How much does it cost to travel to Cambridge?
You should plan to spend around $179 (£134) per day on your vacation in Cambridge. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $55 (£41) on meals
- $32 (£24) on local transportation
- $193 (£145) on hotels
A one week trip to Cambridge for two people costs, on average, $2,508 (£1,876). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Cambridge has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Cambridge expensive to visit?
Prices in Cambridge are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Cambridge is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Cologne or Lindau.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Cambridge Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Cambridge?
The average Cambridge trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Cambridge travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
£145
($193)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
£24
($32)
|
Food 2
|
£41
($55)
|
Entertainment 1
|
£22
($30)
|
Alcohol 2
|
£11 -
34
($15 - 46)
|
Accommodation Budget in Cambridge
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Cambridge can be very surprising. Some destinations have much higher price tags than others, and even within the same areas you can find a big difference between the budget-friendly and higher-end hotels. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Cambridge is $97 (£72). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Cambridge is $193 (£145). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Cambridge? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Cambridge include:
- Cambridge Bed & Breakfast starting at $133
- The Gonville Hotel starting at $211
- University Arms Autograph Collection starting at $200
Transportation Budget in Cambridge
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Cambridge is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $32 (£24) per person, per day, on local transportation in Cambridge.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$32
£24
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport To Cambridge. For $131 details
- Private Transfer: From Cambridge to London Heathrow Airport for $144 details
- Private Round-trip Transfer: From Heathrow Airport↔Cambridge for $282 details
How much does it cost to go to Cambridge? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Cambridge will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Cambridge
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment Budget in Cambridge
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Cambridge typically cost an average of $30 (£22) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$30
£22
A nice way to explore destinations in Cambridge is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Cambridge Science Tour for $33 details
- Guided tour to Bath & Stonehenge from Cambridge by Roots Travel. For $199 details
- Tangential Private Walking Tour of Cambridge for $200 details
Alcohol Budget in Cambridge
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $30 (£23) on alcoholic beverages in Cambridge per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$30
£23
Cambridge on a Budget
Cambridge, England
Cambridge is a university city in England located along the River Cam and best-known as the home of Cambridge University, which was established in the 13th century. Aside from university architectural landmarks, Cambridge is also characterized by open green landscapes perfect for picnics and gentle walks, as well as churches, museums, parks, and gardens.
Sights
Many visitors come to Cambridge to see the university and its many colleges. Some charge entrance fees, and they are all generally closed to the public during exam periods. King’s College and King’s College Chapel are popular landmarks for sightseeing, as is Queens' College with its Mathematical Bridge across the River Cam and medieval Old Hall. Trinity College is also very famous, featuring a beautiful courtyard and a library that houses important artifacts including medieval bibles, possessions of Sir Isaac Newton, and original manuscripts by Wittgenstein. Other colleges good for sightseeing include St Johns College, Pembroke College, Clare College, Saint Catharine’s College, and Homerton College-all of which have scenic grounds and impressive architecture.
As far as green areas go, one of the most popular is The Backs-a large green space along the River Cam that runs behind several colleges, offering walking paths, trees, and opportunities for boating. The Botanic Garden of Cambridge University is also a relaxing place to spend some time enjoying the collection of more than 10,000 species of plants. Other areas with parks and recreation include Jesus Green, Parker's Piece, and Christ's Piece.
Churches are another central aspect to the Cambridge landscape. Loyal to the Church of England, the colleges of Cambridge all have chapels. One of the largest and most impressive is Great St Mary's, which is open to the public. Dating from the 15th-century, the church is open daily and allows visitors to catch stunning views of the city from its bell-tower.
Neighborhoods
For the most part, Cambridge is pedestrian-friendly. Many sights can be easily reached on foot and much of the central area is traffic-free, except for cyclists. The tourist hub for shops and dining is located in around Market Square, though there are also plenty of options outside this area as well. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance from this central area, though cycling is also popular. University Colleges are scattered throughout the city, along with churches, chapels, and plenty of green space.
Activities
In addition to sightseeing, there are also a number of museums worth-visiting in Cambridge. The most important is probably the Fitzwilliam Museum on Trumpington Street, which showcases a large collection of art and antiquities from many ages and civilizations. Their departments include Antiquities, Applied Arts, Coins and Medals, Manuscripts and Printed Books, and Paintings, Drawings and Prints. Other museums include The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the Folk Museum, the Polar Museum, and the University Library.
Other activities involve enjoying the green spaces, gardens, parks, and opportunities for recreation along the River Cam. Punting, for example, involves propelling yourself in a long wooden boat by pushing a pole against the shallow river bottom. Guided river tours are available for those looking to experience the local sport, as are options for self-hire. Rowing on the Cam is also very common, and visitors might be able to see races at certain times of the year.
Food and Dining
Cambridge has a rich and varied dining scene like most cities. Traditional fare of England consists of anything you might find in a British pub-fish and chips, bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes), stews, soups, and just about any kind of meat pie you could ask for (often called pasties). A few additional specialties include black pudding (black sausage), steak and kidney pudding, pickled eggs, and plenty of coffee and tea shops. With England's imperial history, curry is also a very popular specialty in many British cities, including Cambridge. English pubs can be found just about everywhere, as well as kebab and pizza shops, but there are also plenty of restaurants serving Asian, Indian, Italian, American, and more.
Transportation
Cambridge is located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of London, making London airports a common way of entry when traveling to Cambridge. London Stansted Airport is about 30 miles away and has regular bus and rail services into Cambridge. Luton Airport is also easily connected to Cambridge via National Express Coach. Both airports offer some of the cheapest international flights in Europe with a number of low-cost airlines. Other London airports include Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City Airport. Regular trains run from London (at King’s Cross and Liverpool Street) to Cambridge.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.