How to travel from Portsmouth to Cambridge, United Kingdom

The distance between Portsmouth and Cambridge is around 213km (132 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 20m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Portsmouth to Cambridge 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 CambridgePortsmouth if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to London Waterloo and then to Cambridge.

  • Duration2h 30m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    £65($77)
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 London Victoria Coach Station and then to Cambridge Parkside.

  • Duration3h 50m
  • Departs4 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £14($17)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Cambridge.

  • Duration2h 20m
  • Distance213km (132 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Portsmouth and Cambridge

There are several options for getting from Portsmouth to Cambridge by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £14 ($17) and will take around 3h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £37 ($44).

The distance between Portsmouth and Cambridge is around 213km (132 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 176km (110 miles)

It takes around 2h 30m to get from Portsmouth and Cambridge by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 20m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Portsmouth to Cambridge is to drive which takes around 2h 20m and will set you back approx £37 ($44).

The cheapest way to travel between Portsmouth and Cambridge, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £14 ($17) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Portsmouth and Cambridge. It typically takes around 2h 30m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Portsmouth to Cambridge. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Waterloo, Euston station and King's Cross St. Pancras station. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 2h 30m.

South Western Railway, Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern Service run train services between Portsmouth and Cambridge. Trains depart hourly and will take around 2h 30m, 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 Portsmouth and Cambridge. It typically takes around 3h 50m and departs 4 times a day.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Portsmouth to Cambridge. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in London Victoria Coach Station. These services run 4 times a day and will take a minimum of 3h 50m.

National Express, Autokar Polska and FlixBus run regular bus services between Portsmouth and Cambridge. Buses run 4 times a day and take around 3h 50m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Portsmouth to Cambridge. We recommend that you take the train to London Waterloo and then to Cambridge. instead which will take 2h 30m.

The closest major airport to Cambridge is Cambridge Airport (CBG) (CBG) which is approximately 4km (2 miles) from Cambridge. London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) and London Luton Airport (LTN) (LTN) 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 Portsmouth and Cambridge. The distance is around 213km (132 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 20m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Portsmouth to Cambridge is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 30m and will usually cost around £65 ($77).

How do I get from Portsmouth to Cambridge

Compare travel optionsbetween Portsmouth and Cambridge

Transport options from Portsmouth to Cambridge
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
2h 30m
£65($77)
hourly215km (133 miles)
Train via London Victoria3h 30m
£55($65)
hourly238km (148 miles)
Bus
3h 50m
£14($17)
4 times a day217km (135 miles)
Drive
2h 20m
£37($44)
on demand213km (132 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Portsmouth and Cambridge

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Cambridge

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

CBG
Cambridge Airport (CBG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (2 miles) from Cambridge
STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
36km (23 miles) from Cambridge
LTN
London Luton Airport (LTN)
International Airport
Distance
50km (31 miles) from Cambridge