- Recommended
Thomas Paine National Research Centre
Museum dedicated to Thomas Paine, with exhibits on his life, political ideas and the town he once lived in.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£11
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£11
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 5 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
1 h 5 m
Buses on 18 Sept
2
Distance
49 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cambridge to Thetford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cambridge to Thetford will cost around £11 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £11.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 2 buses from Cambridge to Thetford, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 49 km distance in an average of 1 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 5 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cambridge to Thetford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £7 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 6m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, while a train costs an average of £25.
Distance: 49 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£7 Average Price Cheapest | £25 Average Price | £10 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 40m Average total duration 1h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 6m Average total duration Fastest 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cambridge to Thetford:
A coach is £18 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cambridge to Thetford costing on average £25.
Other travel options to Thetford take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 10m.
Tickets start at around £7 compared to roughly £10 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £3. The journey takes 1h 10m versus 52m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Cambridge to Thetford coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX727 | 13:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1h10 | 14:45 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX727 | 15:40 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1h15 | 16:55 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX727 | 17:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1h10 | 18:45 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX727 | 20:10 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1h10 | 21:20 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 20:30 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 0h55 | 21:25 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 21:40 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 0h55 | 22:35 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX727 | 21:45 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1h05 | 22:50 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
NX727 | 23:45 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1h00 | 0:45 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus | 23:45 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 0h55 | 0:40 Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Cambridge to Thetford run on average 9 times per day, taking around 1h 10m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
There are 8 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:25, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 49 km distance in 55m.
Distance 49 km |
Average bus duration 1h 10m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 55m |
First bus 0:25 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Thetford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Thetford trip today.
Museum dedicated to Thomas Paine, with exhibits on his life, political ideas and the town he once lived in.
Town museum in a former court building, covering local archaeology, wildlife, industry and daily life across centuries.
Volunteer-run military museum exploring the regiment’s history through uniforms, medals and stories linked to Norfolk service.
Broad heathland and forest landscape near Thetford, popular for walking, cycling and experiencing the distinctive Breckland scenery.
Riverside green space ideal for gentle walks, wildlife spotting and views of nearby historic buildings in the heart of town.
Central public garden with lawns, seating and a war memorial, offering a peaceful stop close to shops and historic streets.
A Norfolk staple of cured ham, traditionally sliced thick and served cold. It reflects the county’s long pig-rearing and curing heritage.
Free-range turkey reared in Norfolk, commonly roasted for Sunday lunch or festive meals. The county is strongly associated with British turkey farming.
A rustic game dish using rabbit, often slow-cooked in pie or stew. It reflects Breckland’s historic heathland hunting and country cooking traditions.
Popular Indian restaurant and takeaway known for reliable curries and a casual atmosphere, well established with local diners in Thetford.
Casual steakhouse and grill serving burgers, steaks and hearty mains. A familiar choice for relaxed group meals in the town centre.
Traditional riverside pub in Thetford serving British classics, roasts and drinks in a relaxed historic setting near the Little Ouse.
Thetford is generally cheaper than larger UK tourist cities, with lower dining and lodging costs and limited public transport spending for most visitors.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafes do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cambridge to Thetford by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Thetford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cambridge to Thetford buses use the Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) to Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) station pair. Use this guide to compare Cambridge and Thetford bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange). ATMs are available at Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange).
Ticket office support is available at Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange).
Available at Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Thetford, London Road (Bus Interchange): Ramps available for buses.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need