- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
The University of Cambridge’s flagship museum, known for major collections of art, antiquities, and manuscripts. A top cultural stop with free permanent galleries.
Cheapest price
$5
Average price
$5
Fastest journey
30 m
Average duration
40 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
24 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Ely to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ely to Cambridge will cost around $5 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $5.
Of the 3 buses that leave Ely for Cambridge on Sat, Jun 20, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 24 km distance in an average of 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 30 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 45 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 Ely to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $4. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 14m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $4, and a bus costs an average of $5.
Distance: 14 miles (24 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$5 Average price | $4 Average price Cheapest | $7 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 4m Average total duration 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 44m Average total duration Fastest 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Ely to Cambridge:
A train is $1 (€1) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Ely to Cambridge costing on average $5 (€4).
Other travel options to Cambridge take longer:
Bus takes on average 34m.
You'll arrive about 8m sooner (34m by bus vs 42m by car) and save roughly $1 (€0.96) compared to fuel and tolls ($5 (€4) vs $7 (€5)). 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 A2B Bus & Coach (Royston).
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 Greater Anglia | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator A2B Bus & Coach (Royston) | Departure Time 07:20AM | Arrival Time 08:35AM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator Greater Anglia | Departure Time 07:32AM | Arrival Time 08:02AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator Greater Anglia | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator Greater Anglia | Departure Time 08:32AM | Arrival Time 09:02AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator Greater Anglia | Departure Time 09:01AM | Arrival Time 09:40AM | Duration 0h39 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator Greater Anglia | Departure Time 09:32AM | Arrival Time 10:02AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator A2B Bus & Coach (Royston) | Departure Time 10:17AM | Arrival Time 11:07AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator A2B Bus & Coach (Royston) | Departure Time 12:17PM | Arrival Time 01:07PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator A2B Bus & Coach (Royston) | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 02:31PM | Duration 1h16 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator A2B Bus & Coach (Royston) | Departure Time 01:17PM | Arrival Time 02:07PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator A2B Bus & Coach (Royston) | Departure Time 02:17PM | Arrival Time 03:07PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator A2B Bus & Coach (Royston) | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 05:36PM | Duration 0h56 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $0.00 |
Operator Great Northern | Departure Time 06:25PM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $9 |
The table below shows live departures for Ely to Cambridge buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:32 AM Ely | 0h30 | 9:02 AM Cambridge | 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 Ely to Cambridge run on average 6 times per day, taking around 34m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $5 (€4) but you can travel from only $4 (€3) by train.
There are 6 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:51. The fastest bus covers the 14 miles (24 km) distance in 30m.
Distance 14 miles (24 km) |
Average bus duration 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $5 (€4) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 6 |
Fastest bus 30m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:51 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Cambridge — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cambridge trip today.
The University of Cambridge’s flagship museum, known for major collections of art, antiquities, and manuscripts. A top cultural stop with free permanent galleries.
A renowned modern and contemporary art house museum with intimate displays and a distinctive domestic setting. One of Cambridge’s most characterful art venues.
University museum with important world archaeology and anthropology collections, including Pacific, African, and British material. Excellent for a deeper academic side of Cambridge.
The city’s most famous street, lined with historic college architecture and classic views of King’s College Chapel. Essential for first-time visitors.
A celebrated walking area with riverside paths and some of the city’s most iconic college views. Especially beautiful in spring and autumn.
The busy historic center of Cambridge, surrounded by major sights and a long-running market tradition. Good for atmosphere and people-watching.
A sticky spiced currant bun strongly associated with Cambridge through Fitzbillies, a long-standing local bakery and tea room.
Traditional local pork sausages, often served with mash or in breakfast plates, reflecting the county’s farming heritage.
A classic English Sunday roast commonly enjoyed in Cambridge pubs, with roasted beef, gravy, vegetables, and Yorkshire pudding.
A celebrated fine dining restaurant on the River Cam, known for refined modern British tasting menus and polished service.
A well-regarded independent restaurant serving seasonal modern British cuisine in an intimate, elegant townhouse setting.
A historic Cambridge pub famous for classic British food, ales, and its longstanding connection to the city’s academic history.
Costs are high by UK standards, especially for hotels and dining in the centre, though markets and pubs offer cheaper options.
Service charge may be added in restaurants; if not, tip 10-12.5% for good service. Round up in taxis. Tipping is not expected for counter service, though small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) -> Cambridge Railway Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ely to Cambridge 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 Cambridge, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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