The distance between Southampton and Cambridge is around 208km (129 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 2h 15m.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Southampton 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 Cambridge → Southampton if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to London Waterloo and then to Cambridge.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Heathrow Airport London T23 and then to Cambridge Parkside.
There are several options for getting from Southampton to Cambridge by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £14 ($17) and will take around 4h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 2h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £24 ($28).
The distance between Southampton and Cambridge is around 208km (129 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 179km (111 miles)
It takes around 2h 45m to get from Southampton and Cambridge by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 15m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Southampton to Cambridge is to drive which takes around 2h 15m and will set you back approx £24 ($28).
The cheapest way to travel between Southampton and Cambridge, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £14 ($17) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Southampton and Cambridge. It typically takes around 2h 45m and departs hourly.
There are no direct train services that runs from Southampton to Cambridge. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in London Waterloo and London Bridge station. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 2h 45m.
South Western Railway, Thameslink, Southern Service and Great Northern run train services between Southampton and Cambridge. Trains depart hourly and will take around 2h 45m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Southampton and Cambridge. It typically takes around 4h 25m and departs 5 times a day.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Southampton to Cambridge. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heathrow Airport London T23. These services run 5 times a day and will take a minimum of 4h 25m.
National Express run regular bus services between Southampton and Cambridge. Buses run 5 times a day and take around 4h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Southampton to Cambridge. We recommend that you take the train to London Waterloo and then to Cambridge. instead which will take 2h 45m.
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.
Yes it is possible to drive from Southampton and Cambridge. The distance is around 208km (129 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 15m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Southampton to Cambridge is to take the train which takes, on average, 2h 45m and will usually cost around £74 ($88).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train + 1 similar | 2h 45m | £74($88) | hourly | 226km (140 miles) |
Train via London Victoria | 4h 20m | £66($78) | twice daily | 284km (177 miles) |
Bus | 4h 25m | £14($17) | 5 times a day | 264km (164 miles) |
Drive | 2h 15m | £24($28) | on demand | 208km (129 miles) |
South Western Railway
Thameslink
Greater Anglia
Southern Service
Great Northern
The following major airports near Cambridge offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.