- Must visit
Rugby Football Museum
Museum on the birthplace of rugby football, with displays on the game’s origins, school history, and memorable sporting artefacts.
Cheapest price
£0.00
Average price
£18
Fastest journey
2 h 34 m
Average duration
2 h 50 m
Trains per day
20
Distance
165 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cardiff to Rugby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
To travel from Cardiff to Rugby you need to make at least 2 changes.

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Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Rugby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £25. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 39m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £25, and a train costs an average of £35.
Distance: 165 km
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£39 Average Price | £25 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 9m Average total duration Fastest 2h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 25m Average total duration 7h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Rugby trains for tomorrow, Sunday 9 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:23 Cardiff | 3h24 | 11:47 Rugby | 2 changes | |
![]() | 9:35 Cardiff | 3h09 | 12:44 Rugby | 2 changes | |
![]() | 10:30 Cardiff | 3h14 | 13:44 Rugby | 2 changes | |
![]() | 11:45 Cardiff | 2h59 | 14:44 Rugby | 1 change | |
![]() | 12:20 Cardiff | 2h54 | 15:14 Rugby | 2 changes | |
![]() | 12:29 Cardiff | 3h15 | 15:44 Rugby | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Cardiff to Rugby run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 39m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £35 but you can travel from only £25 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 05:14, the last at 21:15. The fastest train covers the 165 km distance in 3h 0m.
Distance 165 km |
Average train duration 2h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price £35 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 0m |
First train 5:14 |
Last train 21:15 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Rugby — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Rugby trip today.
Museum on the birthplace of rugby football, with displays on the game’s origins, school history, and memorable sporting artefacts.
Local history museum with Roman finds, social history displays, and changing exhibitions that introduce Rugby and the wider borough.
Art gallery programme within Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, showing contemporary exhibitions alongside community-focused visual arts events.
Large urban park with formal gardens, play areas, sports facilities, and broad lawns, ideal for a relaxed walk near the centre.
Scenic canal-side walking area by Newbold, popular for waterside strolls, narrowboats, and easy access to the Oxford Canal route.
Pleasant riverside and meadow paths east of town, good for walking, wildlife spotting, and seeing a calmer side of Rugby.
A Warwickshire and West Midlands speciality of pork sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter, often served with onion gravy.
A traditional English stew of beef, root vegetables and ale or stock, common in pubs across Warwickshire in colder months.
A classic Midlands sweet-and-savoury pie with minced meat, apples and warming spices, linked to nearby Warwickshire traditions.
Well-known Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant serving grilled meats, mezze and generous sharing plates in a lively space.
Smart Indian restaurant known locally for refined curries, tandoori dishes and attentive table service.
Popular Rugby pub and restaurant serving British classics, steaks and Sunday roasts in a relaxed traditional setting.
Moderate for the UK. Accommodation and dining are usually cheaper than London, while rail fares can be relatively high and local bus costs are manageable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, such as leaving small change.
Official public transport app
Rugby railway station -> Rugby Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Rugby by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Rugby, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cardiff to Rugby trains use the Cardiff Central to Rugby station pair. Use this guide to compare Cardiff and Rugby train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Cardiff Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food options include: Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express
Free Wi-Fi in the station. ATMs are located outside of the main entrance.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:40 - 21:30, Sat: 05:40 - 21:30, Sun: 07:30 - 21:30.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cardiff Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cardiff Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cardiff Central: There is step-free access in the whole station. There are also ramps for train access and elevators in the station.
Nearby hotels include Clayton Hotel Cardiff, Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central.
Ninian Park is 1 km from Cardiff city centre. Public transport options include:
Ninian Park has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Ninian Park.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ninian Park: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Ninian Park: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ninian Park: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B2. Step free access to Platform 1 (to Cardiff) from Leckwith Road. Step free access to Platform 2 (to Radyr) Leckwith Road via a ramp with a steep gradient, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Waun-gron Park is 3 km from Cardiff city centre. Public transport options include:
Waun-gron Park has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Waun-gron Park.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Waun-gron Park: Parking.
Available at Waun-gron Park: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Waun-gron Park: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Category B1. Step free access to Platform 1 (to Radyr) and Platform 2 (to Cardiff) from Waungron Road via ramps with handrails and a steep gradient. Access between the platforms is via the ramps and beneath the railway bridge on Waungron Road, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: The ticket machine(s) do not accept cash. Payment is by major debit and credit cards only, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Rugby is 1 km from Rugby city centre. Public transport options include:
Rugby has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Rugby.
Ticket office support is available at Rugby. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Rugby: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Rugby: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Rugby: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform Steep ramp from entrance to platforms, staff are available to help, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible ticket machines: There are no accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
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