Trains to Cambridge

Famous for its prestigious university, Cambridge has good rail links with London, with the fastest services from the capital reaching the East Anglian city in under two hours. Cambridge has a main station south of the city center and another station on the north-east side of the city. In addition to routes to London, Cambridge has direct rail services from Stansted Airport, links to Norwich and other East Anglian towns, and services from Birmingham and the Midlands.

Which is the main train station in Cambridge?

Cambridge station is over a mile south of the center, its location selected in the 19th century to deter students from making a quick getaway to the capital. Bus and Guided Busway services offer frequent connections downtown. Cambridge North station is located on the north-east side of the city, providing an additional stop for routes from King's Lynn, Norwich, and East Anglian destinations.

Which train companies offer trains to Cambridge?

The major rail operator providing trains to Cambridge is Abellio Greater Anglia, which has regular connections from London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport in addition to several routes in East Anglia, from Norwich, Ipswich, and Bury St Edmunds, which also call at Cambridge North. Thameslink provides an alternative route to Cambridge from London King's Cross. Cross Country Trains have connections to Cambridge from Liverpool, Birmingham, Peterborough, and Stansted Airport.

Why travel by train to Cambridge?

The frequency of trains from London to Cambridge makes it a convenient way to visit the city. Thameslink trains from King's Cross take under an hour for most services, while Abellio Greater Anglia connections from Liverpool Street take just over an hour. Stansted Airport also has direct rail connections with Cambridge, with journey times of around 30 minutes.

Before you travel to Cambridge by train - good to know!

Thanks to its abundant student population, Cambridge has built up a busy calendar of festivals and fairs. In addition to the annual Cambridge Folk Festival, attracting top international acts, the city stages such events as the Strawberry Fair on Midsummer Common, with live music and children's attractions, the Cambridge Beer Festival, and several food and drink fairs on Parker's Piece. Locals tend to get around the city on bicycles, but the bus and Guided Busway routes in Cambridge are ideal for getting out to neighboring villages such as Grantchester.