Visit Cambridge by Train
Find out about trains to Cambridge, how to get great discounts on your travel, and top offers on things to do when you get there
Welcome to Cambridge
Most famous as one of the greatest university cities, Cambridge is accessible by foot, bike or punt (if boating is your thing), boasts culture galore, and has lots of architecture to admire. There are also some amazing restaurants – be sure to check out the vibrant Mill Road, which prides itself on international cuisine. It’s a city steeped in high-brow history – Trinity College has a library designed by Christopher Wren and it’s also where Isaac Newton first calculated the speed of sound – as well as being the birthplace of football.
Find out more about travelling to Cambridge by train below, along with everything you need to know about the town. Discover all the best things to do and places to visit in Cambridge – and don’t forget you can save money on your train travel with a Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab).
By taking the train you are also helping to lower carbon emissions. And, if you require additional support when travelling, the Passenger Assist service can help you.
If you fancy travelling a bit further afield, you can also visit our Day Trips from Cambridge by Train page.
How to get to Cambridge by train
Cambridge has 1 main station:
Cambridge: There are regular direct trains to and from many destinations, including Brighton, Norwich, Kings Lynn, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. If you’re coming or going to London King’s Cross or London Liverpool Street, there are direct services each day
You can plan your Cambridge train journey, find the cheapest fares and book tickets online with our Journey Planner.
Fastest journey times to Cambridge by train
From | To | Journey time from* |
|---|---|---|
London | Cambridge | 48 min |
Norwich | Cambridge | 1 hr 16 min |
Peterborough | Cambridge | 50 min |
Oxford | Cambridge | 2 hr 27 min |
Nottingham | Cambridge | 2 hr 4 min |
* Please note, some journeys will take longer and you may have to change trains
Get great offers on top Cambridge attractions
Visit National Rail’s Days Out Guide(external link, opens in a new tab) for more great offers when you travel by train.
2FOR1: Rutherford’s Punting Cambridge – Shared Punting Experience
One of Cambridge’s favourite pastimes, punting on the river Cam is the best way to explore the city and its charm
2FOR1: Museum of Cambridge and Old Quarter Tour
Hear about the history of Cambridge beyond the University, with this walking tour and a unique museum dedicated to the social history of the region
20% OFF: Cambridge Bike Tours
Cycle around the city on this popular tour, taking in the famous university, parks, the river Cam and more
More attractions in Cambridge
Take time out in nature at the impressive Cambridge University Botanic Garden(external link, opens in a new tab), originally founded in 1762
Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), which houses over half a million works of art, from ceramics, glass and enamels to coins and medals
Climb the 123 steps of Great St Mary’s tower(external link, opens in a new tab), which offers 360-degree views over the University and the Market Square and has an hourly chime later used by Big Ben’s bells
Free things to do in Cambridge
Marvel at King’s College Chapel(external link, opens in a new tab), a stunning example of gothic architecture with stained glass windows ordered by Henry VIII and the world’s largest fan vaulting. You can visit for free during services
The Scott Polar Research Institute(external link, opens in a new tab) includes a Polar Museum which celebrates female figures in polar history, explorers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton and some of the iconic ships that sailed to the Antarctic
Visit the Ruskin Gallery(external link, opens in a new tab), which champions new artists and is adjacent to the artists’ studios of Cambridge School of Art, so you can check out students’ work too
Step back in time at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology(external link, opens in a new tab), which prides itself on representing Indigenous artists
Accessible Cambridge
If you require assistance for any part of your rail journey, please visit our Passenger Assist page to find out more
To search or browse accessible attractions, restaurants, hotels and more, visit the AccessAble website(external link, opens in a new tab)
Theatre and shows in Cambridge
See drama, dance, opera or panto at the Cambridge Arts Theatre(external link, opens in a new tab), which brings world-class touring productions and West End shows to the city
Spot a future star at ADC Theatre(external link, opens in a new tab), a student-run theatre whose alumni include Emma Thompson, Emma Corrin and Ian McKellen
Catch a pop-up comedy show with Big Deal Comedy(external link, opens in a new tab), which aims to bring affordable comedy to as many people as possible
Music in Cambridge
Cambridge Junction(external link, opens in a new tab) has been putting on live music since 1990 and is known for spotting up-an-coming bands
At the heart of the pub circuit is the Portland Arms(external link, opens in a new tab), which welcomes local, national and international acts in an intimate space
The Cambridge Corn Exchange(external link, opens in a new tab) is the city’s most famous venue and performers have included David Bowie, Johnny Cash and Adele
LGBTQIA+ Cambridge
Every year, Cambridge holds its annual Pride Festival(external link, opens in a new tab)
The Dot Cotton Club(external link, opens in a new tab), Cambridge’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ night, plays a mix of pop, dance and R&B
Follow the free, self-guided Queer Cambridge Audio Trail(external link, opens in a new tab), which explores the city’s queer spaces
Cambridge in film and TV
Cambridge is a popular shooting location for many film and TV shows, including:
Scenes from The Theory of Everything were filmed in Trinity College, Cambridge
Grantchester was filmed in the English village of the same name, a 40-minute walk from the centre of Cambridge
Sylvia, the 2003 film about Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, starring Daniel Craig and Gwyneth Paltrow, was partly shot in Cambridge University
Find out more about Cambridge
Go to the Visit Cambridge website(external link, opens in a new tab).
Get 1/3 off train fares with a Railcard
Save up to 1/3 off your trips when you travel by train with a Railcard
From children to seniors, over 20 million people in Great Britain can save with a Railcard. See which one is right for you
Buy yours today for just £35 and you’ll make the cost back in 1 or 2 trips!
Journey times and offers are correct at time of publication but subject to change.
Cambridge Junction image credit: © eLife Sciences Publications, licensed under CC BY 2.0
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