London Euston to Preston (Lancs) Trains From €42.42*

London Euston to Preston trains take between 2 hours and 3 hours 15 minutes, depending on the route. It's a varied journey. You'll go through Greater London suburbs like Watford, commuter towns such as Milton Keynes, rural areas including the Chiltern Hills and industrial heartlands when you reach the North West.

Avanti West Coast runs this service with 2–3 departures per hour. Some trains terminate in Preston, while others continue to the cities further north. This operator runs along the West Coast Main Line, connecting London to cities like Liverpool and Manchester, as well as major hubs in Scotland and North Wales.

Departing from London Euston

You can get to Euston on the Northern or Victoria lines of the Underground – it's in Camden, about 10 minutes north of central London on the tube. If you're coming from further afield, the Overground also stops here. Euston is in the Watford DC line of this network and you'll usually need to change at Willesden Junction if you're travelling on other branches.

Network Rail runs the station with Avanti West Coast as the main operator, alongside London Northwestern Railway for local services. The station has plenty of shops and cafes on the main concourse if you want to grab a coffee or sandwich before your journey. Passengers travelling in First Class can also use the Avanti West Coast lounge.

Main stops

The direct London to Preston services typically stop at Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western. Some trains also call at Coventry and Birmingham International.

Arriving at Preston (Lancs)

When you hop off the train at Preston, you have everything you need right there, from shops to onward connections. The Fishergate Shopping Centre is just across the road and full of big-name retailers and restaurants if you fancy a bite to eat when you arrive. The University of Lancashire is around a 15-minute walk away.

Preston is a major interchange, so you'll find onward trains to Blackpool, Lancaster and the Lake District, plus local services around Lancashire. Aside from Avanti West Coast, the main operators are Northern, TransPennine Express, and London North Western Railway.

Avanti West Coast train classes

There are usually 3 classes on Avanti West Coast, though availability varies by train type. On most services, free Wi-Fi is available in all classes.

• Standard Class: Includes power sockets and USB charging at select seats, plus food and drink available at cost. Carriages have overhead storage and dedicated areas to store bags.
• Standard Premium: Gives you a bit more room to spread your legs, plus guaranteed table seating with plugs to charge your handheld devices.
• First class: Offers spacious reclining seats, at-seat services and access to the Avanti West Coast lounge in London Euston before you board.

Avanti West Coast train travel advice

• Luggage: Trains have overhead racks and spaces at the end of carriages for bags. Just remember to keep your possessions where you can see them at all times.
• Bicycles: Bikes are free but you'll need to reserve a space in advance. There's generally only 4 spaces per train. Get to the platform 10 minutes before and make yourself known to staff.
• Children: Families with the Friends & Family railcard can save a lot when travelling off-peak. Without this card, under-16s get 50% off their fare. Children under 5 travel for free.
• Pets: Pets can travel with their humans when kept on a lead or in a container. Up to 2 animals per person for free. Seats are for 2-legged passengers only.
• Passenger Assistance: Avanti West Coast is part of the Passenger Assistance programme and offers help - when booked in advance - for travellers who need it.