- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
The University of Cambridge’s principal museum, known for Egyptian antiquities, paintings, manuscripts, and decorative arts. A major cultural highlight and one of the city’s best indoor visits.
Cheapest price
$143
Average price
$144
Fastest journey
4 h 43 m
Average duration
4 h 59 m
Trains per day
16
Distance
470 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Cambridge will cost around $144 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $143.
It's difficult to get from Edinburgh to Cambridge without transferring at least once.
G08186 · C01934 · G07981+
G00812
G08186 · C01934+
C10184
G80049 · L01631+
G00814
C01942+
P66865+
C04357
C02006+
G00814
G25682+
W45425
G08175 · C01939 · G07971+
G00806
G08186 · C01934 · G07981+
G00812
G80049 · L01631+
G00814
G08180 · L01628+
G00808Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $34. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $34, and a train costs an average of $62.
Distance: 292 miles (470 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$130 Average price | $63 Average price Cheapest | $69 Average price | $161 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 13m Average total duration 4h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 49m Average total duration 11h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 40m Average total duration Fastest 1h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Cambridge:
A bus is $6 (€5) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Cambridge costing on average $69 (€57).
A bus is $67 (€55) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Cambridge costing on average $130 (€107).
Other travel options to Cambridge take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 43m.
Bus takes on average 11h 19m.
The journey is about 1h 52m faster (4h 43m by train vs 6h 35m by car) and roughly $31 (€25) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($130 (€107) vs $161 (€133)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Cambridge trains for today, Thursday, July 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G08180 · L01628+ G00808 | On time 8:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h03 | 1:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
G25682+ W45425 | On time 8:26 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h43 | 1:09 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 1 transfer | |
C02015+ C04350+ P66849 | On time 8:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 1:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 2 transfers | |
C02015+ G00812 | On time 8:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h33 | 2:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 1 transfer | |
G08186 · C01934 · G07981+ G00812 | On time 9:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h03 | 2:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 3 transfers | |
G08186 · C01934+ C10184 | On time 9:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h05 | 2:05 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
G08186 · C01934+ C10184 | On time 9:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h59 | 1:59 PM Cambridge South | 2 transfers | |
C02006+ C04354+ P66855 | On time 9:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 2:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 2 transfers | |
C02006+ G00814 | On time 9:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h33 | 3:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 1 transfer | |
G80049 · L01631+ G00814 | On time 10:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h03 | 3:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
C01942+ C04357+ P66865 | On time 10:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 3:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 2 transfers | |
G80061 · C01950+ C10172 | On time 12:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h06 | 5:06 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
C02007+ W32877+ C82671 | On time 12:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h36 | 6:06 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
G80067 · C01907+ W45405 | On time 1:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 6:09 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
G80067 · C01907+ C18610 · C82671 | On time 1:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h06 | 6:06 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 3 transfers | |
C02014+ G00824 | On time 1:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 4h42 | 6:12 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 1 transfer | |
G80073 · L01636+ G00826 | 2:00 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h04 | 7:04 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
C02046+ C04368+ P01180 | On time 2:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 7:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 2 transfers | |
C02046+ G00828 | On time 2:30 PM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h21 | 7:51 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, July 10 | |||||
C01968 · G07964+ G00841 | 5:50 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h13 | 11:03 AM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
C01968+ C18549 | 5:50 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h15 | 11:05 AM Cambridge station (CBG) | 1 transfer | |
C02042+ C04344+ P66833 | 6:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 11:39 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 2 transfers | |
G08175 · C01939 · G07971+ G00806 | 7:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h02 | 12:02 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 3 transfers | |
G08175 · C01939+ C10182 | 7:00 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h05 | 12:05 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 2 transfers | |
C02002+ P66838+ C04347 | 7:30 AM Edinburgh Waverley (EDB) | 5h09 | 12:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 2 transfers | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight 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.
Trains from Edinburgh to Cambridge run on average 8 times per day, taking around 4h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $62 (€51) but you can travel from only $25 (€20) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 03:00, the last at 23:42. The fastest train covers the 292 miles (470 km) distance in 4h 38m.
Distance 292 miles (470 km) |
Average train duration 4h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price $62 (€51) |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 4h 38m |
First train 3:00 AM |
Last train 11:42 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 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 principal museum, known for Egyptian antiquities, paintings, manuscripts, and decorative arts. A major cultural highlight and one of the city’s best indoor visits.
A distinctive house-museum and modern art gallery combining contemporary exhibitions with an atmospheric domestic setting. One of Cambridge’s most stylish and locally loved cultural spaces.
University museum with important world cultures and archaeology collections, including Pacific artifacts, anthropology displays, and material on human history and Cambridge research.
The famous riverside area behind several colleges offers classic Cambridge views of lawns, bridges, and historic buildings. Ideal for walking, photography, and punting scenery.
The city’s most iconic central street, lined with historic university buildings and constant visitor activity. It is the classic place to absorb Cambridge’s academic atmosphere.
A beautifully maintained botanical garden with diverse plant collections, glasshouses, and seasonal color. Popular for quiet visits, photography, and a break from the busy historic core.
A sticky currant-filled bun strongly associated with Cambridge through Fitzbillies, where it has been a local favorite for decades.
The Cambridge version of crème brûlée, a rich baked custard with a caramelized sugar top linked to Trinity College traditions.
A classic English ritual of tea served with sandwiches, scones, and cakes, widely enjoyed in Cambridge tearooms and colleges.
A celebrated fine-dining restaurant on the River Cam, known for refined modern British cooking and an elegant special-occasion atmosphere.
A respected neighborhood restaurant serving seasonal British cuisine in a polished but relaxed setting near the city center.
A historic Cambridge pub famous for classic British dishes, ales, and its long connection to the city’s academic and wartime history.
Prices are above the UK average for hotels and dining, especially in central areas, but supermarkets, pubs, and buses help keep daily costs manageable.
Service charge may be added in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is standard for good service. No tip needed for pubs at the bar. Round up or add a little for taxis. Not expected for takeaway coffee.
Official public transport app
Cambridge Railway Station, Cambridge -> Drummer Street Bus Station, Cambridge
The train connection between Edinburgh and Cambridge offers a convenient and scenic journey through the heart of the UK. Passengers can choose from several providers, including London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, and Cross Country. With frequent services available throughout the day, travelers can enjoy comfortable seating and onboard amenities while taking in picturesque views along the route. Whether you're heading for business or leisure, this rail link makes it easy to explore two cities rich in history and culture.
The train connection from Edinburgh to Cambridge takes approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes, with a total of 0 direct connections available per day. Passengers will need to make at least one transfer during their journey. The average waiting time between trains is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The first daily train journey from Edinburgh departs at 04:48, providing an early start for travelers. The last departure of the day is scheduled for 19:36, allowing visitors ample time to explore both cities before returning.
The cheapest ticket price for a train journey between Edinburgh and Cambridge is €18. The average ticket price typically hovers around €49, making it essential to book in advance or look for deals if you're aiming to save on your travel expenses.
The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Its significance lies not only in its academic excellence but also as a birthplace for groundbreaking discoveries and influential thinkers like Sir Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. As you stroll through its historic colleges, you'll be captivated by stunning architecture that reflects centuries of scholarly tradition.
King's College Chapel is an architectural masterpiece completed in 1515, renowned for its breathtaking Gothic design and magnificent stained glass windows. This chapel holds great cultural importance as it serves both religious functions and hosts exceptional choral performances that resonate with visitors from around the globe. Don't miss the chance to admire Henry VI’s original tomb inside; it's a unique feature steeped in history.
The Fitzwilliam Museum stands out as Cambridge's premier art museum, housing an impressive collection ranging from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces. Established in 1816 through a generous bequest by Richard Fitzwilliam, this institution plays a vital role in preserving artistic heritage while making it accessible to all who visit. Be sure to explore its unique features such as exquisite Egyptian mummies alongside works by Van Gogh—it's truly a treasure trove waiting to inspire your imagination!
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Cambridge by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cambridge, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need