How to travel from Cambridge to Chester, United Kingdom

The distance between Cambridge and Chester is around 278km (173 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3hrs.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Cambridge to Chester by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out ChesterCambridge if you're planning a return trip.

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train
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Train

Take the train to London St Pancras International LL and then to Chester.

  • Duration3h 15m
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    £110($130)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Birmingham Brunel Street and then to Chester Bus Interchange.

  • Duration4h 15m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    £25($30)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Chester.

  • Duration3hrs
  • Distance278km (173 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cambridge and Chester

There are several options for getting from Cambridge to Chester by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £25 ($30) and will take around 4h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £32 ($38).

The distance between Cambridge and Chester is around 278km (173 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 231km (143 miles)

It takes around 3h 15m to get from Cambridge and Chester by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3hrs to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cambridge to Chester is to drive which takes around 3hrs and will set you back approx £32 ($38).

The cheapest way to travel between Cambridge and Chester, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £25 ($30) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cambridge and Chester. It typically takes around 3h 15m and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cambridge to Chester. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London St Pancras International LL and London Euston. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 3h 15m.

Thameslink, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and London Midland run train services between Cambridge and Chester. Trains depart every 4 hours and will take around 3h 15m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cambridge and Chester. It typically takes around 4h 15m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cambridge to Chester. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Birmingham Brunel Street and Birmingham New Street Station. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 4h 15m.

Megabus UK and FlixBus run regular bus services between Cambridge and Chester. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 4h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cambridge to Chester. We recommend that you take the train to London St Pancras International LL and then to Chester. instead which will take 3h 15m.

The closest major airport to Chester is Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) (LPL) which is approximately 16km (10 miles) from Chester. Manchester Airport (MAN) (MAN) and Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) (LBA) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Cambridge and Chester. The distance is around 278km (173 miles) by road and it will take around 3hrs in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cambridge to Chester is to take the train which takes, on average, 3h 15m and will usually cost around £110 ($130).

How do I get from Cambridge to Chester

Compare travel optionsbetween Cambridge and Chester

Transport options from Cambridge to Chester
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
3h 15m
£110($130)
every 4 hours380km (236 miles)
Train via Nuneaton3h 35m
£95($115)
hourly317km (197 miles)
Bus
4h 15m
£25($30)
5 times a week292km (182 miles)
Drive
3hrs
£32($38)
on demand278km (173 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cambridge and Chester

Airports near Chester

The following major airports near Chester offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

LPL
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
International Airport
Distance
16km (10 miles) from Chester
MAN
Manchester Airport (MAN)
International Airport
Distance
45km (28 miles) from Chester
LBA
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)
International Airport
Distance
111km (69 miles) from Chester