Trains to Crufts

A great day out for every dog lover.

Crufts is a British institution when it comes to dog excellence. This international dog show is held annually in Birmingham and is a key event for dog lovers all around the world. It’s even shown on British national television, but as with most events of its kind, it’s much better to be there in person. Avanti West Coast trains make it easy for you to get to Crufts ready for a weekend of dog shows.

How to get to Crufts by train

If you’re getting to Crufts by train, take an Avanti West Coast train from your local station to Birmingham International Railway Station. The station and the venue, the National Exhibition Centre, are both part of a large complex in Solihull, so you won’t have far to walk once you leave the train. Arrive at the station and head to the covered passageway, which will lead you straight to the NEC which is well-signposted in the station.

What to do at Crufts

Crufts is a huge event, and there are plenty of things to see and do. Enjoy the main show, shop for canine toys and accessories, or meet other dog lovers. You can see all the shows, performances, and dog displays in the main arena, and see which dogs take home the titles.

Check out the Good Citizen Dog Scheme. The programme is open to any dog, and it helps owners learn more about responsible ownership and training dogs to be the best they can be. See beautiful, well-trained pups putting their best paw forward during event days which feature a particular breed, so you can hopefully see your favourite steal the show.

When you need a break from all the action, there are plenty of trade stands on site. Buy gifts for your human and furry friends from over 500 vendors. Shop for dog food, trinkets or books all about dogs. You can also take a break from everything dog-related and enjoy food and drinks at restaurants and takeaways in the NEC, including Subway, The Oak Kitchen, and EvViva.

Getting to Crufts

Crufts is held annually in Birmingham city centre which means getting there on an Avanti West Coast train is easy. We run trains every hour from London Euston to Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International.

Travel from London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and be at Crufts in no time.

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Birmingham International Station

Travelling by train to Crufts

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For latest timetable information click here.

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Plan your journey to Birmingham and check train times before you travel.

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Bring your dog with you

If you qualify to take your dog to Crufts, you can bring him or her along on an Avanti West Coast train. You can bring up to two domestic pets at no additional charge, or book more pets for only £5 per pet. Assistance animals also travel free of charge.

If you are bringing your dog to Crufts, make sure your pet is comfortable taking the train. Factors that can stress your dog out or complicate your travels are how crowded the train is, when you are travelling, and how long the commute is without breaks. Make sure you take the time to consider when you are travelling and the best route for you to get to Crufts.

Ways to save on your train ticket to Crufts

Avanti makes getting to and from Crufts affordable with savings on your train ticket. An easy way is to book your ticket in advance and save money. Advance tickets are available for Standard, Standard Premium, and First Class rides, so you can upgrade and relax in luxury at discounted prices. The sooner you book, the more you can save.

Railcards can also help you save up to a third off your train ticket costs. Purchase your digital railcard to take a ride straight away.

Purchasing off-peak and early-bird tickets can also help you save by offering discounted prices for riding at times many others are not. Aside from saving money, choosing off-peak tickets can make it more convenient to find seats or ride without worry.

Family savings are a great way to bring everyone to Crufts on a budget. Families of two to five people can save up to 60% when purchasing tickets in advance. Family tickets are also flexible, so even if there is a change of plans, you can still take advantage of savings for your trip to Crufts. You can also use child tickets for your little ones. Child tickets are available for children between five and 15% and are 50% lower than adult fares.

Get the app

Our Avanti West Coast app is the easiest way to buy cheap train tickets.

You can book them direct with us, pay how you want and save them straight to your device whilst never paying booking fees.