Cambridge is one of the quickest day trips from London by train. The fastest services take about 50 minutes, the colleges, the river and the museums are all close together, and some of the best sights are free. The one thing to plan for is that the station is about a mile from the historic centre.
This guide gives you a simple order for the day, what to book ahead and what to check before you leave. It is one of the eight easy day trips from London by train we recommend.
Cambridge day trip at a glance
| Best for | The Backs and the River Cam, college architecture, punting and free museums |
| Journey time | About 50 minutes on the fastest trains from London King’s Cross; the fastest Greater Anglia service from London Liverpool Street takes about 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Train operators | Great Northern (King’s Cross) and Greater Anglia (Liverpool Street); Thameslink services also run but are slower |
| Arrive at | Cambridge station, Station Road, with step-free access to all platforms (National Rail) |
| Walk from station | About a mile to the centre, around 20 to 25 minutes on foot, or take a Citi bus |
| Free to enter | The Fitzwilliam Museum and several other university museums |
| Book ahead | Train tickets, King’s College Chapel tickets and any punting tour |
| Allow | A full day, roughly 6 to 8 hours in town |
How to get to Cambridge from London
Great Northern runs direct trains from London King’s Cross to Cambridge. The fastest of these are non-stop and take about 50 minutes, which makes King’s Cross the best starting point if it is convenient for you. Greater Anglia runs trains from London Liverpool Street, and its fastest service takes about 1 hour 5 minutes. Thameslink trains from stations such as London Bridge and St Pancras International also reach Cambridge but take longer.
Journey times vary by service and time of day, so check the National Rail journey planner for the exact train you want. All of these trains arrive at Cambridge station.
Getting from the station to the centre
Cambridge station is roughly a mile from the city centre. Greater Anglia puts the walk at about 20 to 25 minutes, and says Citi bus routes 1, 3 and 7 connect the station with the centre. There is a taxi rank outside the station. The Fitzwilliam says the U bus from the station stops outside the museum. If you want to save time and your legs for the afternoon, take the bus in and walk back.
Tickets and saving money
- Book Advance tickets for a fixed train. They can be bought up to 12 weeks ahead, but you must book at least a day before and they cannot be refunded if unused.
- Off-peak tickets cost less than Anytime fares but have time restrictions, so check the conditions first.
- Great Northern lists GroupSave (a third off off-peak travel for groups of 3 to 9 adults), Kids for £2 for children travelling with an adult, and Railcard discounts.
- PlusBus can cover the bus into the centre; check whether it suits your day.
Fares change often, so we do not quote prices here. Check the operator or National Rail for the current fare on your date.
A simple plan for one day in Cambridge
Cambridge works best if you book the two things that sell out first, a King’s College Chapel entry and any punting tour, and leave the rest of the day loose.
1. Start at the Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam is on Trumpington Street (CB2 1RB). Its website lists opening Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday and bank holidays 12 to 5pm, with last entry at 4:40pm, and says entry to the permanent collection is free. The main entrance has 18 stone steps. The courtyard entrance has step-free access, so use that if you need it. The museum notes some gallery maintenance, so check what is on display before you go.
2. King’s College Chapel
King’s College is on King’s Parade (CB2 1ST), and Visit Cambridge describes its chapel as the most recognisable building in the city. King’s sells tickets online, and says numbers are limited and that it encourages buying in advance, so there is no guarantee of same-day availability. Check the opening times and ticket prices on the college website before you travel, because college visiting hours change.
3. Climb Great St Mary’s
Visit Cambridge says Great St Mary’s church has a 123-step tower with 360-degree views and a refurbished outdoor viewing platform. It is a good way to see how compact the centre is. Check the church’s own opening times and any charge first.
4. Punting on the River Cam
Punting is the classic Cambridge activity, and the stretch behind the colleges, known as the Backs, is the heart of a first visit. Several companies operate, including Scudamore’s, Let’s Go Punting and the Traditional Punting Company. Scudamore’s offers chauffeured tours, where someone else does the punting, and boat hire for self-guided trips. It lists opening hours of 9am to 7pm daily with the last tour departing at 6pm, and takes bookings online or by phone. If you have not punted before, a chauffeured tour is the easier first try.
5. Head back to the station
Leave time to get back to the station by bus or on foot, and check your train home before you set out. Allow for the possibility of delays.
What to do if it rains
- The Fitzwilliam Museum. It is free and easily fills a morning.
- Other university museums. Visit Cambridge lists the Museum of Zoology, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences as free to enter.
- King’s College Chapel. The visit is largely under cover.
- Skip the punt. A wet day is better spent indoors, and you can book a punting tour for a drier visit.
Practical tips
- Colleges are working institutions and can close to visitors at short notice, especially around exams and events. Check each college website before you go.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Much of the day is on foot, including the mile from the station if you walk.
- Cambridge station has step-free access to all platforms. Check individual venues if you have specific access needs.
- Book the fixed-time things first, usually a King’s ticket and a punting tour, then fit the free museums around them.
Cambridge day trip FAQ
How long does it take to get to Cambridge from London?
About 50 minutes on the fastest trains from London King’s Cross. The fastest Greater Anglia service from London Liverpool Street takes about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Do I need a car for a day trip to Cambridge?
No. The station is about a mile from the centre, and you can walk or take a bus. The sights themselves are close together.
Are Cambridge’s museums free?
The Fitzwilliam Museum is free to enter, and Visit Cambridge lists several other university museums as free. King’s College Chapel and punting tours are ticketed.
Is one day enough for Cambridge?
Yes for a first visit. A day covers the Fitzwilliam, King’s College Chapel and a punt on the Cam.
More day trips from London
Cambridge is one of eight easy escapes in our guide to day trips from London by train. If you want to compare it with Oxford, Brighton and the others before you choose, start there.
