Cambridge
Best day trips from Cambridge: how to get there and what to see
Ely is the best day trip from Cambridge: 15–20 minutes by direct train, no car needed, half a day for the cathedral. Peterborough and London follow on the same line. Choose London only if you want a full 12-hour day; choose Ely or Peterborough if you want to be back for dinner.
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Key facts
- Best no-car day trip
- Ely: direct train, about 15–20 minutes
- Second pick
- Peterborough: direct train, about 50–60 minutes
- Longest useful day
- London: about 1 h to 1 h 30 by train from Cambridge
- Ticket type
- Off-Peak Day Return; advance singles can be cheaper on longer routes
- Cheapest fares
- Book ahead or travel off-peak; walk-up fares are the highest
- Car needed
- No for Ely, Peterborough or London; useful for the fens and villages
- Best season
- Apr–Oct for long daylight; Ely cathedral and city centre work all year
Compare the options
Cambridge sits on a fast rail line north to Ely, Peterborough and the north, and south to London. That makes three strong day trips possible without a car. Everything else in the region — the fens, small villages, Audley End — is easier with a car or a bus, and takes more planning.
Use the table to pick by time budget first, then by what you want to see.
| Destination | Travel time from Cambridge | Best for | Half or full day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ely | 15–20 min by train | Cathedral, riverside, small-city streets | Half day |
| Peterborough | 50–60 min by train | Norman cathedral, city centre | Half to full day |
| London | 1 h–1 h 30 by train | Museums, theatre, shopping | Full day |
| Fens and villages | 30–60 min by car | Flat landscapes, quiet lanes | Full day |
| Audley End | About 20 min by train | Country house and grounds | Half day |
Times are 2026 estimates; check the operator before you travel.
The trips in detail
Ely is the obvious first choice. The cathedral dominates a small city you can walk across in 20 minutes, and the train station is a short walk from the centre. Go in the morning, see the cathedral, walk the riverside, eat lunch, and be back in Cambridge by mid-afternoon. This is the trip to take if you have one free day and no car.
Peterborough is bigger and less pretty, but its Norman cathedral is one of the best in England and the journey is still under an hour. It works as a half day if you only want the cathedral, or a full day if you add the city centre and the museum. Trains run frequently, so you can decide on the day.
London is the full-day option. From Cambridge the fastest trains reach King's Cross or Liverpool Street in roughly an hour, though slower services take longer. A day in London means picking one area — the British Museum and Bloomsbury, or the South Bank, or Westminster — rather than trying to see the city. Book your return train in advance and set a hard leaving time, or you will miss the last cheap fare.
With a car, the fens open up: flat, quiet roads, small churches, and villages that see few visitors. This is not a tick-box trip; it is for travellers who like driving and stopping where they want. Fuel and parking are the main costs.
- Ely: cathedral, riverside walk, market square, lunch
- Peterborough: cathedral, city centre, museum
- London: one district, one museum, one meal
- Fens by car: villages, churches, dykes and lanes
- Audley End: country house, gardens, parkland
What it costs
Rail fares in Britain are highest when you buy on the day and travel at peak times. Off-Peak Day Returns are the standard product for day trips and are usually the simplest option. For London, advance single tickets bought a few weeks ahead can be much cheaper than a walk-up return, but they tie you to a specific train.
Prices below are 2026 estimates for an adult return, off-peak. Treat them as a band, not a quote.
| Trip | Typical adult return (2026 estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge–Ely | £5–£8 | Very short hop; buy at the station |
| Cambridge–Peterborough | £12–£20 | Off-peak day return |
| Cambridge–London | £25–£60 | Advance singles can be cheaper; peak costs more |
| Audley End | £8–£12 | Check house opening days before you go |
| Fens by car | Fuel plus parking | No fixed figure; depends on distance |
Practical tips
Buy before you board. Most UK stations have ticket machines and apps; buying on the train is not always possible and can cost more.
Travel off-peak where you can. Peak fares apply on weekday mornings into London and on the return in the evening rush.
Check engineering works. Weekend closures on the Cambridge line are common; the operator will run replacement buses, which add time.
For Ely and Peterborough, you do not need to book ahead. For London, booking ahead is the single biggest saving.
Take a contactless card or phone for London transport inside the city; you will not need a paper travelcard.
- Buy tickets before boarding
- Avoid weekday peak if you can
- Check for weekend engineering works
- Book London trains in advance
- Use contactless for London buses and Tube
Questions people ask
What are the best day trips from Cambridge?
Ely is the best all-round day trip: direct train, about 15–20 minutes, and a walkable cathedral city. Peterborough is the next easy option at under an hour. London is the full-day choice, roughly 1–1.5 hours by train. With a car, the fens and villages open up.
Can I visit these places without a car?
Yes for Ely, Peterborough, London and Audley End — all have direct or easy rail links from Cambridge. The fens and smaller villages are much easier with a car or a local bus, and some have limited Sunday services.
How long do day trips from Cambridge take?
Ely is a half day, about 4–5 hours including travel. Peterborough is half to full day. London needs a full day, roughly 12 hours door to door. Fens drives depend on how far you go; plan 6–8 hours.
Do I need to book train tickets in advance?
For Ely and Peterborough, no — buy at the station. For London, yes: advance singles booked a few weeks ahead are usually much cheaper than walk-up fares, though they tie you to a specific train.
What is the cheapest day trip from Cambridge?
Ely. The return fare is typically £5–£8 off-peak (2026 estimate), the journey is short, and the main sights are free to walk around. Peterborough is the next cheapest at roughly £12–£20 return.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialNational Rail – journey planner and fares
- officialVisitBritain – England
- secondaryWikivoyage – Cambridge