How to get to Cambridge

Located less than 60 miles from London, Cambridge is an easy city to reach whether by road, rail or air. We encourage all our visitors to choose the most sustainable mode of transport available to them whenever possible.

Train

Wherever you are travelling from, Cambridge can be accessed from all points of the UK via train. Your group can take in the most spectacular scenery and beat the traffic! Most of the trainline operators have either fully electric or hybrid trains with some being available for private hire. Check with your chosen operator for services offered. The below currently serve Cambridge Railway Train Station:

Greater Anglia
Thameslink - This train company is very useful because its trains come straight to Cambridge from the international airport, London Gatwick Airport, and from St Pancras Station in London, where the Eurostar arrives from Europe.
Cross Country
Great Northern

Tip:
Cambridge has 2 train stations, Cambridge and Cambridge North. If you are travelling to the city centre, head for Cambridge train station; the direct train from London King’s Cross will bring your group into the city within 45 minutes. Cambridge North will take you out of the city towards the Cambridge Science Park.

Outside of London, the closest national hub train station is Peterborough.

Coach

Travelling by coach is a fantastic sustainable and cost-effective way to travel into the city. Typically, luggage restrictions are not quite so severe and travelling by coach is a great way for your group to bond socially.

Tip:
Check out National Express coaches which run direct from all UK airports to Cambridge and can be hired privately. Journey times via National Express coaches between the main London airports and Cambridge are:

London Stansted: Approximately 45 minutes
London Luton: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
London Heathrow: Approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes (this includes a stop at London Stansted Airport to collect / drop off passengers)
London Gatwick: We would suggest taking the Thameslink train as currently, there is no direct coach

Airplane

If you are flying from overseas, consider using a comparison website like Skyscanner which can filter flights with lower than average CO₂ emissions. Typically, these are 6% less but can go up to around 11%. Alternatively, you can use the carbon emissions calculator International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Airports Closest to Cambridge:

Chartered Flights:
Cambridge City Airport
Cambridge has its own airport located less than 3 miles from the city centre. It is suitable for general aviation and intercontinental business jets - perfect for those groups who enjoy a little more luxury and exclusivity.
Scheduled Flights:
Cambridge has great access to all the London based airports and in particular, London Stansted Airport. Located less 30 miles away, the airport operates as a hub for various low-cost airlines and currently flies to 160 destinations across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City are all international airports located less than 100 miles away.

Tip:
If your group are flying into Stansted, consider taking the Stansted Express train which connects the airport with Cambridge, via a direct line; it takes approximately 30 minutes. Likewise, Thameslink run a direct train from London Gatwick to the city, a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes. Alternatively and for the budget conscious group as well as those flying into other airports, National Express coaches can be hired privately and run direct between your chosen airport and Cambridge.