- Must visit
The Rugby Football Museum
Celebrates the origins of rugby football at the school where the sport developed. Essential for sports history fans.
Cheapest price
$0.00
Average price
$25
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 traveling at rush hour.
It's difficult to get from Cardiff to Rugby without transferring at least 2 times.

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Trains from Cardiff to Rugby run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 39m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $48 (€39) but you can travel from only $35 (€28) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 05:14, the last at 21:15. The fastest train covers the 102 miles (165 km) distance in 3h 0m.
Distance 102 miles (165 km) |
Average train duration 2h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price $48 (€39) |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 3h 0m |
First train 5:14 AM |
Last train 9:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 2 days |
The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Rugby trains for tomorrow, Sunday, August 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:23 AM Cardiff | 3h24 | 11:47 AM Rugby | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 9:35 AM Cardiff | 3h09 | 12:44 PM Rugby | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 10:30 AM Cardiff | 3h14 | 1:44 PM Rugby | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 11:45 AM Cardiff | 2h59 | 2:44 PM Rugby | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 12:20 PM Cardiff | 2h54 | 3:14 PM Rugby | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 12:29 PM Cardiff | 3h15 | 3:44 PM Rugby | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 1:20 PM Cardiff | 2h54 | 4:14 PM Rugby | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 1:45 PM Cardiff | 2h59 | 4:44 PM Rugby | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of Rugby — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Rugby trip today.
Celebrates the origins of rugby football at the school where the sport developed. Essential for sports history fans.
The town's main museum tells Rugby's story from Roman finds to social history, with strong local collections and family displays.
Contemporary gallery within the town museum complex, showing changing exhibitions and giving a cultural focus to central Rugby.
Large formal park with play areas, gardens, and sports facilities. A favourite green space for relaxing near the centre.
Pleasant canal-side walking area with wildlife, boats, and heritage features. Popular for gentle strolls close to town.
Open green riverside and meadow landscape on Rugby's edge, valued for walking, birdlife, and quiet local scenery.
A flaky pastry pie traditionally filled with pork and seasoned jelly. A classic Midlands pub and picnic staple linked to nearby Warwickshire butchers.
Slow-cooked beef in rich gravy, often with root vegetables. This hearty dish suits the region’s farming heritage and is common in local pubs.
Thick slices of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. A beloved Sunday tradition across Rugby and Warwickshire.
Popular Indian restaurant with a long-standing local reputation for curries, tandoori dishes, and warm service in central Rugby.
Well-known casual venue serving pizzas, pasta, and Italian comfort food. Family-friendly atmosphere with broad appeal in Rugby town centre.
Established pub restaurant in Rugby known for steaks, grills, and classic British dishes in a relaxed, traditional setting.
Moderate for England. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis and small cafe bills if service was good.
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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