London to Cambridge Train Ticket Cost 2026
Advance from £8. Greater Anglia and Thameslink combined. ~55m King's Cross via Thameslink.
London to Cambridge is served by two operators: Greater Anglia from Liverpool Street (1h15m) and Thameslink from King's Cross / Brighton (~55m fastest non-stop). Greater Anglia is the historic operator; Thameslink offers the faster journey via the Cambridge cross-country line and is the typical choice for time-sensitive travel.
Cambridge is heavily commuter-focused (King's Cross-Cambridge daily season is around £6,000 annually) so advance fares are not the dominant economics here. For leisure travel, Thameslink advance from £8 is exceptional value.
London to Cambridge Train Prices
| Ticket Type | Single | Return | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thameslink Advance Single | from £8 | 2x singles | King's Cross, 55m |
| Greater Anglia Advance Single | from £10 | 2x singles | Liverpool Street, 1h15m |
| Off-Peak Single | £24 | £34 | After 09:30 weekdays |
| Anytime Single | £45 | £82 | Peak fare |
Prices indicative singles based on operator-published fares, verified May 2026. Always check the live price on National Rail or the operator's own site before booking.
Operator Comparison
| Operator | Route | Duration | Services | Advance From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thameslink | King's Cross to Cambridge | 55m | every 30m | from £8 |
| Greater Anglia | Liverpool Street to Cambridge | 1h 15m | every 30m | from £10 |
Saving Tips for London to Cambridge
- Thameslink via King's Cross is faster than Greater Anglia via Liverpool Street - and often cheaper. Use Thameslink unless you specifically need Liverpool Street.
- Off-peak return at £34 is the standard day-tripper fare - exceptional value.
- If you commute 4+ days a week, an annual season at around £6,000 saves vs daily; flexi season (8 in 28) works for 2-3 day hybrid pattern.
- 16-25 Railcard takes one-third off off-peak - £24 becomes £15.85.
Best Days to Travel
Train vs Driving vs Coach
Driving: 65 miles, £15-20 fuel, plus £15-22 Cambridge parking (or Park and Ride at £4). Coach: National Express from £8, 2h. Train wins on speed; coach matches advance fare on cost.