Cheltenham Festival 2026: Nearest train station to Racecourse

Cheltenham Festival 2026 dates

Cheltenham Festival takes place over four days in mid-March, with this year’s 2026 edition beginning on Tuesday, 10 March and finishing on Friday, 13 March.

The festival sees 28 races over four days, each boasting a different highlight event:

• Day 1: Champion Day – the opening day, featuring the Unibet Champion Hurdle event, comprising the world’s most skilled hurdlers.
• Day 2: Ladies Day – spectators dress in their finest outfits, and style awards add even more excitement to the day’s racing.
• Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday – a celebration of Irish culture, with the Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle taking centre stage.
• Day 4: Gold Cup Day – This is the grand finale.. The highlight is the Gold Cup race, where a new jump racing champion is crowned.

Cheltenham Festival location

Cheltenham Racecourse is located just north of Cheltenham town centre. You can easily get there from Cheltenham Spa train station using public transport.

If you’re taking the train to Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham Spa station will be your gateway to the event.

Popular train routes to Cheltenham Festival

•  London Paddington to Cheltenham train: This route is operated by Great Western Railway, and the 140-km (87-mile) distance usually takes about two hours. Direct trains depart every hour and usually cost about £40.
•  Birmingham to Cheltenham train: Departing from Birmingham New Street, CrossCountry operates trains on this route. The journey usually takes about 45 minutes. Tickets usually range from £12 to £33 with a frequency of approximately three trains an hour.
•  Bristol Temple Meads to Cheltenham train: Trains on this route are operated by both Great Western Railway and CrossCountry. The journey usually takes about 37 minutes toan hour. Tickets usually cost between £8 and £12.
•  Manchester to Cheltenham train: This 177-km (110-mile) route is operated by CrossCountry, and the journey usually takes about 2 hr 25 min. Fares range from £20 to £60, with direct trains departing from Manchester Piccadilly every hour.
•  Swindon to Cheltenham train: This route is operated by Great Western Railway and usually takes approximately one hour. Trains usually depart every hour, and the cheapest tickets can be found for about £12.

No matter where you’re coming from, you should book your train to Cheltenham Festival early, as tickets can sell out fast. This is also a good method to ensure you get the cheapest train tickets to Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Spa station is located about 4 km (2.5 miles) from the racecourse, and you have multiple options to reach the event.

Festival shuttle buses: Stagecoach runs a regular shuttle bus during race week. The journey takes approximately 15–20 mins. Previously, tickets cost £9 return or £6 one way, although prices may change for the 2026 event.

Taxis and ride-shares: Available outside the train station, but can be in high demand. If you manage to nab one, they usually take about 10 minutes and cost around £12 to £16. Please note that journey times and prices may be higher due to increased traffic and demand.

Walking: Walking from Cheltenham Spa to Cheltenham Racecourse is an option, but is not recommended during busy times. It takes about 50 minutes, so it may not be the ideal choice if, for example, you or someone in your party is wearing heels for Ladies Day.

• Book early: Advance tickets are released 12 weeks in advance and offer significant discounts on fares. But act fast: seats go quickly during festival week.
• Travel early in the day: Gates usually open at 10:30, with the first races starting at 13:30. For a less crowded experience, plan to arrive just after the gates open.
• Check return services: Don’t get stranded! Ensure you have your return journey arranged in advance, as trains can become extremely busy after the Gold Cup.
• Upgrade for comfort: Why not match the prestige of the Cheltenham Festival and splurge on First Class tickets or off-peak return services for an elevated experience?
• Avoid driving: Parking is limited in Cheltenham on race days, and traffic builds quickly. Book your train tickets to Cheltenham 2026 on Trip.com and avoid the hassle of driving.

While taking the train to Cheltenham Festival is the most reliable and efficient way to arrive at the racecourse, there are other options in case you’ve left it too late to book the train or are coming from an area not served by trains to Cheltenham Spa.

Coach: National Express offers a coach service to the Cheltenham Festival, with over 20 pick-up locations, including London, Nottingham, and Coventry. Return tickets start at £33 and drop you not too far from the festival gates.

Park & Ride: Arle Court Park & Ride is located directly off Junction 11 of the M5, providing a bus service to the Transport Hub at The Cheltenham Festival. The service runs every 15 minutes and tickets cost £15 per car/day and permit passengers to a return journey to and from the racecourse. Journey times are approx. 30 minutes, although it may be higher due to heavy traffic.

Stay in Cheltenham: If you are planning on attending multiple days of Cheltenham Festival, choosing accommodation near the train station is a handy option. This way, you can take the train outside peak hours and travel with the shuttle bus to the festival.