London to Cambridge: Travel Times by Train and Bus

Just 50 miles north of London, Cambridge makes for an easy day trip or weekend getaway. Your mode of transport dramatically changes the experience.

By Train: Fast & Frequent

Fastest: ~45 minutes via Great Northern or Thameslink from London King's Cross or London Liverpool Street to Cambridge Station. These run every 30 minutes at peak times.

Slower options: CrossCountry or Greater Anglia services (via London Liverpool Street or Stratford) take 60–75 minutes, often cheaper if booked off-peak.

Pro tip: Book Advance tickets 12 weeks out for the best fares. Contactless/Oyster works only to the London fare zone boundary (not all the way to Cambridge).

By Bus: Budget-Friendly but Slower

Average: ~2 hours depending on traffic. National Express runs from Victoria Coach Station; Stagecoach (the X5 Oxford Tube route) departs from various central London stops. Both serve Cambridge's Parkside or Drummer Street bus stations.

Traffic on the M11 or A10 can add 30+ minutes at rush hour. Buses run hourly; last departures are typically around midnight.

Which to Choose?

Train for speed, reliability, and city-center-to-city-center convenience. Bus for lower cost (often £5–£15 vs. £15–£40 train) and if you're traveling with bulky luggage or bikes. Always check real-time updates before departure—weekend engineering works on rails and M11 accidents on roads are common disruptors.