdale run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 5m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 05:25, the last at 23:16. The fastest train covers the 41 km distance in 1h 18m.

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
Distance
41 km
Average train duration
1h 5m
Cheapest ticket price
£9
Trains per day
9
Fastest train
1h 18m
First train
5:25
Last train
23:16
Cheapest Month
Sept
Cheapest Day
Fri
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Mon
Best time to book
28 days
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

Train companies: Northern Rail, TransPennine Express, Northern Trains Limited from Preston to Rochdale trainsNorthern Rail, TransPennine Express, Northern Trains Limited trains will get you between Preston and Rochdale from £9. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Northern Rail

About
Northern Trains is a publicly owned train operating company in the United Kingdom, headquartered in York. It runs local and commuter services across the north of England, connecting regions including the North East, North West, East Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and the Humber coastline. As part of the National Rail network, Northern operates under a coordinated fare and ticketing system alongside other UK train companies.Ticket types include Advance, Off-Peak, Anytime Day, single, return, and season tickets, with only one class option available: Standard. Onboard amenities may include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments on select services. Popular routes include connections between major northern cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Northern Rail Duration
1h 18m
Cheapest Northern Rail Price
£9
Luggage included
2 large items of luggage and 1 small hand luggage
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at end of carriages, under seats
Cancellation Policy
See refund policy for ticket types
Refund
Full refund if service canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service on most services with drinks and snacks. Some stations have cafes and shops
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available but not mandatory. Free of charge when booking advance tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, passenger assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

TransPennine Express

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average TransPennine Express Duration
1h 11m
Cheapest TransPennine Express Price
£19
TransPennine Express frequency
6 a day

Northern Trains Limited

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Northern Trains Limited Duration
1h 3m
Cheapest Northern Trains Limited Price
£21
Northern Trains Limited frequency
22 a day

Complete guide to Rochdale

Things to do in Rochdale

Discover the best of Rochdale — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Rochdale trip today.

  • Recommended

Touchstones Rochdale

Rochdale’s main museum explores local history, art and natural heritage inside a restored historic building in the town centre.

  • Recommended

East Lancashire Railway Heywood Station

A working heritage railway with exhibitions, restored carriages and station displays, popular for scenic steam journeys from Heywood.

  • Recommended

Rochdale Pioneers Museum

A local heritage venue covering the co-operative movement and social history linked with nearby Toad Lane and Rochdale pioneers.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK. Rochdale is usually cheaper than Manchester for hotels, meals and local transport, making it good value for day trips and short stays.

Average meal costs

Budget
£6-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£15-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£40+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.50-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis; cafés usually do not expect tips, but spare change is appreciated.

FAQs: Preston to Rochdale train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Rochdale 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 Rochdale, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Preston to Rochdale can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £9, while the average price tends to be around £9.
The train journey from Preston to Rochdale covers a distance of 41 km and takes approximately 1h 18m. Trains run 9 per day.
The train distance from Preston to Rochdale is 41 km.
The first train from Preston to Rochdale leaves at 5:25.
The last train from Preston to Rochdale departs at 23:16.
Trains from Preston to Rochdale run approximately 9 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Preston to Rochdale.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Preston to Rochdale.
To travel from Preston to Rochdale, you can take a train.
There is no night train service from Preston to Rochdale.
The train station in Preston that goes to Rochdale is Preston station (PRE), and it arrives at Rochdale station (RCD).
The cheapest way to get from Preston to Rochdale is by train, costing approximately £9.
Booking trains from Preston to Rochdale 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 Rochdale offers scenic views of the Lancashire countryside, including rolling hills and picturesque villages, providing a pleasant travel experience.
Yes, a day trip from Preston to Rochdale is feasible. The journey takes 1h 18m, covering a distance of 41 km. Trains run 5 times per day.
Typically, spending two to three days in Rochdale allows visitors to explore its local attractions, such as the Rochdale Town Hall, Touchstones Rochdale, and nearby countryside walks, while also experiencing its unique cultural offerings.
Yes, you can take the train from Preston to Rochdale.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Preston and Rochdale

Most Preston to Rochdale trains use the Preston to Rochdale station pair. Use this guide to compare Preston and Rochdale 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 Rochdale

Which Preston station do trains to Rochdale leave from?

Trains from Preston to Rochdale leave from Preston. The station is 1 km from Preston city centre at Fishergate, Preston PR1 8AP, United Kingdom.
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.

More options for your journey from Preston to Rochdale

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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