Gloucester is about 55 miles from Rugby as the crow flies, and the train takes a little under two hours. All the journeys we found went through Birmingham New Street; some also change at Cheltenham Spa first, which sounds slower but isn’t.
Gloucester to Rugby: quick facts
- Via Cheltenham Spa and Birmingham
- 1 hour 50 to 1 hour 53 minutes, mostly leaving at 22 minutes past.
- Via Birmingham only
- 1 hour 56 minutes from the daytime departures at 49 minutes past.
- Fastest we found
- The 20:56, in 1 hour 49 minutes.
- Last train
- 21:43, arriving 23:43.
- Straight-line distance
- About 55 miles.
An extra change that costs nothing
On Tuesday 15 September 2026, the 09:22 from Gloucester ran for eight minutes to Cheltenham Spa, where a Birmingham train left at 09:40. From New Street the 10:36 reached Rugby at 11:15. The 09:49, which goes straight to Birmingham, reached Rugby at 11:45 after 1 hour 56 minutes.
| Leaves Gloucester | Changes | Arrives Rugby | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:24 | Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street | 10:15 | 1 h 51 min |
| 08:49 | Birmingham New Street | 10:45 | 1 h 56 min |
| 08:55 | Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street | 10:45 | 1 h 50 min |
| 09:22 | Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street | 11:15 | 1 h 53 min |
| 17:49 | Birmingham New Street | 19:45 | 1 h 56 min |
| 18:22 | Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street | 20:15 | 1 h 53 min |
| 20:56 | Birmingham New Street | 22:45 | 1 h 49 min |
| 21:43 | Birmingham New Street | 23:43 | 2 h 0 min |
The 08:49 and the 08:55 arrive together. Both reach Rugby at 10:45. The 08:49 goes straight to Birmingham New Street and waits there 21 minutes; the 08:55 leaves six minutes later, changes twice and still gets in at the same time.
After the 21:43, the departures we checked didn’t reach Rugby until the next morning. Check live times on National Rail Enquiries.
Two ways to drive from Gloucester
Both planners start on the A40 and join the M5 northbound. OSRM then leaves the motorway for the A46 and A45, arriving via the A4071; Valhalla keeps to the M5, M42 and M6 and comes off at Junction 1. Their totals were 18 miles apart, so we only give the straight-line distance: about 55 miles.
Cars can go in one of our six on-site spaces, which are free, CCTV-monitored and allocated as guests arrive. Parking on Railway Terrace is free overnight, from 18:00 until 08:00.
Close enough for a day, but not a relaxed one
Nearly four hours of travel in a round trip is possible in a day but tiring. For a few days of engineering work near Rugby and Daventry or testing at MIRA Technology Park, a room nearby saves repeating the trip.
What the rooms include
Kitchenettes in all 16 rooms, a free laundry on the first floor and, for stays of seven nights and over, housekeeping each week. See the room types and our guest guide and hotel policies.
Gloucester to Rugby: your questions
Gloucester to Rugby by train: how long?
Usually between 1 hour 50 and 1 hour 56 minutes, always through Birmingham New Street and sometimes with an extra change at Cheltenham Spa first.
Can I get from Gloucester to Rugby without changing?
No. Each journey on the 15 September 2026 timetable involved at least one change, at Birmingham New Street.
How late can I leave Gloucester and still reach Rugby that night?
The 21:43 was the latest, getting in at 23:43.
Gloucester visitors: your room in Rugby
Pick a room online and add the code DIRECT to your booking.
Timetable source: traintimes.org.uk, searched on 10 September 2026 for journeys from Gloucester on Tuesday 15 September 2026. Route planners: OSRM and Valhalla, whose driving totals were 18 miles apart; the 55-mile figure is a straight-line calculation.
Leave A Comment