Quick answer: A Cambridge day trip costs £40–£80 from London including the train, and a weekend £200–£340 per person with a central hotel.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Cambridge from the UK”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/destinations/cambridge/
Cambridge is smaller than Oxford and easier to see in a day: the colleges back onto the river, the Backs walk takes half an hour, and punting is the correct way to end the afternoon.
When to go
- Best months: May, June and September
- Cheapest months: January and February
- Avoid: Late June, when May Balls and graduations close the colleges
What it costs
| Return train from London | £30–£65 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel, per night | £100–£180 |
| Punting, per hour | £20–£30 |
| King's College Chapel | £12–£15 |
Typical ranges from our partner searches, 2026-11-12. Treat them as bands: the season and the lead time move them.
Getting there
Trains from King's Cross in 50 minutes and from Liverpool Street in 70. The station is a 25-minute walk or a short bus from the centre.
Pricing the trip? See what a weekend in Cambridge costs, line by line.
What to see
- King's College Chapel, for the fan vaulting
- The Backs walk past Trinity and St John's
- Punting to Grantchester, if you have two hours
- The Fitzwilliam Museum, free, for a wet afternoon
Where to stay
The centre for one night, Mill Road for food and cheaper rooms, and Grantchester for a countryside stay with a walk into town.
Frequently asked questions
Oxford or Cambridge?
Cambridge is smaller and prettier in an hour; Oxford has more to do over a weekend. Both are an hour from London.
Can you go inside the colleges?
Some, for a fee, and not during exams. King's and Trinity are the ones people queue for.
Is punting worth it?
Yes, once. Self-hire is cheaper and more fun; a chauffeured punt comes with the commentary.
Also worth a look
- London: The most museums you can see for free anywhere in Europe.
- Oxford: Spires, quadrangles and a river you can punt on.
- York: The best weekend city in England, walls and all.