How Far Is London to Cambridge? | Miles, Time And Routes

London and Cambridge are about 49 miles apart in a straight line, 58–63 miles by road, and 50 minutes apart by the fastest train.

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The answer to how far London is from Cambridge changes with the route and your starting point. Central London and central Cambridge sit roughly 49 miles apart as the crow flies, while the usual road trip covers about 58–63 miles.

For most visitors, a direct train from London King’s Cross is the fastest practical choice. The quickest scheduled services reach Cambridge in about 50 minutes, while trains from London Liverpool Street usually take 1 hour 12 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

London To Cambridge Distance By Route

London to Cambridge measures about 47 miles by rail and roughly 58–63 miles by road. The difference comes from where each route leaves London, which roads or tracks it follows, and whether the endpoint is Cambridge station, Cambridge South, or the city center.

Cambridge station is about one mile southeast of the historic center, so allow another 20–25 minutes on foot. A train time alone does not include the Tube ride to your London terminal or the walk from Cambridge station to the colleges.

Fastest And Lowest-Cost Travel Options

The fastest standard option is a direct train from London King’s Cross, while the lowest fare may be an Advance train ticket or a National Express coach. The cheapest choice changes by date, departure point, and how early you reserve.

Compare live rail, coach, and transfer options for your exact travel date here:

Price note: Fares below were checked in July 2026. Dollar conversions use about £1 = $1.34 and are rounded; live prices can change by departure.

Which London Station Should You Use?

London King’s Cross suits travelers prioritizing speed, while London Liverpool Street can save time for people staying in the City or east London. Stratford works well for the fastest coach listed by National Express, and Victoria gives a central coach departure.

London King’s Cross

Great Northern confirms the direct service as the fastest city-center rail option on its London King’s Cross to Cambridge timetable. Direct trains are frequent, but engineering work can lengthen weekend trips, so check the dated schedule before leaving.

London Liverpool Street

Greater Anglia runs direct services throughout the day, with a slower ride than the fastest King’s Cross trains. Liverpool Street is often the better starting point from Shoreditch, the City of London, or neighborhoods connected by the Elizabeth line.

Stratford And Victoria Coaches

National Express uses different Cambridge stops by service. Trumpington sits south of central Cambridge, while Parkside is closer to the colleges and central streets.

Driving From London To Cambridge

The usual drive covers about 58–63 miles and follows the M11 for most of the route. Light traffic can produce a trip near 1 hour 20 minutes, but London congestion, M11 delays, and the final approach into Cambridge can push it beyond two hours.

A typical gasoline car uses roughly £8–12 of fuel for the one-way drive at current UK pump prices, before parking. Driving becomes more competitive for three or four people, but a solo traveler usually saves time and avoids parking costs by taking the train.

• Leave before the weekday rush if possible; delays often build on the London approach and around the M25 junction.
• Use a Cambridge park-and-ride site when city-center parking is scarce or costly.
• Check whether your hotel includes parking before bringing a car into central Cambridge.

Reaching The Right Part Of Cambridge

Cambridge station is the right stop for the historic center, while Cambridge South is better for the Biomedical Campus and Cambridge North fits the Science Park area. Cambridge South opened on June 28, 2026, so older route pages may not show it.

• Cambridge: about a 20–25-minute walk to King’s College and the central university area.
• Cambridge South: direct from King’s Cross in as little as 45 minutes, but south of the historic center.
• Cambridge North: useful for north and northeast Cambridge rather than a first-time college visit.

For an overnight stay, compare Cambridge locations against the station and sights you plan to use:

London To Cambridge As A Day Trip

A Cambridge day trip from London is easy by fast train because the rail ride can take under an hour each way. A morning departure and early-evening return leave enough time for the central colleges, the River Cam, and a meal without rushing between distant districts.

1. Take a direct King’s Cross train around 8:00–9:00 a.m.
2. Walk or take a local bus from Cambridge station to the historic center.
3. Return after 6:00 p.m., checking evening peak restrictions before buying an Off-Peak ticket.

Weekend engineering work is the main reason a simple day trip can become slower. Check the operator’s dated timetable a few days before travel, then recheck on the morning of departure.

The Right Route For Your Trip

The King’s Cross train wins for speed, the coach or an early Advance fare wins for a tight budget, and Liverpool Street makes sense from east-central London. Driving fits groups carrying luggage or continuing into rural Cambridgeshire, not most city-center day visitors.

• For the shortest travel time: take a direct fast train from London King’s Cross to Cambridge.
• For the lowest fare: compare Advance rail tickets with the Stratford or Victoria coach for your date.
• For the least tiring ride: use a direct train and avoid road traffic and city-center parking.
• For east London: use Liverpool Street or Stratford to reduce cross-city travel before departure.
• For the Biomedical Campus: choose Cambridge South rather than continuing to Cambridge station.
• For three or four travelers: compare total rail fares with fuel and parking before deciding to drive.