We (3 adults) are planning a day trip to Cambridge from London during our trip in July. We’d like to take the train there in the morning and return after dinner that evening.
Should we plan to buy tickets in advance or on the day? It looks like there are many trains available so waiting may give us more flexibility but I’m not sure the implications on options and cost compared to buying in advance.
Thanks for your advice!
I am not sure that Advance tickets are available on the London-Cambridge route, and a day trip to Cambridge would be a waste on a rainy day IMO (much more to do in London in that case), so I would buy on the day. The best bet is probably an Off-Peak day return: you cannot leave London before 9.30 AM, but it still gives you plenty of time in Cambridge, you can return anytime, and it saves you £12/ticket vs an Anytime return.
Do mind that there are trains from St Pancras and from Liverpool Street to Cambridge. The Liverpool Street route is a bit slower and less frequent, but could be convenient depending on where you stay.
EDIT: forgot to mention that the time restriction on an Off-Peak ticket does not apply on Sat and Sun.
It looks as if the Liverpool Street trains can be quite a bit less expensive.
Whether taking a train after 9:30 AM gives you enough time in Cambridge may depend on how much time one spends in museums. The Fitzwilliam Museum is very good, and it is not small.
Hi Kelly -
I’m not sure the Off Peak Return will allow you to return ‘anytime’. Locally (and I’m happy to concede that things may be different between London and Cambridge) off peak tickets do not allow you to travel before 9.30am and also between 3.30pm and 6.00pm, which is rush hour travel, when demand is likely to be highest.
That said, as you plan to have dinner in Cambridge before returning, those restrictions shouldn’t be a problem. But check the time of the latest Cambridge to London train beforehand!
Ian
Here's the deal for London to Cambridge via train.
Weekdays after 9:30 (the 09:31 is valid) and all day weekends (watch out for scheduled engineering works on the weekends) London Kings Cross (KX) and London St Pancras (STP) have departures on Great Northern (KX) and Thameslink (STP) which take as little as 49 minutes (KX) and 1:05 (STP) interchangeably using an Off-Peak Return (what you might previously have heard called a Cheap Day Return - the person behind the window will know the term, the machine and online won't) for £27.60. Again, M-F after 9:30 northbound, any time Sat, Sun, valid on the return at any time after M-F 9:30, so no evening restrictions. The only restriction is the 9:30 one in the northbound direction. The 49 minute trains from KX are nonstop as far as Cambridge.
By interchangeability I mean you can go on Great Northern and return on Thameslink or vice versa, the same ticket valid on both regardless of train colour or KX/STP. These trains do not offer "Advance" tickets.
Same time restrictions at Liverpool Street for trains which take 1:11 but most are 1:24. Off Peak return is £19.50 First train valid is actually the 9:28 which takes 1:24. However non-changeable Advance tickets as late as the day before are available for £12 single during the peak, £10 in the near peak and £8 after 10:15 (10:28 the first), and for the return into the evening rush £8, £10 or a few £12 depending on capacity, availability and time (and of course what they think people will pay). So if you work it right and plan ahead you can go on the slow train for as little as 8+8=£16 for the day.
As always, read and check, check, check; and if using Advance tickets you MUST travel on the exact service you have bought.
Hope that helps.
Thank you all for your help!
Don’t mean to hijack this post but similar question. We will be staying in London around British Museum area. We plan to stay over in Cambridge for 2 nights. Then on our return go direct to Gatwick or LHR (depending on how this flight/mileage use works out) to get our flight to Jersey. All by train. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
