Ashford to Preston by train

Compare prices, times and book fast direct trains

Overview: trains from Ashford to Preston

Find the key information for travelling by train from Ashford to Preston, including journey times, fares and operators serving the route. Compare your options and plan the journey that works for you with Rail Europe.

First train 05:13 View journey
Last train 23:50 View journey
Avg changes 1
Fastest journey 3hr 22m View journey
Distance (km) 379
Trains / day 30 View all
Cheapest journey £165.55 View journey
Avg journey time 4hr 8m
Train operators 5

Travelling from Ashford to Preston by train

Considering a train trip from Ashford to Preston? This guide will walk you through everything — from the best routes to finding the cheapest train tickets — so you can enjoy a smooth, stress-free journey.

Train cost for travel between Ashford and Preston

The first thing many travellers ask before booking a trip is: 'How much will it cost?' While train travel combines comfort and cost, the price of a ticket depends on a few things.

For starters, how early you book your trip comes into play with the price tag. For this specific route, the cheapest fare is £165.55, but can go to when purchased thirty days before your train departs, and when locked in seven days before. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip. Instead, you can book these tickets 5 months in advance.

Cheap train tickets with slower trains

Another factor that comes into play when it comes to ticket price is speed. Let us explain. Many travellers automatically opt for the high-speed train option because faster is always better, right? Not necessarily. As experienced train travellers ourselves, the Rail Europe team often chooses to go for the slower trains for a number of reasons, including the fact that these trains often:

  • Allow for more time to take in the city scapes and countrysides

  • Set a more leisurely pace to better soak up the travel experience

  • Stop in areas that are less-travelled, offering a more unique journey

  • Are less-crowded than their high-speed counterparts

  • Are an even greener travel option than high speed

  • Are the cheapest train tickets you can find

Whether you choose to go with a low-, medium- or high-speed train, Rail Europe compiles all train options so you can choose by cost, speed, timing and operator to find the best fit for your travels.

Train times for travel from Ashford to Preston

During the week, the earliest departure time is at 05:13 and the last departure is 23:16. On weekends, the first train departs at 05:40 and the last train leaves at 23:50. On average, a total of 30 trains make this journey each day.

Travel time and distance between Ashford and Preston

The route’s fastest journey takes 3 hours and 22 minutes, covering a total of 379 kilometres.

When do tickets between Ashford and Preston go on sale?

Travellers can book train journeys between Ashford and Preston 5 months before the travel date. The earlier you book, the better the price. Stay informed about ticket availability by setting up a personalised booking alert with Rail Europe.

Learn more about train travel from Ashford to Preston

Refer to our help articles for more details and insights on train travel from Ashford and beyond. Get ready for your visit with travel tips and inspiration in our Preston city guide.

FAQs about the train journey from Ashford to Preston

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

The total distance between Ashford and Preston is 379 kilometres.

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Child and youth passengers

The definition of "Child" and "Youth" varies by country and operator. This is why we ask for the age of young passengers.

Sometimes children below a certain age can travel without a seat for free. If you want to guarantee a seat for child passengers, enter '6' as the age of the child.

Read more about child and youth passenger ages. See also youth discounts and railcards.