- 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 on Aug 29
$32
Average ticket price on Aug 29
$59
Fastest journey on Aug 29
1 h 19 m
Average journey duration on Aug 29
2 h 5 m
Trains on Aug 29
5
Distance
140 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Manchester to Rugby is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Rugby will cost around $59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
On Sat, Aug 29, we found 5 trains from Manchester to Rugby, including 2 direct services.
On Sat, Aug 29 the direct trains cover the 140 km distance in an average of 2 h 5 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 19 m .
On Sat, Aug 29 the slowest trains will take 3 h 9 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.
L89647+
C16928 · Y80834
L89647+
C17756
L89640+
C17948
W33397
W33594
W33397
W33594
L89647+
C17756
L89640+
C17948
L89647+
C16928 · Y80834Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Manchester to Rugby among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 16m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $18, while a train costs an average of $31.
Distance: 86 miles (140 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$31 Average price | $18 Average price Cheapest | $60 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 16m Average total duration Fastest 1h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 12m Average total duration 2h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Rugby:
A bus is $19 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Rugby costing on average $37.
Other travel options to Rugby take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 42m.
The journey is about 33m faster (1h 46m by train vs 2h 19m by car) and roughly $23 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($37 vs $60). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Avanti West Coast.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Rugby trains for today, Friday, August 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L89677+ C18008 | On time 1:06 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 3:26 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
L89682+ C18015 | On time 2:06 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 4:26 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
L89685+ C17791 | On time 3:06 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 5:26 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
L89627+ C18025 | On time 4:06 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 6:26 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
G90102+ C17876 | On time 4:36 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h50 | 7:26 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
L89634+ C16967 · Y80927 | On time 5:06 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h09 | 8:15 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 2 transfers | |
L89642+ C17863 | On time 6:06 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h22 | 8:28 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
L89649+ C18005 | On time 7:06 PM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 9:26 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
| Saturday, August 29 | |||||
L89640+ C17948 | 8:06 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 10:26 AM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
W33397 | 8:14 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1h19 | 9:33 AM Rugby station (RUG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
L89647+ C17756 | 9:06 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 2h20 | 11:26 AM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
L89647+ C16928 · Y80834 | 9:06 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 3h09 | 12:15 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 2 transfers | |
W33594 | 9:14 AM Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) | 1h19 | 10:33 AM Rugby station (RUG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Manchester to Rugby run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 46m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $14 but you can travel from only $11 by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:07, the last at 23:36. The fastest train covers the 86 miles (140 km) distance in 1h 53m.
Distance 86 miles (140 km) |
Average train duration 1h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price $14 |
Trains per day 9 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 1h 53m |
First train 4:07 AM |
Last train 11:36 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 Manchester 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 Manchester to Rugby trains use the Manchester Piccadilly to Rugby station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Rugby train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Manchester Piccadilly has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Burger King, Caffè Nero, Carluccio’s, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, The Pasty Shop, Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Upper Crust, McDonald's, & more
Pay as you go Wi-Fi is available through BT Wi-Fi. ATMs are there are ATM machines on the main concourse, Platform 10 and on the mezzanine level.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 04:30 - 22:30, Sun: 07:00 - 22:30. Information desks are located near the Fairfield Street entrance on the mezzanine level.
Luggage storage is operated by Excess Baggage Co. Llocated between Platforms 10 and 11 and open daily from 08:00 to 21:00.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Manchester Piccadilly: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Piccadilly: There is step-free access throughout the station. Ramps for train access and wheelchairs are also available.
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Manchester - Piccadilly, Premier Inn Manchester City, Staycity Aparthotels - Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Airport is 13 km from Manchester city centre. Public transport options include:
Manchester Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Airport.
Wi-Fi is available at Manchester Airport. ATMs are available at Manchester Airport.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Airport. Information desks are information available from staff: ,Yes - from help point,Yes - from information point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 107 2149, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Available at Manchester Airport: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Airport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Airport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: re Step free access is provided from the Ground Transport Interchange to all platforms via lifts or ramps. This station is staffed for all services. This station is Category A. Station staff can provide assistance from Meeting Point 1 (adjacent to the Station Booking Office) and throughout the railway station, and with boarding and alighting the train. Customers requiring assistance should make themselves known to station staff no less than 20 minutes prior to the departure time of their train. Customers requiring assistance to access other services or to connect with terminals should request this from their airline or Manchester Airport Group. Assistance can be requested in advance by contacting the TransPennine Express Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 (18001 prefix for TextRelay). Please be aware that some platforms at this station have no or only partial tactile paving on the platform edge, Accessible public telephones: In the station cafe on platforms 2 and 3, Accessible ticket machines: There are 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.
Manchester Oxford Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester Oxford Road.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Parking, WC.
Available at Manchester Oxford Road: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester Oxford Road: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Category B Station, please note there are no tactile pavings at this station - There are two lifts at the Piccadilly end of platform 4 and 2/3 which connect the concourse area platform 4 and 5 with 2/3. Note: there is no lift access to platform 1 at all, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accepts Cash & Cards, Accessible toilets: Yes, 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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