Cambridge is a small and busy city in the East of England, in the UK. It wasn’t built with modern traffic flows in mind. If possible, we recommend visiting the centre – where many of the University buildings and Colleges are situated – on foot.
Find out how to get to Cambridge and how to get around.
Travelling to Cambridge
By car
If you’re planning on driving to Cambridge, we strongly recommend that you use the Park & Ride.
Those travelling from the north, can use the Guided Busway Park & Ride services (follow signs for Longstanton P&R from Junction 29 of the A14).
Parking in the city centre is limited and several city centre roads have restricted access with penalties for using them.
Disabled parking
Disabled parking is available in the city’s car parks and on some streets. Please check in advance with the Cambridge Tourist Information Centre or visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/parking.
If you're visiting for the Open Days, check the accessibility information on the Information for the day page.
By train
The main station is about one mile from the city centre.
There is another train station, Cambridge North, around 2 miles north of the city. See National rail enquiries for train timetables and to book tickets.
There’s a taxi rank outside the main Cambridge station and buses run frequently between the station and city centre (to/from Emmanuel Street/St Andrew's Street).
By coach
National Express coaches usually stop on Parkside, next to Parker’s Piece in the city centre.
By air
The nearest airports to Cambridge are Stansted (30 miles) and Luton (40 miles). There's a direct train link to Cambridge from Stansted and Gatwick airports, and Heathrow airport is also easily accessible by train (via London King's Cross/London St Pancras). In addition, buses regularly run from Stansted, Luton, Heathrow and Gatwick airports to the city centre.
Getting around Cambridge
Walking
Where possible, walking is often the most convenient way to travel around the city.
If you’re attending the Open Days, download our map (PDF, 2MB) to help you find your way around the city and open day sites.
Estimated walking times and distances
The estimated times will vary depending on your route and walking pace.
Drummer Street/Emmanuel Street bus stops to:
- New Museums and Downing Sites – 5 minutes (0.4 miles)
- Sidgwick Site – 20 minutes (0.9 miles)
City centre to:
- Sidgwick Site – 15 minutes (0.7 miles)
- Cambridge train station – 20 to 25 minutes (1 mile)
- West Cambridge site – 35 to 40 minutes (2 miles)
New Museums and Downing Sites to:
- Sidgwick Site – 15 minutes (0.8 miles)
- West Cambridge Site – 35 to 40 minutes (2 miles)
Sidgwick Site to West Cambridge Site – 25 to 30 minutes (1.5 miles)
Buses
The 'U' / Universal bus service runs from Eddington, next to the Madingley Road Park and Ride site, through to our Biomedical Campus via Cambridge train station. This links many departments and Colleges.
The U bus:
- costs £3.50 for unlimited travel (buy your ticket from the bus driver)
- runs every 5 to 10 minutes
- stops are labelled on Open Day maps
Local bus services usually run to/from Cambridge bus station in Drummer Street, and/or the adjacent Emmanuel Street and St Andrew’s Street. There are frequent buses from the railway station to the city centre.