What is the cheapest way to get from Preston to Ballymena?

The cheapest way to get from Preston to Ballymena is to train and fly which costs £40 - £140 and takes 4h 54m.

What is the fastest way to get from Preston to Ballymena?

The fastest way to get from Preston to Ballymena is to train and fly which takes 4h 48m and costs £55 - £190.

Is there a direct bus between Preston and Ballymena?

No, there is no direct bus from Preston station to Ballymena station. However, there are services departing from Bus Station and arriving at Ballymena Bus Station via Glasgow Buchanan and Bridge Street 2. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 51m.

How far is it from Preston to Ballymena?

The distance between Preston and Ballymena is 249 miles.

How do I travel from Preston to Ballymena without a car?

The best way to get from Preston to Ballymena without a car is to train and Bus and car ferry which takes 11h 16m and costs .

How long does it take to get from Preston to Ballymena?

It takes approximately 4h 54m to get from Preston to Ballymena, including transfers.

Where do I catch the Preston to Ballymena bus from?

Preston to Ballymena bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Bus Station.

Where does the Preston to Ballymena bus arrive?

Preston to Ballymena bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Buchanan Bus Station.

Where can I stay near Ballymena?

There are 221+ hotels available in Ballymena.

Preston to Ballymena - 11 ways to travel via train, plane, Bus, and car ferry

There are 11 ways to get from Preston to Ballymena by train, plane, bus, car ferry, busferry, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Train to Manchester Airport, fly to George Best Belfast City Airport, train
best
1. Take the train from Preston to Manchester Airport
2. Fly from Manchester Airport (MAN) to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)MAN - BHD
3. Take the train from Lanyon Place to Ballymena
4h 54m
£50–168
Train to Manchester Airport, fly to Belfast International Airport
cheapest
1. Take the train from Preston to Manchester Airport
2. Fly from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Belfast International Airport (BFS)MAN - BFS
4h 54m
£42–135
Train, Bus, car ferry
1. Take the train from Preston to Glasgow Central
2. Take the bus from Glasgow Buchanan to Cairnryan Stena Terminal923
3. Take the car ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast
4. Take the train from Yorkgate to Ballymena0
11h 16m
Train, car ferry
1. Take the train from Preston to Liverpool Lime Street
2. Take the car ferry from Liverpool to Belfast
3. Take the train from Yorkgate to Ballymena0
12h 39m
£54–114
Bus, bus and ferry, train
1. Take the bus from Coach Stn to Buchanan Bus Station181
2. Take the busferry from Glasgow Buchanan to Belfast, Europa Buscentre923
3. Take the train from Belfast Great Central to Ballymena0
12h 43m
Train, train to Liverpool, fly to Belfast International Airport
1. Take the train from Preston to Warrington Bank Quay
2. Take the train from Warrington Central to Liverpool South Parkway
3. Fly from Liverpool (LPL) to Belfast International Airport (BFS)LPL - BFS
4. Take the train from Antrim to Ballymena
4h 48m
£50–150
Train to Liverpool, fly to George Best Belfast City Airport, train
1. Take the train from Preston to Warrington Bank Quay
2. Fly from Liverpool (LPL) to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)LPL - BHD
3. Take the train from Lanyon Place to Ballymena
4h 48m
£57–188
Train to Leeds Bradford International Airport, fly to George Best Belfast City Airport, train
1. Take the train from Preston to Bradford Interchange
2. Fly from Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA) to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)LBA - BHD
3. Take the train from Lanyon Place to Ballymena
5h 59m
£70–229
Train to Leeds Bradford International Airport, fly to Belfast International Airport
1. Take the train from Preston to Bradford Interchange
2. Fly from Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA) to Belfast International Airport (BFS)LBA - BFS
5h 49m
£85–211
Bus, bus and ferry
1. Take the bus from Bus Station to Buchanan Bus Station
2. Take the busferry from Glasgow Buchanan to Belfast, Europa Buscentre923
3. Take the bus from Bridge Street 2 to Ballymena Bus Station218 / ...
12h 51m
Drive, car ferry
1. Drive from Preston to Cairnryan
2. Take the car ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast
3. Drive from Belfast to Ballymena
6h 11m
£83–238

Manchester Airport (MAN) to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) flights

34Weekly Planes

1h 5mAverage Duration

£29Cheapest Price

See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Preston to Ballymena.

Launch map view

Distance: 247.2 mi
Duration: 4h 54m

What companies run services between Preston, England and Ballymena, Mid and East Antrim, Northern Ireland?

There is no direct connection from Preston to Ballymena. However, you can take the train to Manchester Airport, walk to Manchester Airport (MAN) airport, fly to George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), walk to George Best Belfast City Airport, take the line 600 bus to Bridge End, walk to Lanyon Place, then take the train to Ballymena. Alternatively, you can take a train from Preston to Ballymena via Glasgow Central, Glasgow Buchanan, Cairnryan Stena Terminal, Cairnryan, Port Of Belfast, Stena Line terminus, Nelson Street Bus Lane, and Yorkgate in around 11h 16m.

Airlines

Train operators

Bus operators

Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around United Kingdom

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.