Preston to St Helens train with Northern Rail (3)

Fri, 07 Nov
+ Add return
Northern Rail (3)
TransPennine Express
first_transpennine_express
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Rail
1,000+ travel companies
Northern Rail (3)
TransPennine Express
first_transpennine_express
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Rail
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Preston to St Helens

Showing times and prices for 12 Nov

Cheapest price

£15

Average price

£16

Fastest journey

27 m

Average duration

33 m

Trains per day

2

Distance

35 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Preston to St Helens will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £15.

Fast trains

Of the 2 trains that leave Preston for St Helens every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 35 km distance in an average of 33 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 27 m .

The slowest trains will take 39 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.

TransPennine Express
06:040h27
Preston
06:31St Helens
£151One-way
0 changes
Northern Rail (3)
04:330h39
Preston
05:12St Helens
£171One-way
0 changes

Live departures

Preston to St Helens train times

The table below shows live departures for Preston to St Helens trains for today, Tuesday 11 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at 05:55
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
transpennine_express06:04 Preston
0h27
06:31 St Helens0 changesdirect
northern_rail14:28 Preston
0h33
15:01 St Helens0 changesdirect
Wednesday 12 November
northern_rail04:33 Preston
0h39
05:12 St Helens0 changesdirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Preston to St Helens 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.

Wed
12 Nov
Thu
13 Nov
Fri
14 Nov
Sat
15 Nov
Sun
16 Nov
Mon
17 Nov
Tue
18 Nov

Journey information

Overview: Train from Preston to St Helens

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Preston to St Helens run on average 3 times per day, taking around 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.

There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:27, the last at 23:44. The fastest train covers the 35 km distance in 26m.

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
35 km
Average train duration
29m
Cheapest ticket price
£15
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
2
Fastest train
26m
First train
00:27
Last train
23:44
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 (3), TransPennine Express, first_transpennine_express, Avanti West Coast from Preston to St Helens trainsNorthern Rail (3), TransPennine Express, first_transpennine_express, Avanti West Coast trains will get you between Preston and St Helens from £15. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Northern Rail (3)

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 Duration
33m
Cheapest Price
£11
Northern Rail (3) frequency
3 a day
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

About
Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
26m
Cheapest Price
£15
TransPennine Express frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

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 Duration
35m
Cheapest Price
£55
Avanti West Coast frequency
1 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

first_transpennine_express

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
26m
Cheapest Price
£23
first_transpennine_express frequency
2 a day

FAQs: Preston to St Helens train

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

FAQs
To fully experience St Helens, a stay of 2 to 3 days is ideal, allowing time to explore local attractions, parks, and cultural sites.
Booking trains from Preston to St Helens in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train distance from Preston to St Helens is 35 km.
The train journey from Preston to St Helens covers a distance of 35 km and takes approximately 26m. Trains run 3 per day.
Yes, there is a direct train between Preston and St Helens. The service operates 2 times per day, provided by Northern Rail (3), TransPennine Express, first_transpennine_express.
The cost of a train ticket from Preston to St Helens can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £15, while the average price tends to be around £16.
The first train from Preston to St Helens leaves at 0:27.
The cheapest way to get from Preston to St Helens is by train, costing approximately £15.
The last train from Preston to St Helens departs at 23:44.
The train station in Preston that goes to St Helens is Preston station (PRE), and it arrives at St Helens Central (SNH).
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Preston to St Helens.
Yes, you can take the train from Preston to St Helens.
Trains from Preston to St Helens run approximately 3 times per day.
To travel from Preston to St Helens, you can take a train.
There is no night train service from Preston to St Helens.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Preston and St Helens

Preston
St Helens
The major train station for departures in Preston is Preston. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Preston for your trip from Preston to St Helens.
Amenities at train station
WifiWifi
LockersLockers
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
HotelHotel
Lost and Found OfficeLost and Found Office
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
Bike ParkingBike Parking
Car RentalCar Rental
Information DeskInformation Desk
Luggage CartsLuggage Carts
information
phone
Phone Number
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 5:30 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Friday
  • 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday
  • 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
1 km
platformCount
Number of platforms
6
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free
Parking
Parking
  • The car park is open 24 hours, located adjacent to the station with access from Butler Street.
Dining
Dining
  • Rise
  • The Olive Tree Brasserie
  • Turtle Bay
Taxis
Taxis
  • Outside the main entrance.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Elevators, ramps.
WC
WC
  • £0.30
Hotel
Hotel
  • Holiday Inn Express Preston - South
  • Delta Hotels Preston
  • Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel
Lost and Found Office
Lost and Found Office
  • Located in the main hall
Car Rental
Car Rental
  • Enterprise
  • Europcar
Information Desk
Information Desk
  • Located in the main hall
Luggage Carts
Luggage Carts
  • Free
Station Plan
  • Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-3 for long-distance services
  • Hall 2: platforms 4-6 for regional and local services
Public transport options for Preston
  • Bus: Several lines available
  • Train: Northern, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express services

More options for your journey from Preston to St Helens

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

HomeTrainsTrain Times to St Helens Preston to St Helens train

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