Major disruption between Haywards Heath and Lewes, and between Shenfield and Southend Victoria, as emergency services respond to incidents. Services are affected until further notice. For travel, ticket and refund information, click here.

Skip to contentTrainline homepage
RailcardsBusiness

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Colchester to Preston (Lancs)

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

Open Booking.com in a new tab with places to stay on your trip

Avanti West Coast
East Midlands Railway

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Icon of trainline-phone-tickets.svg

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Icon of trainline-safe-payments.svg

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Colchester to Preston (Lancs)

Trains to Preston (Lancs) from Colchester

First train

04:44

Last train

22:03

Departure stationColchester
Arrival stationPreston (Lancs)
Journey time

From 3h 38m

Distance

198 miles (318 km)

Frequency

31 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Lumo, TransPennine Express

Travel by train from Colchester to Preston (Lancs)

Looking to travel from Colchester to Preston (Lancs) by train? You've come to the right place!

Generally, the train from Colchester to Preston (Lancs) takes around 6 hours 2 minutes, but can take just 3 hours 38 minutes on the fastest services. There are up to 31 trains per day from Colchester to Preston (Lancs).

You'll need to make 2 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.

Avanti West Coast, Lumo, Greater Anglia and East Midlands Railway trains operate on this route.

Booking early is one of the most effective ways to save money.

Start your search for train tickets from Colchester to Preston (Lancs) in our Journey Planner.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Colchester to Preston (Lancs)?

Want to know more about your journey from Colchester to Preston (Lancs)? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you get to Preston (Lancs) from Colchester?

To travel to Preston (Lancs) from Colchester, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 6 hours and 2 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 3 hours and 38 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Colchester to Preston (Lancs)?

Trains from Colchester to Preston (Lancs) take an average of 6 hours and 2 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 3 hours and 38 minutes. You'll usually find 31 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

What is the quickest journey time between Colchester and Preston (Lancs) by train?

The quickest journey time between Colchester and Preston (Lancs) by train is 3 hours and 38 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Colchester to Preston (Lancs)?

No, there are no direct trains running from Colchester to Preston (Lancs), you’ll usually need to make at least 2 changes during the journey.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Colchester to Preston (Lancs)?

As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

2. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

3. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will 'split' your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

4. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

5. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for Colchester to Preston (Lancs) is right for you.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

§Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.
† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

Looking for more ideas?

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.

Get a link