- 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
$81
Average price
$114
Fastest journey
2 h 3 m
Average duration
2 h 7 m
Trains per day
7
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 traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Preston to Rugby will cost around $114 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $81.
It's difficult to get from Preston to Rugby without transferring at least once.










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 bus with prices starting from $27. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 16m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $27, and a train costs an average of $28.
Distance: 113 miles (183 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$69 Average price | $39 Average price Cheapest | $50 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 46m Average total duration Fastest 2h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 48m Average total duration 8h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Preston to Rugby:
A bus is $30 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Preston to Rugby costing on average $69.
Other travel options to Rugby take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 18m.
You'll arrive about 17m sooner (2h 16m by train vs 2h 33m by car). Tickets start at around $69 compared to roughly $50 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.
The table below shows live departures for Preston to Rugby trains for today, Monday, August 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C01362+ Y80895 | On time 12:18 PM Preston station (PRE) | 2h57 | 3:15 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
W34060 · W34236 | On time 1:17 PM Preston station (PRE) | 2h38 | 3:55 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
W34160 · W34244 | On time 2:18 PM Preston station (PRE) | 2h37 | 4:55 PM Rugby station (RUG) | 1 transfer | |
W34124 | On time 3:18 PM Preston station (PRE) | 2h32 | 5:50 PM 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 Preston to Rugby run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 16m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $28 but you can travel from only $27 by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:35, the last at 22:05. The fastest train covers the 113 miles (183 km) distance in 2h 7m.
Distance 113 miles (183 km) |
Average train duration 2h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 2h 7m |
First train 5:35 AM |
Last train 10:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
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 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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