Hi,
I'm thinking of going to Cambridge by bus or train from Norwich or London. As I recall, the train station is pretty far out. I'm not sure about the bus station.
Could someone please chime in on.... where the main (from/to London or Norwich) bus station is, and if there are buses that go from Central Cambridge to the train station (as my forward journey would likely start there).
Cheers all!
Yes, the railway station is away from the city centre. The Visit Cambridge website has information on getting to Cambridge by coach (bus) and rail, and includes this:
For bus services from Cambridge railway station into the city centre
look for the Citi 1, Citi 3 or Citi 7 services.
On this page of the Cambridgeshire County Council, there's information and a link to timetables for the Citi services.
The National Express website page for the Cambridge Coach Station includes a map. It looks like a central location to me.
I went to Cambridge with London Walks a few years ago. They'd hired a bus to meet us at the train station and to take us back there after our walking tour was over. IIRC our guide said that when the railway was proposed to be brought to Cambridge, the academic powers-that-be were horrified at the prospect of the opportunities for temptation, dissipation, and degradation that the railway would present to the pure souls of the students. So the station was put a mile out of town to make dissipation harder to access. I have no clue if that's true but it's a great story.
The train from Norwich to Cambridge takes about an hour and 20 minutes. It arrives at Cambridge station, which is nearly across the street from the Cambridge Botanic Garden and a shortish walk into town or frequent bus into the centre.
Where do you want to get to in Cambridge?
There is no central bus station for other than local buses, and not all buses pass through the Drummer Street area. There is no building, just a series of many bus stops. National Express don't stop there. National Express stop at a bus stop at Parkside which is near the Leisure Centre and somewhat near the Grafton Centre. They also stop at two or three of the Park-and-Rides. Again, just a bus stop, but in the case of those there is also usually a bit of cover and toilets, and then the dedicated buses into the centre. Some of the Park and Ride buses serve the Drummer Street area but others don't.
Coaches take about 2 hours, and can be delayed by all the construction on the A14 trunk road.
What Nigel said. I would add a couple of points. If you arrive by train, the bus stops are to your left as you exit the station. I think there's a guide to bus services just as you leave the station but I can't swear to it.
Alternatively, it is only a 15-20 minute walk to the city centre and sometimes this quicker than waiting for the bus. You walk straight along Station Road (facing you as you exit station), then turn right and walk along Hills Road and Regent Street. The Botanic Garden (botanic.cam.ac.uk) has an entrance on Hills Road at Station Road.
Thanks for the info! My plan was to go to Stamford, but just wasn’t sure how to get to the train station from the colleges by bus w/ (very small ) luggage
Thanks very much
The buses from the city centre to the station leave from Emmanuel Street. The trains to Stamford (the CrossCountry service between Stansted Airport and Birmingham New Street) are quite short (2 or 3 coaches) and, in my experience, can be quite busy. I'd definitely recommend seat reservations. The bonus is a wonderful view of Ely Cathedral as the train goes round that city.
Thanks so much! That really helps!
