How to travel from Preston to Cambridge, United Kingdom

The distance between Preston and Cambridge is around 280km (174 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 20m.

8 routes found

We've found 8 different ways to get from Preston to Cambridge by train, 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 CambridgePreston if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
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plane
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Cambridge (CBG).

  • Duration2h 20m
  • Flight time45min
  • Typical cost
    £185($220)
Operated by

Multiple operators

3 similiar routes

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

2
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to London Euston and then to Cambridge.

  • Duration4hrs
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £120($140)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Birmingham Navigation Street and then to Cambridge Fair Street.

  • Duration5h 45m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £31($37)
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Cambridge.

  • Duration3h 20m
  • Distance324km (202 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Preston and Cambridge

There are several options for getting from Preston to Cambridge by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £31 ($37) and will take around 5h 45m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 2h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £185 ($220).

The distance between Preston and Cambridge is around 280km (174 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 256km (159 miles)

It takes around 4hrs to get from Preston and Cambridge by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 20m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Preston to Cambridge is to take the train and then fly which takes around 2h 20m and will set you back approx £185 ($220).

The cheapest way to travel between Preston and Cambridge, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £31 ($37) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Preston and Cambridge. It typically takes around 4hrs and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Preston to Cambridge. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Euston and King's Cross St. Pancras station. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4hrs.

Avanti West Coast, Great Northern, Thameslink and CrossCountry run train services between Preston and Cambridge. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4hrs, 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 Preston and Cambridge. It typically takes around 5h 45m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Preston to Cambridge. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Birmingham Navigation Street. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 5h 45m.

Megabus UK run regular bus services between Preston and Cambridge. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 5h 45m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Preston to Cambridge. We recommend that you take the train to Manchester Airport then fly from Manchester (MAN) to Cambridge (CBG). instead which will take 2h 20m.

The closest major airport to Cambridge is Cambridge Airport (CBG) (CBG) which is approximately 4km (2 miles) from Cambridge. London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) and London Luton Airport (LTN) (LTN) 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 Preston and Cambridge. The distance is around 324km (202 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 20m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Preston to Cambridge is to take the train which takes, on average, 4hrs and will usually cost around £120 ($140).

How do I get from Preston to Cambridge

Compare travel optionsbetween Preston and Cambridge

Transport options from Preston to Cambridge
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 3 similar
2h 20m
£185($220)
hourly280km (174 miles)
Train to Warrington Bank Quay, Fly3h 50m
£115($140)
hourly805km (500 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane4h 10m
£240($285)
hourly432km (268 miles)
Train to Manchester Airport, plane4h 30m
£285($340)
hourly559km (347 miles)
Train + 1 similar
4hrs
£120($140)
hourly440km (273 miles)
Train via Birmingham New Street4h 30m
£115($135)
hourly386km (240 miles)
Bus
5h 45m
£31($37)
5 times a week362km (225 miles)
Drive
3h 20m
£57($67)
on demand324km (202 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Preston and Cambridge

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Cambridge

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

CBG
Cambridge Airport (CBG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (2 miles) from Cambridge
STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
36km (23 miles) from Cambridge
LTN
London Luton Airport (LTN)
International Airport
Distance
50km (31 miles) from Cambridge