How to plan a trip to Cambridge?

In this post we are here to help you plan your trip to Cambridge through numerous travel tips that will make your stay more enjoyable. Based on our experience, we can tell you that the key to good organisation lies in anticipation. With time, you can compare prices, read reviews from other travellers and define a clear itinerary before booking hotels. However, there are also many other aspects to consider before embarking on your trip.

Following this, you can read about the best time to get to Cambridge, transport options for getting around the city, local dishes and the best places to stay. Our aim is to help you through the first steps of organising your trip by giving you lots of information that will be of great help before and during your stay.

1. Prepare the documentation for travelling to Cambridge

To travel to the UK you will need different documentation depending on your country of origin. Citizens of the European Union, the Commonwealth, and others such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, and Uruguay, will be able to enter with their passport. Just remember that it cannot be out of date, or they will not let you on the plane.

All other countries must apply for a passport through the embassy, consulate or the official online form and present the following documents:

• Completed application form: fill in your personal and travel details.
• Valid passport: make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
• Two recent colour photographs: these must meet specific size and background requirements.
• Proof of financial solvency: such as bank statements, to show that you can support yourself during your visit.
• Proof of accommodation: hotel confirmation or a letter of invitation from a resident. A letter of invitation is also valid if you are staying with a friend or relative.
• Travel itinerary: with detailed plans for your stay.
• Travel insurance: to cover possible medical expenses.
• Certified translations: of any document that is not in English or Welsh.

It is recommended that you apply at least 3 months in advance and has a processing fee of £115. On some occasions, when your stay will be longer than 6 months, it will also be necessary to have an interview at the embassy to collect your biometric details.

If you are travelling from the EU, you will be able to drive with your normal licence, but if you are travelling from another country, you may need to apply for an international driving licence.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Cambridge

Cambridge is a destination worth visiting regardless of the time of year as each season has its own charm. During school term time the streets are bustling with life and students bustling about. There are sports competitions, parties and generally a very lively atmosphere. In summer, on the other hand, all the students are on holiday, and you can visit the city practically empty, except for the tourists of course.

The high season in Cambridge is concentrated in July and August. During these months it is more difficult to find accommodation and prices are more expensive. However, you will find more tourist attractions open. If you’re travelling during this time and want to stay in the city, we recommend you book early.

Our favourite time of year is spring, when the temperature is pleasant and students are out celebrating the good weather. During these months prices are more moderate and there are not yet so many tourists. The same is true for autumn.

Winter in Cambridge also offers a unique atmosphere. There are fewer tourists and the city is decorated with lights and Christmas markets, offering a more intimate experience. Although the days are shorter and colder, the more affordable prices and fewer visitors compensate, making this a special time to experience the city’s academic and festive spirit.

3. Find out how to get to Cambridge

It’s time to buy your tickets to Cambridge! In this case, the city doesn’t have its own airport, but the good news is that it’s very close to London, from where you have several options available for travel:

• Flight: the nearest airport is London Stansted Airport, from where you can take a direct train or bus to Cambridge. The good thing about flying to London is that prices are cheaper and flights are more frequent.
• Car: The city is well connected by roads, with the A14 and M11 being the main access routes. However, parking can be limited and expensive in the centre. Our recommendation is to park in the surrounding area.
• Train: Greater Anglia and CrossCountry offer frequent services from London (King’s Cross and Liverpool Street), Norwich, Birmingham, and other cities. Cambridge station is within easy reach of the centre. The journey time is just over 1 hour.
• Bus: National Express and Stagecoach operate from London, Oxford, and other UK cities to the centre of Cambridge. By road it takes 1h 40 minutes.

To get around Cambridge you can easily walk as the city is not very big. Another option is to rent bicycles. And if you have longer distances to cover, you can always opt for the bus. A single ticket costs around £2.50, but daily and weekly passes are available for unlimited travel and are cheaper for visitors.

4. Find accommodation that meets your expectations to enjoy Cambridge

Cambridge isn’t a particularly large city, so if you’re looking for good value accommodation, we recommend looking well in advance. It’s also true that the city can be seen in a day, and there are other attractions such as Oxford in the surrounding area, which means you can stay somewhere in between and get around during the day. There are a variety of charming inns in the area where you can spend the night.

However, if you decide to stay the night in Cambridge, here’s a list of the best places to stay:

• City Centre: this is the historic heart of Cambridge, ideal for first-time visitors. Accommodation ranges from moderately expensive to luxurious. Close to the university and main attractions.
• Mill Road: a lively, multicultural area with independent shops and restaurants. Moderately priced, popular with students and young visitors.
• Newnham: a quiet, residential area, perfect for those seeking peace and quiet close to the centre. Medium to expensive accommodation, with lovely B&B options.
• Chesterton: offers a more authentic local atmosphere with good access to the centre. Prices vary from affordable to mid-range.
• Trumpington: located in the south, well connected to the centre by public transport. It offers a variety of accommodation with more affordable options and modern developments.

We remind you that with the Passporter App you can read where other travellers have stayed, and compare and book directly through Booking. It is the best option to have all your bookings sorted and always at hand.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Cambridge

As we have already mentioned, Cambridge is relatively quick to see. We took a full day and were able to see it all at our leisure. However, if you want to explore the city in its entirety and appreciate its university atmosphere and enjoy its idyllic green spaces, we recommend spending 2 to 3 days. In this post we tell you all about what to see and do in the city: Things to do in Cambridge.

Must-sees in Cambridge

Here’s a little preview of the must-sees in Cambridge:

• Cambridge University: a collection of beautiful buildings with a unique character. You can visit the gardens and some chapels for free, although some colleges charge admission (approx. £2-£10).
• King’s College and Chapel: a student residence famous for its impressive Gothic chapel, a Cambridge icon. Admission approx. £9.
• Fitzwilliam Museum: houses a vast collection of art and antiquities. Admission is free.
• Puente de los Suspiros: this is an iconic covered bridge at St John’s College. It is a great place to take pictures.
• University Botanic Gardens: an oasis of plants and flowers from around the world. Admission £6.
• Mathematical Bridge: famous wooden bridge at Queens’ College.
• Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: exhibits global historical artefacts. Free admission.
• Great St Mary’s Church: offers panoramic views of the city from its tower. Climb the tower £4.
• Cambridge Museum: explores the history of the city and the university. Free admission.
• River Cam punt trip: a traditional way to see the colleges from the river. Rides from £15-£30 per person.

6. Where and what to eat in Cambridge?

Cambridge’s cuisine reflects the English culinary tradition with an international twist that has emerged as a result of the multicultural academic and tourist community. The region’s traditional dishes feature local ingredients such as river fish, game meats, fresh vegetables and seasonal fruit.

We visited the city in winter and were delighted to see university students sheltering from the cold and rain in cosy cafés to study. You’ll find plenty of touristy restaurants in the city, but if you look hard enough, you’ll also find cosy pubs and traditional restaurants where you can sample authentic English cuisine.

Here are some of the must-try places you can’t miss during your visit:

• Sunday Roast: traditional Sunday lunch with roast beef, vegetables, potatoes and gravy.
• Fish and Chips: classic British fish and chips in batter.
• Pies: pies stuffed with meat, fish or vegetables, a staple of local cuisine.
• Full English Breakfast: full breakfast including eggs, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, beans and bread.
• Scones with Clotted Cream and Marmalade: taken at teatime, these are small cakes filled with buttercream and marmalade.

It’s very common to find people picnicking on the banks of the river in good weather, especially during rowing competitions. You’ll often see people drinking Pimm’s, a traditional alcoholic drink.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Cambridge

Travelling to Cambridge with friends can be a memorable experience. However, we also know that it can often be a challenge to mobilise a large group or agree on what to do and where to go.

With the Passporter App, organising such trips is easier as you can plan your travel itinerary from start to finish, taking into account everyone’s opinion. Add your friends, get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and create your route together. Later you can share your experience through the pictures you take during the trip. We have also prepared this post where we leave you some useful tips for travelling with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Cambridge

• The currency in the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (£).
• It is advisable to carry some cash, although most shops accept card payments.
• The UK uses plug type G, with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. Be sure to bring an adapter if your devices have different specifications.
• If you are travelling from the European Union, you will need a passport to enter the country; a national ID card is no longer sufficient.
• The official language is English
• Water in the UK is safe to drink, so you can refill your water bottle to reduce plastic use.
• Cambridge is a safe city, but as with any tourist destination, it’s wise to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places.
• Book flights and accommodation in advance to get better prices, especially during peak tourist season.
• Find out about events or festivals during your visit.
• Remember that in the UK you drive on the left, unlike in the rest of Europe.
• Be prepared for the UK’s changeable weather by always carrying an umbrella or mackintosh, even on sunny days.
• Using apps such as Passporter to plan your trip to the UK is free and helps you draw inspiration from other travellers, as well as organising your itinerary efficiently.
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Cambridge?

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Cambridge.

If you have doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about travelling to Cambridge