- Must visit
STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway
Museum of the Great Western Railway with locomotives, carriages, and hands-on displays in a restored railway building.
Cheapest price on 19 Sept
£45
Average ticket price on 19 Sept
£45
Fastest journey on 19 Sept
4 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 19 Sept
4 h 15 m
Trains on 19 Sept
1
Distance
254 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston to Swindon is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Swindon will cost around £45 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £45.
On Sat 19 Sept, we found 1 trains from Preston to Swindon, including 1 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 254 km distance in an average of 4 h 15 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 15 m .
The slowest trains will take 4 h 15 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.


Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Preston to Swindon among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £39 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 3m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £39, while a train costs an average of £66.
Distance: 254 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£66 Average Price | £39 Average Price Cheapest | £50 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 3h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 40m Average total duration 10h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Preston to Swindon:
A coach is £27 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Swindon costing on average £66.
Other travel options to Swindon take longer:
Coach takes on average 10h 10m.
Tickets start at around £66 compared to roughly £50 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-16.58. The journey takes 3h 33m versus 3h 28m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Swindon trains for tomorrow, Saturday 19 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:17 Preston | 4h15 | 11:32 Swindon | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach 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.
Trains from Preston to Swindon run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £49 but you can travel from only £32 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:28, the last at 20:11. The fastest train covers the 254 km distance in 4h 21m.
Distance 254 km |
Average train duration 3h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price £49 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 4h 21m |
First train 5:28 |
Last train 20:11 |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Swindon — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Swindon trip today.
Museum of the Great Western Railway with locomotives, carriages, and hands-on displays in a restored railway building.
Museum and art gallery exploring Swindon’s history, archaeology, and changing exhibitions near the town centre.
Volunteer-run transport museum with buses, cars, motorcycles, and local motoring history displays.
Large country park with woodland, lakes, trails, and family activities on the edge of west Swindon.
Restored railway shopping district with heritage buildings, outlet stores, and easy access to STEAM Museum.
Popular waterside park with a reservoir, circular walks, play areas, and links to local literary heritage.
A Wiltshire cured ham, usually sliced for sandwiches or salads. It is a long-standing county speciality prized for its mild cure and local heritage.
Small sausages traditionally made with pork from local farms. They are a classic Wiltshire butcher’s product, often served at breakfasts and pub meals.
A firm, crumbly cow’s milk cheese made in Wiltshire. It is one of the county’s best-known foods and is often eaten with bread, apples or pickles.
Well-regarded Italian restaurant serving pasta, pizza and seafood in a polished, family-friendly dining room.
Stylish modern Indian restaurant known for refined curries, grills and cocktails in a smart but relaxed setting near the town centre.
Established steakhouse and grill serving steaks, burgers and hearty British favourites in a lively, informal setting.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels are often cheaper than in London, but dining and rail fares can still add up for visitors.
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 small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Swindon Railway Station -> Swindon Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Preston to Swindon 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 Swindon, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Preston to Swindon trains use the Preston to Swindon station pair. Use this guide to compare Preston and Swindon train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Preston is 1 km from Preston city centre. Public transport options include:
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 options include: Rise, The Olive Tree Brasserie, Turtle Bay
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Preston. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Preston. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Preston: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Preston: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Preston: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Preston - South, Delta Hotels Preston, Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel.
Swindon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Swindon.
Wi-Fi is available at Swindon. ATMs are available at Swindon.
Ticket office support is available at Swindon.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Swindon: Parking, WC.
Available at Swindon: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Swindon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step Free Category A Station - This station has step free access to all platforms via subway and the lifts via the main entrance subway, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Accessible low-level Pay Phone is available at the station main concourse. Please request staff assistance if you need to, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available. Please request staff assistance, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need