Navigating from Heathrow Airport to the University of Cambridge: Your Complete Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on getting from Heathrow Airport to the University of Cambridge. This guide is designed to help you choose the best mode of transportation, saving you time and stress on your journey.

Option 1: Train and Local Transport

1. Train Travel: Start your journey by getting on the Piccadilly line of the London Underground from Heathrow Airport. This line will take you to King’s Cross station. From there, you can catch a direct train to Cambridge, which depart at quarter to and past each hour, and at 14:00 and 14:44.

Note that trains departing at 26 and 56 minutes past the hour, even if they are labeled as Cambridge, should be avoided. These trains travel to Ely or Kings Lynn instead and may cause delays.

Important Points:

The Cambridge Ely trains will be your best bet if you are heading to Cambridge specifically. Trains to Kings Lynn are more frequent and can be a good alternative if you aren't going directly to Cambridge. Once in Cambridge, the best way to get around is by bicycle, but for visitors, walking, taking a bus, or a taxi might be more convenient, depending on your destination location.

Option 2: National Express Bus

National Express coach 727: This bus service runs an hourly service from Heathrow to Cambridge. In Heathrow, the coach stops at Heathrow terminal 5, Heathrow terminal 4, and the Heathrow central bus station.

Key Points:

The typical one-way fare for coach 727 is between ￡15-￡30. The journey from Heathrow central bus station to Cambridge usually takes 2 hours 25 minutes. While this option is slow, it is more budget-friendly. If you book in advance, you can find deals.

Future Improvements from December 2019

Better Rail Services: Starting from December 2018, the Thameslink upgrade will be complete, greatly improving the train services between Heathrow and Cambridge. Six direct through trains per hour from Cambridge via central London will run to destinations like Brighton, Horsham, and Maidstone.

Crossrail Network: In December 2019, Heathrow will join the Crossrail network. Four direct through Crossrail trains per hour will run via central London, including stations like Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, and onto Canary Wharf, Abbey Wood, or Shenfield.

From Heathrow Central, a journey on the Crossrail train to Farringdon will take approximately 31 minutes. From Farringdon, there will be an onward Thameslink train to Cambridge, with a journey time of around 60–90 minutes.

Additional Hints for Travelers

Driving: It is highly discouraged to drive yourself from Heathrow to Cambridge, especially given the M25 motorway traffic. Cambridge is known for its warren of one-way streets, with limited and expensive parking. Unless you know the area intimately and have pre-arranged parking, driving is not recommended.

Heathrow Express Bus: While the Heathrow Express train can transport you to London Paddington station quickly, it can be quite expensive, particularly for a journey involving a change to the Cambridge service. It is also less direct than the Thameslink and Crossrail options.

Conclusion

When planning your journey from Heathrow Airport to the University of Cambridge, consider the various transportation options available. Whether you prefer train, bus, or even taking a private pickup service like Airport Lynx, we hope this guide helps you choose the most efficient and cost-effective route for your travel needs. Happy travels!