How to travel from Derby to Preston, United Kingdom

The distance between Derby and Preston is around 160km (100 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1h 45m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Derby 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 PrestonDerby if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Crewe and then to Preston.

  • Duration1h 55m
  • Departsevery 2 hours
  • Typical cost
    £44($52)
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
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Manchester Shudehill Interchange and then to Preston City Centre Bus Station.

  • Duration3h 30m
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £24($28)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Preston.

  • Duration1h 45m
  • Distance160km (100 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Derby and Preston

There are several options for getting from Derby to Preston by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £24 ($28) and will take around 3h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £28 ($33).

The distance between Derby and Preston is around 160km (100 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 124km (77 miles)

It takes around 1h 55m to get from Derby and Preston by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 45m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Derby to Preston is to drive which takes around 1h 45m and will set you back approx £28 ($33).

The cheapest way to travel between Derby and Preston, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £24 ($28) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Derby and Preston. It typically takes around 1h 55m and departs every 2 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Derby to Preston. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Crewe. These services run every 2 hours and will take a minimum of 1h 55m.

East Midlands Railways, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and Northern Rail run train services between Derby and Preston. Trains depart every 2 hours and will take around 1h 55m, 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 Derby and Preston. It typically takes around 3h 30m and departs 3 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Derby to Preston. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Manchester Shudehill Interchange. These services run 3 times a week and will take a minimum of 3h 30m.

Megabus UK and FlixBus run regular bus services between Derby and Preston. Buses run 3 times a week and take around 3h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Derby to Preston. We recommend that you take the train to Crewe and then to Preston. instead which will take 1h 55m.

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 Derby and Preston. The distance is around 160km (100 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 45m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Derby to Preston is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 55m and will usually cost around £44 ($52).

How do I get from Derby to Preston

Compare travel optionsbetween Derby and Preston

Transport options from Derby to Preston
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
1h 55m
£44($52)
every 2 hours163km (101 miles)
Train via Leeds2h 55m
£72($85)
hourly216km (134 miles)
Bus
3h 30m
£24($28)
3 times a week185km (115 miles)
Drive
1h 45m
£28($33)
on demand160km (100 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Derby and Preston

Train operators

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