- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Major university museum with classical sculptures, paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. Strong choice for a broad first visit.
Cheapest price on 11 Sept
£55
Average ticket price on 11 Sept
£66
Fastest journey on 11 Sept
4 h
Average journey duration on 11 Sept
4 h 38 m
Trains on 11 Sept
4
Distance
301 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Exeter to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Exeter to Cambridge will cost around £66 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £55.
On Fri 11 Sept, we found 4 trains from Exeter to Cambridge, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 301 km distance in an average of 4 h 38 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 14 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 Exeter to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £25 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 56m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £25, while a flight costs an average of £294.
Distance: 301 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£57 Average Price | £25 Average Price Cheapest | £294 Average Price | £60 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 56m Average total duration Fastest 4h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 8m Average total duration 7h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 1m Average total duration 8h 1m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Exeter to Cambridge:
A coach is £32 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Exeter to Cambridge costing on average £57.
A coach is £269 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Exeter to Cambridge costing on average £294.
Other travel options to Cambridge take longer:
Coach takes on average 7h 38m.
Flight takes on average 8h 1m.
The journey is about 10m faster (4h 26m by train vs 4h 36m by car) and roughly £4 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£57 vs £60). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Exeter to Cambridge trains for today, Thursday 10 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Y41864+ L79369+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Kings Cross+ G27008 | 8:09 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 5h30 | 13:39 Cambridge South | 3 changes | |
L79369+ Tube from London Victoria to Finsbury Park+ W45467+ G27407 | 8:09 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 5h26 | 13:35 Cambridge South | 4 changes | |
L79369+ Tube from London Waterloo to London Kings Cross+ G27008 | 8:24 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 5h15 | 13:39 Cambridge South | 2 changes | |
L79369+ Tube from London Victoria to Finsbury Park+ W45467+ G27407 | 8:24 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 5h11 | 13:35 Cambridge South | 3 changes | |
Y41867 · G14921+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G76998 | 8:35 Exeter St Thomas (EXT) | 4h34 | 13:09 Cambridge South | 3 changes | |
G14921+ Tube from London Paddington to London Kings Cross+ G76998 | 9:16 Exeter St Davids (EXD) | 3h53 | 13:09 Cambridge South | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight 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.
Trains from Exeter to Cambridge run on average 17 times per day, taking around 4h 26m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £42 but you can travel from only £20 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:09. The fastest train covers the 301 km distance in 3h 54m.
Distance 301 km |
Average train duration 4h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price £42 |
Trains per day 17 |
Fastest train 3h 54m |
First train 0:02 |
Last train 23:09 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 35 days |
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
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Exeter 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 Exeter to Cambridge trains use the Exeter St Davids to Cambridge station pair, with some services arriving at Cambridge South. Use this guide to compare Exeter and Cambridge train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Exeter St Davids is 1 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:
Exeter St Davids has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Exeter St Davids.
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter St Davids. ATMs are available at Exeter St Davids.
Ticket office support is available at Exeter St Davids.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Exeter St Davids: Parking, WC.
Available at Exeter St Davids: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter St Davids: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - All platforms can be accessed via Lifts from the sole main station entrance. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station, Accessible public telephones: Public telephones are not accessible, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Exeter St Thomas is 1 km from Exeter city centre. Public transport options include:
Exeter St Thomas has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Exeter St Thomas.
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter St Thomas.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Exeter St Thomas: Parking.
Available at Exeter St Thomas: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter St Thomas: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: No, Step free access note: Step free Category C Station - This station does not have step free access to any platform. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are not available, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Exeter Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Exeter Central.
Wi-Fi is available at Exeter Central.
Ticket office support is available at Exeter Central.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Exeter Central: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Exeter Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Exeter Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: Step free Category A station - Both platforms can be accessed via lifts from the main station entrance, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available, 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.
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