How to travel from Barnstaple to Preston, United Kingdom

The distance between Barnstaple and Preston is around 446km (277 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 4h 35m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Barnstaple to Preston by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out PrestonBarnstaple if you're planning a return trip.

1
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Exeter St Davids then Birmingham New Street and then to Preston.

  • Duration5h 10m
  • Departsevery 2 hours
  • Typical cost
    £140($165)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Birmingham Brunel Street and then to Bus Station.

  • Duration8h 30m
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £35($42)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Preston.

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Distance446km (277 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Barnstaple and Preston

There are several options for getting from Barnstaple to Preston by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £35 ($42) and will take around 8h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 4h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £78 ($90).

The distance between Barnstaple and Preston is around 446km (277 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 312km (194 miles)

It takes around 5h 10m to get from Barnstaple and Preston by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 35m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Barnstaple to Preston is to drive which takes around 4h 35m and will set you back approx £78 ($90).

The cheapest way to travel between Barnstaple and Preston, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £35 ($42) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Barnstaple and Preston. It typically takes around 5h 10m and departs every 2 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Barnstaple to Preston. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Exeter St Davids and Birmingham New Street. These services run every 2 hours and will take a minimum of 5h 10m.

Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales, Northern Rail and TransPennine Express Service run train services between Barnstaple and Preston. Trains depart every 2 hours and will take around 5h 10m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Barnstaple and Preston. It typically takes around 8h 30m and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Barnstaple to Preston. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Birmingham Brunel Street. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 8h 30m.

Megabus UK run regular bus services between Barnstaple and Preston. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 8h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Barnstaple to Preston. We recommend that you take the train to Exeter St Davids then Birmingham New Street and then to Preston. instead which will take 5h 10m.

The closest major airport to Preston is Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) (LPL) which is approximately 48km (30 miles) from Preston. Manchester Airport (MAN) (MAN) and Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) (LBA) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Barnstaple and Preston. The distance is around 446km (277 miles) by road and it will take around 4h 35m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Barnstaple to Preston is to take the train which takes, on average, 5h 10m and will usually cost around £140 ($165).

How do I get from Barnstaple to Preston

Compare travel optionsbetween Barnstaple and Preston

Transport options from Barnstaple to Preston
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
5h 10m
£140($165)
every 2 hours493km (306 miles)
Train via Exeter St Davids7h 50m
£165($195)
every 3 hours568km (353 miles)
Bus
8h 30m
£35($42)
6 times a week507km (315 miles)
Drive
4h 35m
£78($90)
on demand446km (277 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Barnstaple and Preston

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Preston

The following major airports near Preston offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

LPL
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
International Airport
Distance
48km (30 miles) from Preston
MAN
Manchester Airport (MAN)
International Airport
Distance
52km (32 miles) from Preston
LBA
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
International Airport
Distance
69km (43 miles) from Preston