The London to Cambridge train route links the capital with the historic university city of Cambridge. Frequent, fast services operate throughout the day, making the train the most convenient way to travel between London and Cambridge.
1. Journey Overview
- Fastest journey: ~48 minutes
- Typical journey time: 50m – 1h 15m
- Distance: ~50 miles (80 km)
- Direct trains: Yes
- Frequency: 2–4 trains per hour
- Main operators: Great Northern, Thameslink
2. Departure and Arrival Stations
London King’s Cross
Fast services to Cambridge depart from London King’s Cross. For station facilities and connections, see the London King’s Cross Station Guide.
Cambridge Station
Cambridge Station is the city’s main rail station, located around 1 mile from the city centre.
3. Route Highlights
Direct services commonly call at:
- Stevenage
- Royston
The route runs through the Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire countryside.
4. Onboard Experience
- Free Wi-Fi on most services
- Power sockets at seats
- Air-conditioned carriages
- Quiet zones on some trains
5. Best Time to Travel
- Peak: Weekday mornings and evenings
- Off-peak: Late morning, midday and evening
- Weekends: Busy with tourists
6. Ticket Tips
- Book Advance tickets early for lower fares
- Use Off-Peak tickets for flexibility
- Railcards save up to 33%
7. Useful Connections
- For Oxford travel, see the London to Oxford Train Guide.
- For northern routes, see the London to Leeds Train Guide.
- For Scotland travel, see the London to Edinburgh Train Guide.
8. Why Choose the Train?
- Fast and frequent services
- City-centre to city-centre access
- No driving or parking stress
- Comfortable and reliable
Part of our Train Routes in the UK series.