- Must visit
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery
The town's main museum, celebrated for its shoe collections, local history, and changing exhibitions in a restored central building.
Cheapest price
$19
Average price
$39
Fastest journey
4 h 25 m
Average duration
5 h 57 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
68 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cambridge to Northampton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cambridge to Northampton will cost around $39 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
Of the 3 buses that leave Cambridge for Northampton on Fri, Jul 31, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 31 the direct buses cover the 68 km distance in an average of 5 h 57 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 25 m .
On Fri, Jul 31 the slowest buses will take 7 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cambridge to Northampton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 29m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $41.
Distance: 42 miles (68 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$29 Average price Cheapest | $103 Average price | $20 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 26m Average total duration 3h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 59m Average total duration Fastest 2h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 12m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cambridge to Northampton:
A bus is $74 (€61) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cambridge to Northampton costing on average $103 (€84).
Other travel options to Northampton take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 56m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:05AM | Arrival Time 02:05PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:40AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 7h35 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:25PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 4h25 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:40PM | Arrival Time 03:05AM | Duration 4h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $70 |
The table below shows live departures for Cambridge to Northampton buses for today, Thursday, July 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:30 PM Cambridge | 7h35 | 8:05 PM Northampton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:00 PM Cambridge | 5h50 | 6:50 PM Northampton | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:40 PM Cambridge | 4h25 | 3:05 AM Northampton | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Cambridge to Northampton run on average 6 times per day, taking around 3h 56m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:25, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 42 miles (68 km) distance in 4h 20m.
Distance 42 miles (68 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 56m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 4h 20m |
First bus 1:25 AM |
Last bus 11:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Northampton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Northampton trip today.
The town's main museum, celebrated for its shoe collections, local history, and changing exhibitions in a restored central building.
Specialist display areas and interpretation at the historic 78 Derngate house, illuminating Charles Rennie Mackintosh's interior design legacy.
Historic country house museum in extensive parkland. Displays reveal aristocratic life, the Civil War, and the estate's wider landscape.
Extensive riverside parkland around Delapré Abbey, valued for walking, views, and access to one of the town's most historic estates.
Popular urban park with a lake, birdlife, and family-friendly paths. A pleasant stop for a quieter break from the town centre.
Historic shopping street famous for 78 Derngate and fine Victorian architecture. It is ideal for a short heritage walk near the town centre.
A spiced cured beef sausage long linked with Northamptonshire. It is a classic local breakfast and sandwich filling with a distinctive peppery flavour.
A historic county pudding of suet pastry filled with apples or jam, then boiled or steamed. It is a traditional farmhouse dessert in Northamptonshire.
Crumbly local cheese traditionally made in Northamptonshire. Its mild, creamy taste makes it a regional staple on cheeseboards and in ploughman’s lunches.
Elegant fine dining restaurant known for modern British tasting menus, polished service and a refined special-occasion atmosphere.
Popular gastropub serving British classics, steaks and Sunday roasts in a relaxed village-style setting with a strong local reputation.
Well-regarded central venue for dry-aged steaks and grilled dishes, offering a contemporary interior and dependable service.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly affordable for tourists.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and small change is fine in cafes.
Official public transport app
Northampton Town Centre -> Northampton Town Centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cambridge to Northampton by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Northampton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cambridge to Northampton buses use the Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) to Northampton, Town Centre station pair, with some services arriving at Northampton, Far Cotton. Use this guide to compare Cambridge and Northampton bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need