- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Major university museum with classical sculptures, paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. Strong choice for a broad first visit.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Ely to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Ely to Cambridge will cost around £6 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £4.
On Fri 30 Oct, we found 21 trains from Ely to Cambridge, including 21 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 24 km distance in an average of 12 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 12 m .
The slowest trains will take 12 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.
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Trains from Ely to Cambridge run on average 11 times per day, taking around 14m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £3 if you book in advance.
There are 11 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:05, the last at 23:53. The fastest train covers the 24 km distance in 12m.
Distance 24 km |
Average train duration 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £3 |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 11 |
Fastest train 12m |
First train 0:05 |
Last train 23:53 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Ely to Cambridge.
The table below shows live departures for Ely to Cambridge trains for tomorrow, Friday 30 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G27004 | 8:17 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 8:31 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
P01151 | 8:27 Ely station (ELY) | 0h16 | 8:43 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
C93347 | 8:47 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 9:01 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
G00803 | 8:54 Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 9:09 Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 changesdirect | |
P01156 | 9:03 Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 9:15 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
X57429 | 9:17 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 9:31 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
P01158 | 9:27 Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 9:39 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
C93357 | 9:46 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 10:00 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
G00805 | 9:54 Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 10:09 Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 changesdirect | |
C93362 | 10:17 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 10:31 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
P66821 | 10:27 Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 10:39 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
G00841 | 10:48 Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 11:03 Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 changesdirect | |
C93367 | 10:51 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 11:05 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
C93372 | 11:17 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 11:31 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
P66833 | 11:27 Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 11:39 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
G00806 | 11:47 Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 12:02 Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 changesdirect | |
C93377 | 11:51 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 12:05 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
G77000 | 12:17 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 12:31 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
P66838 | 12:27 Ely station (ELY) | 0h12 | 12:39 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
G00808 | 12:48 Ely station (ELY) | 0h15 | 13:03 Cambridge station (CBG) | 0 changesdirect | |
G77005 | 12:51 Ely station (ELY) | 0h14 | 13:05 Cambridge North (CMB) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Cambridge — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cambridge trip today.
Major university museum with classical sculptures, paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. Strong choice for a broad first visit.
Contemporary art gallery in a former chapel, showing changing exhibitions by modern and international artists near the city centre.
Museum of Earth sciences with dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and minerals. Compact, family-friendly, and useful for a rainy day.
Riverside green linking college backs and open meadows. Ideal for walking, punting views, and classic Cambridge photographs.
Lively square and shopping area with the market, historic streets, and buskers. A practical starting point for exploring the old centre.
Historic lane of colleges, chapels, and gateways. A rewarding walk for architecture, student atmosphere, and easy access to central sights.
A Cambridge creation: a rich dessert of vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, whipped cream and meringue, long associated with Cambridge college dining.
A traditional Cambridgeshire farm dish of braised beef or mutton with onions and root vegetables, reflecting the county’s rural cooking heritage.
An old East Anglian fruit preserve made from windfall apples slowly cooked to a dark, tangy spread, once common in Cambridgeshire households.
Refined British tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting just outside the city centre.
Long-running riverside restaurant known for modern European cooking and views over the Cam in a smart but relaxed room.
Popular city-centre pub serving cask ales and hearty British food in a lively, historic atmosphere.
Cambridge is pricier than many UK cities. Hotels and dining are above average, but walking and buses help keep transport costs manageable.
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.
Official public transport app
Cambridge station -> Cambridge City Centre
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Cambridge.
There are three networks that operate trains from Ely to Cambridge: Abellio Greater Anglia, Great Northern and CrossCountry. Trains depart from Ely in the morning just before 6:00 a.m. with between 5 and 7 trains scheduled to run each hour throughout the day. The final train leaves shortly after 11:30 p.m. Journey time takes between 15 and 25 minutes to cover the 17 mile distance and requires no changes.
Departure Station: Ely Station, Station Road in Cambridgeshire is on the Fen and Breckland Lines. Walking into the town centre takes about 10 minutes. Buses and taxis are available from the station, as well as a cycle hire service.
Arrival Station: Cambridge Railway Station is situated on Station Road, just off Hills Road and is approximately 1 mile south-east of Cambridge city centre. It takes about a 30-minute walk to reach the main shops and colleges. There are Stagecoach buses that leave from the station and travel into the city, as well as a taxi from outside the entrance.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ely to Cambridge by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cambridge, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Ely to Cambridge trains use the Ely to Cambridge station pair, with some services arriving at Cambridge North. Use this guide to compare Ely and Cambridge train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Ely has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Ely.
Wi-Fi is available at Ely.
Ticket office support is available at Ely. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Ely: Parking, WC.
Available at Ely: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Ely: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Cambridge is 1 km from Cambridge city centre. Public transport options include:
Cambridge has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Cambridge.
Wi-Fi is available at Cambridge. ATMs are available at Cambridge.
Ticket office support is available at Cambridge.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cambridge: Parking, WC.
Available at Cambridge: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cambridge: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Cambridge North is 3 km from Cambridge city centre. Public transport options include:
Cambridge North has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Cambridge North.
Wi-Fi is available at Cambridge North.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from information point, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 2878.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cambridge North: Parking, WC.
Available at Cambridge North: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cambridge North: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible taxis: Details of the nearest taxi will be supplied by station staff, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Check train stations information for Ely and Cambridge, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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