Southampton to Cambridge bus with National Express

Sun 01 Feb
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Southampton to Cambridge

Showing times and prices for 01 Feb

Cheapest price

£32

Average price

£43

Fastest journey

6 h 15 m

Average duration

6 h 58 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

178 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Southampton to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Southampton to Cambridge will cost around £43 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £32.

Fast coaches

Of the 2 buses that leave Southampton 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 178 km distance in an average of 6 h 58 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 15 m .

The slowest buses will take 7 h 40 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.

National Express
02:306h15
Southampton
08:45Cambridge
£321One-way
0 changes
National Express
01:057h40
Southampton
08:45Cambridge
£531One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Southampton to Cambridge

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £20. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 58m. 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 train costs an average of £20, and a coach costs an average of £38.

Distance: 178 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£50

Average Price

£49

Average Price

Cheapest

5h 1m

Average total duration

4h 31m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 28m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 58m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.2 - 0.4kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

South Western Railway

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Southampton to Cambridge bus times

The table below shows live departures for Southampton to Cambridge coaches for tomorrow, Sunday 1 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 18:16
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_express01:05 Southampton
7h40
08:45 Cambridge0 changesdirect
national_express02:30 Southampton
6h15
08:45 Cambridge0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Southampton 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.

Sun
01 Feb
Mon
02 Feb
Tue
03 Feb
Wed
04 Feb
Thu
05 Feb
Fri
06 Feb
Sat
07 Feb

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Southampton to Cambridge

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Southampton to Cambridge run on average 10 times per day, taking around 4h 31m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £38 but you can travel from only £20 by train.

The earliest coach runs at 00:35, the last at 22:00. The fastest coach covers the 178 km distance in 5h 10m.

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 £20
Distance
178 km
Average bus duration
4h 31m
Cheapest ticket price
£38
Buses per day
10
Fastest bus
5h 10m
First bus
00:35
Last bus
22:00
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 £20

Bus providers: National Express from Southampton to CambridgeYou can travel by bus between Southampton to Cambridge with National Express for as low as £20. 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
4h 35m
Cheapest Price
£32
National Express frequency
9 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.

FAQs: Southampton to Cambridge coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton 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.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Southampton to Cambridge can start from as little as £38 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Southampton to Cambridge is £50; 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 Southampton to Cambridge is 5h 10m to travel the 178 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 Southampton to Cambridge leaves at 0:35. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Southampton to Cambridge leaves at 22:00.
There are 10 coaches a day from Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton and Cambridge and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Cambridge from Southampton is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 10m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Southampton to Cambridge is September.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Cambridge including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Southampton to Cambridge:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Southampton to Cambridge for coach company National Express.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Southampton 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.
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 Southampton to Cambridge.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Southampton 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 Southampton to Cambridge:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Southampton to Cambridge.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Southampton to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Southampton to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Southampton to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Southampton and Cambridge

Southampton
Cambridge
The major coach station for departures in Southampton is Southampton, Coach Station. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Southampton, Coach Station for your trip from Southampton to Cambridge.
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 06:00-22:00
carConnection
Car connection
Harbour Parade
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Dining
Dining
  • Café Express (in the station)
  • Sandwich Bar (in the station).
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the station.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Elevators, ramps
WC
WC
  • Available near the entrance.
Public transport options for Southampton, Coach Station
  • Bus: U1, U2, U6, X4 Train: South Western Railway
Southampton, University
information

More options for your journey from Southampton to Cambridge

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Cambridge Southampton to Cambridge bus

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