- 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 on 18 Sept
£20
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£47
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
2 h 26 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 32 m
Trains on 18 Sept
2
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Preston to Rugby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Rugby will cost around £47 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £20.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 2 trains from Preston to Rugby, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 183 km distance in an average of 2 h 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 26 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 37 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Preston to Rugby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £83 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 54m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £83, while a train costs an average of £83.
Distance: 183 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£83 Average Price Cheapest | £37 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 54m Average total duration Fastest 2h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 9m sooner (2h 24m by train vs 2h 33m by car). Tickets start at around £83 compared to roughly £37 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Caledonian Sleeper, Avanti West Coast.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Compare train 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 Preston to Rugby run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 24m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £45 if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:35, the last at 22:05. The fastest train covers the 183 km distance in 1h 23m.
Distance 183 km |
Average train duration 2h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price £45 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 1h 23m |
First train 5:35 |
Last train 22:05 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
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 Preston 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 Preston to Rugby trains use the Preston to Rugby station pair. Use this guide to compare Preston and Rugby train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Preston is 1 km from Preston city centre. Public transport options include:
Preston has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Rise, The Olive Tree Brasserie, Turtle Bay
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Preston. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Preston. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Preston: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Preston: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Preston: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn Express Preston - South, Delta Hotels Preston, Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel.
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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