- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Major university museum with classical sculptures, paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. Strong choice for a broad first visit.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Portsmouth to Cambridge
Showing times and prices for 24 Aug
Cheapest price
£34
Average price
£36
Fastest journey
6 h 15 m
Average duration
6 h 23 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
177 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Portsmouth to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Portsmouth to Cambridge will cost around £36 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £34.
Fast coaches
Of the 2 buses that leave Portsmouth for Cambridge every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 177 km distance in an average of 6 h 23 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 15 m .
The slowest buses will take 6 h 31 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.
9:506h15Portsmouth16:05Cambridge£341One-way0 changes- 10:346h31Portsmouth17:05Cambridge£391One-way0 changes
- 9:506h15Portsmouth16:05Cambridge£341One-way0 changes
- 10:346h31Portsmouth17:05Cambridge£391One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Portsmouth to Cambridge
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Portsmouth to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £24. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 21m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, and a train costs an average of £21.
Distance: 177 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£27 Average Price Cheapest | £36 Average Price |
5h 48m Average total duration 5h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 51m Average total duration Fastest 3h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Portsmouth to Cambridge bus times
The table below shows live departures for Portsmouth to Cambridge coaches for tomorrow, Monday 24 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:50 Portsmouth | 6h15 | 16:05 Cambridge | 0 changesdirect | |
| 10:34 Portsmouth | 6h31 | 17:05 Cambridge | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Portsmouth to Cambridge by coach or train
Compare coach and train 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.
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Why should you book Portsmouth to Cambridge coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from Portsmouth to Cambridge.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Portsmouth to Cambridge.
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Portsmouth to Cambridge.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Portsmouth to Cambridge.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Portsmouth to Cambridge
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Portsmouth to Cambridge run on average 16 times per day, taking around 5h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £24 but you can travel from only £11 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 03:05, the last at 21:42. The fastest coach covers the 177 km distance in 6h 15m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £11
Distance 177 km |
Average bus duration 5h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price £24 |
Buses per day 16 |
Fastest bus 6h 15m |
First bus 3:05 |
Last bus 21:42 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 6 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £11
Bus providers: National Express from Portsmouth to CambridgeYou can travel by bus between Portsmouth to Cambridge with National Express for as low as £11. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
National Express
About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
6h 15m
Cheapest Price
£24
National Express frequency
16 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.
Complete guide to Cambridge
Things to do in Cambridge
Discover the best of Cambridge — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cambridge trip today.
- Recommended
Kettle's Yard
Contemporary art gallery in a former chapel, showing changing exhibitions by modern and international artists near the city centre.
- Recommended
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Museum of Earth sciences with dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and minerals. Compact, family-friendly, and useful for a rainy day.
- Must visit
The Backs
Riverside green linking college backs and open meadows. Ideal for walking, punting views, and classic Cambridge photographs.
- Must visit
Market Square
Lively square and shopping area with the market, historic streets, and buskers. A practical starting point for exploring the old centre.
- Recommended
Trinity Lane
Historic lane of colleges, chapels, and gateways. A rewarding walk for architecture, student atmosphere, and easy access to central sights.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Cambridge burnt cream
A Cambridge creation: a rich dessert of vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, whipped cream and meringue, long associated with Cambridge college dining.
- Gluten-free
Cambridgeshire fidget pie
A traditional Cambridgeshire farm dish of braised beef or mutton with onions and root vegetables, reflecting the county’s rural cooking heritage.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Pippin paste
An old East Anglian fruit preserve made from windfall apples slowly cooked to a dark, tangy spread, once common in Cambridgeshire households.
Midsummer House
Refined British tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting just outside the city centre.
The Riverbar Steakhouse and Grill
Long-running riverside restaurant known for modern European cooking and views over the Cam in a smart but relaxed room.
The Eagle
Popular city-centre pub serving cask ales and hearty British food in a lively, historic atmosphere.
Pound sterling (£)
Cambridge is pricier than many UK cities. Hotels and dining are above average, but walking and buses help keep transport costs manageable.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £20-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £60+ per person for fine dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4.50 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Cafés usually do not expect tips.
Stagecoach Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £3
- Day pass
- /public_transport/single_ticket_price may be null if no reliable day pass exists. - Official public transport app for the city. - Official public transport website. - public_transport.day_pass_price may be null if no reliable day pass exists. - public_transport.website must be an official operator or transport authority URL, or null if no official website exists. - 1-2 essential public transport tips, each max 200 characters. - If possible, mention whether card/contactless payment works on trams, buses, or metro. - Each tip must be no longer than 2 sentences. - Use local currency format with currency symbol instead of currency code. if you mention price. For app_store_url and play_store_url, always use search URLs based on the app name, never direct app links: - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/search?term=<app_name>&entity=software - Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=<app_name>&c=apps Replace spaces in app names with +. Also include arrival information from Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) to the city center: - station is the arrival station name. - destination is a central destination in the city, such as the main station, central bus station, or a well-known central square. - directions_url format: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin={urlencoded_station}&destination={urlencoded_destination}. Replace spaces with + and include the city in origin and destination names. - distance_to_city_center: include distance with units, for example "3 km". - travel_time_to_city_center: include time with units, for example "20 min". - best_option must include type, price, duration, and website. - best_option may be public transport, taxi, or rideshare. - best_option.type should be specific where possible, for example "S-Bahn S9" or "Taxi". - best_option.price must use local currency and use local currency format. If best_option uses metro, train, or RER, use the standard full-price metro/train/RER ticket. - best_option.duration must include units, for example "30 min". - best_option.website should be a ticketing or operator URL, or null if none is available. Use British English in the output.Never translate or alter placeholders inside {...}. Keep punctuation around placeholders natural for the target language. For attraction, landmark, and place names, use the name most commonly used in the target language: - If the place has a widely established target-language name (an exonym), use it. For example, in Spanish "Eiffel Tower" becomes "Torre Eiffel". Never leave an English name when the target language has a common name for the place. - Otherwise keep the authentic local or official name unchanged. Do not word-for-word translate proper names that have no established target-language form, for example keep "Musée d'Orsay" as is. Do not translate restaurant or other venue names, station names, URLs, app names, or currency codes.
To the city centre
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) -> Cambridge City Centre
- Distance
- 0.4 km
- Travel time
- 5 min
- Adult local bus single fares in Cambridge are capped at £3; under-25s with a Tiger pass pay £1.
- Cambridge city buses are mainly Stagecoach and Whippet. Check operator acceptance before buying a multi-operator ticket.
FAQs: Portsmouth to Cambridge coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portsmouth to Cambridge 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 Cambridge, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Portsmouth to Cambridge can start from as little as £24 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Portsmouth to Cambridge is £27; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge is 6h 15m to travel the 177 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge leaves at 3:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge leaves at 21:42.
There are 16 coaches a day from Portsmouth to Cambridge which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Cambridge. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Portsmouth and Cambridge and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Cambridge from Portsmouth is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 6h 15m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge is August.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Portsmouth and Cambridge including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Portsmouth to Cambridge depends on the coach companies:
- National Express
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Portsmouth to Cambridge:
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Portsmouth to Cambridge:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Portsmouth to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Portsmouth and Cambridge
Most Portsmouth to Cambridge buses use the Portsmouth, University to Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) station pair. Use this guide to compare Portsmouth and Cambridge bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Portsmouth
Arrival bus stations in Cambridge
Portsmouth, University
Portsmouth, The Hard InterchangeThe Hard Interchange, Portsmouth PO1 3DT, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange from Portsmouth city centre
Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre. Public transport options include:
TrainLondon Victoria - Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton - Portsmouth Harbour, Littlehampton - Portsmouth Harbour, Three Bridges - Portsmouth Harbour, Barnham - Portsmouth Harbour, Gatwick Airport - Portsmouth Harbour, Havant - Portsmouth Harbour, Bognor Regis - Portsmouth Harbour · 3m · £0.90 · every ~4 min
Bus1, 2, 8, 3, 7, X4, H1, X5, Pr1 · 6m · £2 · every ~214 min
Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange bus station facilities and services
Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Café at The Hard (in the station), Fast Food Outlet (in the station).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth, The Hard Interchange: Elevators, ramps.
Portsmouth, International PortWharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8RU, United Kingdom
City-centre transport
Getting to Portsmouth, International Port from Portsmouth city centre
Portsmouth, International Port is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre. Public transport options include:
BusX4, X5, Pr1 · 3m · every ~55 min
8, 3, 7, X4, X5 · 6m · £2 · every ~113 min
725 · 15m · £2
Portsmouth, International Port bus station facilities and services
Portsmouth, International Port has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Café in the terminal (in the station), Fast-food outlet (in the station).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance of the terminal.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth, International Port.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Portsmouth, International Port: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth, International Port: Elevators, ramps.
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)
City-centre transport
Getting to Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) from Cambridge city centre
BusTour · 31m · £2 · every ~6 min
Most popular bus connections from Portsmouth
More options for your journey from Portsmouth to Cambridge
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Cambridge and Portsmouth
Most popular bus connections
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