- 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
$5
Average price
$5
Fastest journey
12 m
Average duration
13 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
24 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 2 trains that leave Ely for Cambridge on Sun, Jul 12, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jul 12 the direct trains cover the 24 km distance in an average of 13 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 12 m .
On Sun, Jul 12 the slowest trains will take 13 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)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$4 Average price Cheapest | $5 Average price | $7 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
44m Average total duration Fastest 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 4m Average total duration 34m 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.
The journey is about 28m faster (14m by train vs 42m by car) and roughly $2 (€2) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($4 (€3) vs $7 (€5)). 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.
Direct services run with Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Cross Country.
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 Ely to Cambridge trains for today, Saturday, July 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C93322 | On time 6:17 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 6:31 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66789 | On time 6:27 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 6:39 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C93326 | On time 6:51 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 7:05 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C93332 | On time 7:17 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 7:31 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66798 | On time 7:27 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 7:39 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C93337 | On time 7:47 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 8:01 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C93343 | On time 8:17 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 8:31 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P01148 | On time 8:27 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 8:39 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00802 | On time 8:48 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 9:03 AM Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C93348 | On time 8:51 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 9:05 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
C93353 | On time 9:17 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 9:31 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P01157 | On time 9:27 AM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 9:39 AM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77001 | On time 12:18 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 12:32 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66837 | On time 12:27 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 12:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00809 | On time 12:48 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 1:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77006 | On time 12:51 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 1:05 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77011 | On time 1:17 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 1:31 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P01162 | On time 1:27 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 1:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00815 | On time 2:48 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 3:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G27009 | On time 2:51 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 3:05 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77031 | On time 3:17 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 3:31 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66863 | On time 3:27 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 3:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00817 | On time 3:48 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 4:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77036 | On time 3:51 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 4:05 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77042 | On time 4:17 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 4:31 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P76865 | On time 4:27 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 4:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00820 | On time 4:48 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 5:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77048 | On time 4:51 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 5:05 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77054 | On time 5:17 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 5:31 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66875 | On time 5:27 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 5:39 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P01187 | On time 9:38 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 9:50 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00836 | On time 9:48 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 10:03 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77104 | On time 9:51 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 10:05 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77109 | On time 10:21 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 10:35 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77114 | On time 10:48 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 11:02 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G00840 | On time 10:54 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h17 | 11:11 PM Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 transfersDirect | |
G77130 | On time 11:21 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 11:35 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P01195 | On time 11:38 PM Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 11:50 PM Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Ely to Cambridge run on average 8 times per day, taking around 14m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $4 (€3) if you book in advance.
There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:53. The fastest train covers the 14 miles (24 km) distance in 12m.
Distance 14 miles (24 km) |
Average train duration 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $4 (€3) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 8 |
Fastest train 12m |
First train 12:05 AM |
Last train 11:53 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 2 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
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ely 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