
Day trip from Ely to Cambridge by train
Why visit Cambridge for the day?
Cambridge is a historic university city on the River Cam, known for its colleges and punting. Its compact centre, museums and green spaces give it an academic yet lively feel.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Peterborough to Ely among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £14 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 5m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £14, while a train costs an average of £14.
Distance: 39 km
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
£14 Average Price Cheapest | £9 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 5m Average total duration Fastest 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
You'll arrive about 19m sooner (35m by train vs 54m by car). Tickets start at around £14 compared to roughly £9 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
How to get to Ely from Peterborough by train, bus, flight or ferry.
The best way to travel from Peterborough to Ely is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
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G00803Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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The most popular day trips by train from Ely are Cambridge, London, Peterborough, Bury Saint Edmunds and Norwich. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Ely on Omio.

Cambridge is a historic university city on the River Cam, known for its colleges and punting. Its compact centre, museums and green spaces give it an academic yet lively feel.

London blends royal history with modern city life, known for its museums, theatre and global food scene. Along the Thames, grand landmarks sit beside diverse neighbourhoods shaped by finance, fashion and contemporary culture.

Peterborough is known for its magnificent Norman cathedral, Roman heritage and broad modern city centre. It balances historic character with a practical, multicultural feel, while Ferry Meadows and the nearby Fens bring welcome open space.

Bury Saint Edmunds is a historic Suffolk market town known for its abbey ruins, cathedral and Georgian centre. It has a compact feel, with Abbey Gardens, independent shops and a long brewing heritage giving it character.

Norwich is known for its Norman cathedral, medieval lanes and strong independent character. Its historic market, literary links and mix of old churches and creative spaces give it a lively but relaxed feel.
Buses and trains make the 30 mile journey between the Cambridgeshire cities of Peterborough and Ely, although the rail route is quicker and more direct. Peterborough is a bustling modern city with an attractive old centre clustered around the 12th-century cathedral, the resting place of Catherine of Aragon. Ely is a well-preserved and characterful city on the Fens, with an ornate Norman cathedral and a popular stained-glass museum.
Train: East Midland Trains, Abellio Greater Anglia and CrossCountry Trains all provide direct rail services from Peterborough Station to Ely. There are around two connections every hour from early morning through to late evening, with journey times ranging from 30 to 40 minutes. Peterborough Station is very close to the city centre, while Ely Station is about 15 minutes walk south of the cathedral and historic quarter.
Bus: There is no direct bus service between Peterborough and Ely, but indirect journeys are possible by using National Express or Stagecoach departures from Queensgate bus station to Cambridge Drummer Street bus station and changing to Stagecoach services onwards to Ely. The connections are available roughly every two hours and journeys take a little over three hours. Most services stop on Market Street in the centre of Ely.
Travel to Ely easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Peterborough to Ely.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Peterborough and Ely as scheduled services by train can vary by season or day of the week.
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