How to travel from Preston to Belfast, United Kingdom
The distance between Preston and Belfast is around 295km (183 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 15m.
10 routes found
We've found 10 different ways to get from Preston to Belfast by train, ferry, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Belfast → Preston if you're planning a return trip.
Train to Warrington Bank Quay, plane
Take the train to Warrington Bank Quay and then to Liverpool South Parkway then fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Belfast City (BHD).
- Duration2h 15m
- Flight time50min
- Typical cost£100($120)
Multiple operators
5 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Train and Ferry
Take the train to Liverpool Lime Street then take a ferry to Isle of Man Douglas and then to Belfast.
- Duration8hrs
- Departs3 times a week
- Typical cost£89($105)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Buchanan Bus Station and then to Cairnryan Stena Terminal then take a ferry to Belfast.
- Duration8h 35m
- Departsonce daily
- Typical cost£41($49)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Cairnryan then take a ferry to Belfast.
- Duration5h 50m
- Departsevery 4 hours
- Typical cost£56($66)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Preston and Belfast
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Preston to Belfast by train, ferry, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around £41 ($49) and will take around 8h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 2h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £100 ($120).
The distance between Preston and Belfast is around 295km (183 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 230km (143 miles)
It takes around 8hrs to get from Preston and Belfast by train and ferry.
The quickest way to get from Preston to Belfast is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 15m and will set you back approx £100 ($120).
The cheapest way to travel between Preston and Belfast is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around £41 ($49) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Preston and Belfast. We recommend that you take the train to Warrington Bank Quay and then to Liverpool South Parkway then fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Belfast City (BHD). instead which will take 2h 15m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Preston and Belfast. We recommend that you take the train to Warrington Bank Quay and then to Liverpool South Parkway then fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Belfast City (BHD). instead which will take 2h 15m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Preston to Belfast. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Belfast (Aldergrove) (BFS). instead which will take 3h 10m.
The closest major airport to Belfast is George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) (BHD) which is approximately 4km (3 miles) from Belfast. Belfast International Airport (BFS) (BFS) and City of Derry Airport (LDY) (LDY) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Preston to Belfast. We recommend that you take the train to Liverpool Lime Street then take a ferry to Isle of Man Douglas and then to Belfast. instead which will take 8hrs.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Preston to Belfast is to take the train and then take a ferry which takes, on average, 8hrs and will usually cost around £89 ($105).
Compare travel optionsbetween Preston and Belfast
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Train to Warrington Bank Quay, plane + 5 similar | 2h 15m | £100($120) | hourly | 320km (199 miles) |
| Train to Manchester Airport, Fly | 2h 40m | £130($155) | hourly | 346km (215 miles) |
| Train to Warrington Bank Quay, plane | 2h 60m | £105($125) | hourly | 367km (228 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 3h 10m | £82($95) | hourly | 394km (245 miles) |
| Train to Bradford Interchange, Fly | 3h 35m | £145($175) | hourly | 393km (244 miles) |
| Train, Plane and Bus | 3h 60m | £71($84) | hourly | 452km (281 miles) |
Train and Ferry + 1 similar | 8hrs | £89($105) | 3 times a week | 295km (183 miles) |
| Train, Bus and Ferry | 7h 5m | £95($110) | once daily | 528km (328 miles) |
Bus and Ferry | 8h 35m | £41($49) | once daily | 521km (324 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 5h 50m | £56($66) | every 4 hours | 393km (244 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Preston and Belfast
Train operators
First ScotRail Service
East Midlands Railways
Airlines
Aer Lingus
Bus companies
Dodds of Troon
Scottish Citylink
Aircoach
Ferry operators
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
Stena Line
Airports near Belfast
The following major airports near Belfast offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
- Distance
- 4km (3 miles) from Belfast
Belfast International Airport (BFS)
- Distance
- 20km (12 miles) from Belfast
City of Derry Airport (LDY)
- Distance
- 93km (58 miles) from Belfast