How to get to Preston from Ipswich

Mon 02 Nov
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Greater Anglia
Northern Rail
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Travel Information

Compare coach, train and flight for Ipswich to Preston

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Ipswich to Preston among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £86 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 29m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £86, while a flight costs an average of £537.

Distance: 322 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Flight
Driving

£130

Average Price

£86

Average Price

Cheapest

£537

Average Price

£64

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 29m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 59m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

9h 46m

Average total duration

9h 16m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 35m

Average total duration

2h 35m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

4h 51m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Loganair

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Compare ways to travel from Ipswich to Preston

Compare the available ways to get from Ipswich to Preston, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.

The cheapest way to travel from Ipswich to Preston is a coach with an average price of £86.

This is compared to other travel options from Ipswich to Preston:

A coach is £44 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ipswich to Preston costing on average £130.

A coach is £451 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ipswich to Preston costing on average £537.

The fastest way to travel from Ipswich to Preston is by train with an average journey time of 4h 29m.

Other travel options to Preston take longer:

Flight takes on average 4h 35m.

Coach takes on average 9h 46m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Ipswich and Preston including taking a coach, train and flight.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 52m sooner (3h 59m by train vs 4h 51m by car). Tickets start at around £130 compared to roughly £64 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Travel options
from Ipswich to Preston

How to get to Preston from Ipswich by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Ipswich to Preston is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Greater Anglia
    3 changes

Cheapest

  • Greater Anglia
    3 changes

Fastest

  • Greater Anglia
    3 changes

Other options

  • Greater Anglia
    2 changes
  • Greater Anglia
    2 changes
  • Greater Anglia
    2 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

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.

Train
Coach

Best day trips from Preston by train

The most popular day trips by train from Preston are Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Lancaster and Leeds. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Preston on Omio.

A view of Manchester

Day trip from Preston to Manchester by train

Why visit Manchester for the day?

Manchester is known for its industrial heritage, influential music and deep football culture. Red-brick canalside areas, major museums and lively nightlife give it an energetic northern character.

A view of Liverpool

Day trip from Preston to Liverpool by train

Why visit Liverpool for the day?

Liverpool is known for The Beatles, football and a waterfront shaped by its maritime past. Its grand docks, museums and lively city centre give it a proud, creative character.

A view of Blackpool

Day trip from Preston to Blackpool by train

Why visit Blackpool for the day?

Blackpool is a classic Lancashire seaside resort known for its piers, ballroom heritage and the Blackpool Illuminations. The long promenade and Blackpool Tower give the town a lively, traditional holiday feel.

A view of Lancaster

Day trip from Preston to Lancaster by train

Why visit Lancaster for the day?

Lancaster is known for its castle, Georgian architecture and ties to the House of Lancaster. Its compact centre, River Lune setting and student energy give the city a historic yet easy-going feel.

A view of Leeds

Day trip from Preston to Leeds by train

Why visit Leeds for the day?

Leeds is a major West Yorkshire city known for Victorian arcades, shopping and a lively music scene. Its industrial heritage, regenerated waterfront and large student population give it an energetic but down-to-earth character.

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FAQs: Ipswich to Preston

Travel to Preston 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 Ipswich to Preston.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Ipswich and Preston including taking a coach, train and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Ipswich to Preston is a coach with an average price of £86.

This is compared to other travel options from Ipswich to Preston:

A coach is £44 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ipswich to Preston costing on average £130.

A coach is £451 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Ipswich to Preston costing on average £537.

The fastest way to travel from Ipswich to Preston is by train with an average journey time of 4h 29m.

Other travel options to Preston take longer:

Flight takes on average 4h 35m.

Coach takes on average 9h 46m.

The Ipswich to Preston distance is approximately 322 km.
The average frequency per day from Ipswich to Preston is:
  • Around 8 trains per day.
  • Around 3 coaches per day.
  • Around 1 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Ipswich and Preston as scheduled services by coach, train and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Ipswich to Preston:
  • Flights mostly depart from Norwich International Airport and arrive in Manchester Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Ipswich station (IPS) and arrive in Preston station (PRE).
  • Coaches mostly depart from Ipswich, Quadling Street (Cardinal Park Cinema) and arrive in Preston, Bus Station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Ipswich to Preston, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Northern Rail, East Midlands Railway, Lumo to go to Preston by train.
  • Travel with National Express to go to Preston by coach.
  • Travel with Loganair to go to Preston by flight.
Omio customers who travel from Ipswich to Preston often also extend their vacation to go to London, Manchester Piccadilly (MAN), London Euston (EUS), Manchester, Manchester Oxford Road (MCO). Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Preston and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from Ipswich to Preston, you can choose from several travel options including coach, train and flight.
To fully explore Preston's key attractions, such as the Harris Museum, Avenham and Miller Parks, and the Ribble Steam Railway, a stay of two to three days is recommended.

Travelling from Ipswich to Preston: related information

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

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to PrestonHow to get to Preston from Ipswich

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