cambridgeshire punting tour

Private Punting Tour

Shared punting tour, hen party tour cambridge, evening punting tour cambridge, romantic punting tours, punting for large groups, corporate punting tours, special occasions tours.

Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy

Private Punting Tours

Experience private punting in Cambridge for a personalized and intimate journey.

Enjoy shared punting tours with fellow travelers and friends in Cambridge

Cambridge Hen Party Tour

Experience an unforgettable hen party tour in the charming city of Cambridge

Punting Cambridge Tour Experience

Capture Lasting Memories: Punting in Cambridge Offers a Tranquil Experience and Unique Perspective of the Iconic City!

Immerse Yourself in the Splendor of Cambridge: Embark on a Captivating Punting Adventure!

Discover Cambridge’s captivating charm as you cruise along the historic River Cam. Relax on our elegant punts and let our experienced chauffeurs guide you through enchanting waterways. Check out our popular Cambridge punting tours.

Experience the charm of Cambridge's punting tours, tailored to provide an unforgettable journey along the historic River Cam.

Browse the extensive collection of punting tour packages.

Punting Cambridge strives to deliver the most exceptional and

memorable Cambridge punting tours on the beautiful River Cam.

Create An Truly Unforgettable Cambridge Punting Experience

Our passionate and knowledgeable team is dedicated to offer unforgettable Cambridge Punting Experience that showcases the rich history and stunning architecture of this iconic city.

What Our Customers Say

Visit Our Trending Tours

Is punting suitable for all ages.

Punting can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s a relaxing activity that offers beautiful views of the city and its famous colleges. However, it’s important to consider the comfort and safety of everyone in your group, especially if you have young children or individuals with mobility issues.

Are punting tours available in languages other than English?

Yes, some punting companies offer tours in multiple languages. It’s advisable to check with the company beforehand to see if they provide guided tours or audio guides in your preferred language.

Can I decorate the punt for a special occasion or event?

Yes, we allow customers to decorate their punts for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings.

How long does a typical punting tour last?

A standard punting tour in Cambridge usually lasts around 45 minutes to an hour. However, you can also find longer tours that last for a couple of hours or more, depending on your preference.

Are there any punting tours that operate during sunrise or sunset?

Yes, there are punting tours in Cambridge that operate during sunrise and sunset, providing a unique and atmospheric experience on the River Cam.

Can I bring my own punt pole?

If you choose to self-punt, you can bring your own punt pole if you have one. However, most punting companies provide punt poles for use during the tour.

Are life jackets provided during punting tours?

Yes, it is common for punting companies to provide life jackets or buoyancy aids during punting tours. The safety of passengers is a priority.

Is it necessary to book punting tickets in advance or can I purchase them on the spot?

It is advisable to book punting tickets in advance, especially during the peak tourist season or busy periods in Cambridge.

Can I bring my own fishing equipment and fish from the punt?

No, it is generally not allowed to fish from a punt in Cambridge. Punting is primarily a leisure activity and fishing is not a common practice during punting trips on the River Cam

Should I tip the guide?

Tipping the punting guide is not mandatory, but it is appreciated for excellent service. The amount is at your discretion.

Proceed Booking

Already a member.

Username or E-mail

Forget Password?

Don't have an account? Create one.

Or continue as guest.

WhatsApp us

Punting in Cambridge

Traditional cambridge punting.

Scudamore's Punting Cambridge first introduced pleasure punting to the city in the early 20th century. Remaining true to Jack Scudamore's original vision, we work to ensure that the River Cam can be enjoyed by all, offering traditional boating services to visitors and residents alike.

We pride ourselves on our warm welcome, unrivalled service and have designed our services around you. Treat yourself to one of our award-winning Cambridge tours or explore the river yourself on one of our self-hire boats.

Visit Cambridge and experience its historic waterways for yourself! We are at your service every day, except Christmas Day.

Award-Winning Traditional Punting in Cambridge

From the blog…

Punting is coming home 2020-06-14
Winter in Cambridge 2019 2019-11-20
One of Top UK Driving Destinations... 2018-01-04

Scudamores punting - Est 1910

View shopping basket
Forgot password?
Scudamore's Twitter
Scudamore's Facebook
Scudamore's Instagram
Scudamore's YouTube
Scudamore's Flickr
Scudamore's Pinterest

Email or Call Us: 01223 359750

© Scudamore's Punting Company 2024
Browser Cookies
Privacy Notice
Accessibility
Staff login
Private College Backs Punt Tours
Shared College Backs Punt Tours
Grantchester Punt Tours
Punt Hire College Backs
Punt Hire Grantchester
Canoe Hire Grantchester
Kayak Hire Grantchester
Paddle Board Hire Grantchester
Fireworks Punt Tours
Bat Safari Punting
Champagne Punt Tours
Gin Punting Tours
Afternoon Tea Punt Tours
Treasure Hunt Punting
Punt & Walk Cambridge Tours
School Punting
Corporate Punting
Hen Party Punting
Celebration Punting
Romantic and Wedding Tours
Working for us
Gift Vouchers
Cambridge Parking
College Backs Map
History of Punting

The BEST Cambridge Punting Tours, England

Are you looking for the best cambridge punting tours from scudamore’s to let’s go punting, this is how to find a tour that’s right for you..

If punting in Cambridge isn’t on your Great British bucket list then add it now. There’s nothing quite like gliding down the River Cam learning all about the history of Cambridge while on a punting tour. It really feels like you’ve stepped back in time into an old Dickens novel.

The best thing about punting in Cambridge is it takes you past sights that are otherwise impossible to see. On a Cambridge punting tour you’ll see sights like the Bridge of Sighs, the Mathematical Bridge and the back of King’s College. Punting gives you such a unique insight into what being a student at Cambridge university must be like.

Also, it’s a lot of fun snooping into all the different collages. It’s so easy imagining people like Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin running around these places. I think there’s something so magical about that. This really is such a beautiful city to explore.

I’ve been on a few different Cambridge punting tours and they’re surprisingly different. A number of tours have former Cambridge University students as their guides – obviously these are the ones who know the university inside out. However, there are some alternative and unique tours I’ll go into too.

In this blog post I’ll take you through all the different types of tours on offer. From experiences like the popular punting & walking tour to hiring your own punt, there are so many to choose from. Also, I’ll go into the different tour prices and which one my favourite is.

Saying that, it doesn’t matter which one you choose though because you’re in for an amazing time. As I said, it’s one of those classic British experiences that you just have to do at least once in your life.

What is punting in Cambridge?

For those of you who don’t know (I’m thinking of all you tourists here!), a punt is a flat-bottomed boat designed for getting around shallow rivers. One person (the punter) stands on the back of the boat with a long wooden pole in their hands. They then use this pole to push off the shallow river bed and to steer the punt. And in a nutshell, that’s what punting is.

Everyone always confuses punting and the gondolas of Venice as being the same thing, but they’re not. A gondola is a completely different type of boat to a punt. The locals can get a bit tetchy about this so make sure you call the boats punts and not gondolas.

Punting was first used to transport cargo around the rivers of Cambridge. It wasn’t until around 1902 that people started punting for fun. Fast forward to today and there are more punts on Cambridge than any other river in England .

Punting on the River Cam has become synonymous with life here and it is without a doubt one of the top things to do in Cambridge. Honestly, you really can’t quite beat punting in the summer when the sun’s shining. It is such a good experience.

There are two places where you can go punting in Cambridge. One is at the Backs – this is the most popular place where you’ll find the Bridge of Sighs, the Mathematical Bridge and King’s College.

The other place is Grantchester – this is a lot quieter, so if you’re thinking of punting yourself (as opposed to a tour) then this is the place to do it. You can also stop off at a riverside pub for lunch.

What are the types of tours?

Usually there are 3 types of tours you are go on.

Shared group tour – This is the cheapest type of tour where you share a punt with other tourists. If you’re lucky then sometimes you’ll share a boat with only a couple of other people. In summer though these boats are usually full.

Private tour – A private tour is where you hire a punt and someone to punt it for you. This means you’ve got a guide all to yourself who’ll go through the history of Cambridge. This type of tour is perfect for large groups or families. Also, this type of tour is really popular with hen parties too. Something a little different for your hen party there.

Hire your own punt – If you’re feeling brave you can hire you own punt for a couple of hours or for the afternoon. This is where you’ll steer the boat yourself which is a lot harder than it looks. This is great if you’re up for an adventure though and you can even bring along your own picnic too. Usually it takes around 30 minutes to get comfortable with poling the punt, so factor in that time.

The best Cambridge punting tours

There are a number of different companies to choose from. One of the oldest and my favourite is Scudamore’s punting company. This is the tour that I’ve done which takes you past places like Clare College Gardens and the Wren Library.

This tour takes 45-minutes and is the ideal introduction to Cambridge’s long and eventful history. The guides at Scudamore’s are often ex-students so I can’t recommend these guys enough.

For those of you who like to do things yourself, you can hire a punt . This is usually for 90 minutes with up to 5 seated passengers and one brave volunteer from your group to punt. I’ve tried it before and it takes a few tries before you master the knack of it, but then it’s smooth sailing.

If you’re like to see more of Cambridge then I’d recommend this punting and walking tour . On this tour a Cambridge graduate will take you on a 90-minute walking tour around the city where you’ll visit all the famous chapels and libraries. Then you’ll go on a 50-minute punting tour on the River Cam where you’ll get to see a completely different side of the city. You will even have a a free punting lesson during your tour. This is a really fantastic tour for people who want to see some more of the city – it’s one of the highest rated tours too.

Here are a few other popular Cambridge punting companies:

Cambridge Punting Company
Let’s Go Punting
Traditional Punting Company

Cambridge punting price

The Cambridge punting price varies depending on what type of tour you book and which day you go on.

Usually, a ticket for a shared group tour on a weekday is around £12. This is around £14 on the weekends.

Hiring a 12-person punt can cost around £120 on a weekday and £150 on the weekend. However, this does include a guide.

When it comes to punting prices in Cambridge, I would always book online and book ahead too. This is how you’ll get the cheapest tickets, and often you’ll find some good deals. The prices can be a lot more expensive if you book spontaneously on the day.

Other tours in Cambridge

If you’re spending more than a few days here, then make sure you check out the best day trips from Cambridge to explore more of the surrounding area.

I really hope you found this guide useful, and if there’s anything I can help with at all just let me know in the comments below. Oh, and enjoy your Cambridge punting tour – it really is one of the best things to do in Great Britain!

Enjoyed this post? Pin it for later…

The Best Punting Tours in Cambridge, England

WELCOME TO CAMBRIDGE PUNTING TOURS

Shared tours

Private tours

Customised tours

PUNTING CAMBRIDGE

Shared punting cambridge, private punting, hen party tour, group punting, evening tours, special occasions.

Cambridge Punting Tours take pride in providing the highest quality tours of the Cambridge river. With over 15 years experience punting in Cambridge, you can be sure of having a memorable, safe and informative punting tour through the resplendent Cambridge University grounds.

With over 15 years experience punting in Cambridge, you can be sure of having a memorable, safe and informative punting tour through the resplendent Cambridge University grounds.

Our 50 minute Chauffeured punting tours depart every 30 minutes and take you through the heart of the University of Cambridge punting you past some of the most iconic buildings in the world. Sit back and relax as our experienced chauffeurs share their knowledge and insights, while you gently glide past magnificent buildings and ornate bridges, steeped in history and heritage.

Private Punting Tour

The package of your private punting is inclusive of a chauffeur, or you can go self-punting and prefer to spend 50 minutes of your time on the river as you desire.

BOOK ONLINE

Private Tour for up to 2 Private Tour for up to 6 Private Tour for up to 12

NUMBER OF BOATS

1 2 BOOK NOW

Shared Punting Tour

Booking for a shared punting tour in Cambridge. All you have to do is book a flexible ticket(s) and join the 9 member crew and enjoy a Cambridge chauffeured punt.

SELECT GROUP SIZE

Ticket - Valid for up to 2 people Ticket - Valid for up to 3 people Ticket - Valid for up to 6 people Ticket - Valid for up to 6 people (Max 2 adults) Ticket - Valid for up to 9 people

Evening Punting Tour

Since most of the college buildings are not illumined, we highly recommend you to go punting before dusk.

Punting Tours

Private tour.

Our speciality at The Cambridge Punt Company remains the traditional Private Punting Tour. (Tour duration 45-50 mins). It used to be that every punt tour in Cambridge was conducted privately for one group of customers at a time. The explosive popularity of Cambridge as a tourist destination has resulted in shared tours, that is larger punts carrying several groups of different customers on the same punting tour.

Shared Tour

Allow your guide to show you the wonder of The Backs, the mile stretch of river we take you on hasn’t changed, nor has the quality of our guides and the commentary, just the way you are spaced in the boat. 1m apart from other groups or separated by a perspex screen, we have taken measures to ensure we comply with guidelines. Hand sanitiser and masks available.

Hen Party Tour

Punting is a must-do activity for you and your hens. Take one of our Private Guided River Tours along The College Backs, and listen to our expert, (easy on the eye – even if we do say so ourselves) guides giving you an informative tour – or not, he can just punt and you can natter, drink and enjoy the views – it’s up to you! The boat chauffeur will happily give you some pointers and let you ladies have a try at punting yourselves. (Except at busiest times)

Romantic Tour

Take a romantic river tour with just your loved one. The River Cam provides a beautiful setting for a romantic outing. Enjoy it’s meandering path as you sit back, snuggled up in your own private boat. Listen to our chauffeur’s commentary of the picturesque scenery, or, he can just punt the boat and you can be alone, whispering sweet nothings to each other as the sights go by.

Evening Tour

Have the water practically to yourselves, glide along without worrying about the other river traffic, as there virtually isn’t any! Enjoy the sun setting on the beautiful riverside College buildings. See the Wren Library bathed in the late pink sunlight of an early summers evening. We cannot recommend this tour option enough! Our guide will pace the tour to your own individual group’s taste, talking as much or as little as you desire.

Group Tours

At the Cambridge Punt Company we can assist your group with our flexible approach to your booking. You can schedule a departure time that suits you from our conveniently located Boat Station (CB5 8AQ) just in front of La Mimosa Restaurant. We have a coach stop only a 2 minute walk away across the river opposite the Arundel House Hotel CB4 3AN. We can offer a good discount for large numbers coming during the week. We can fit into your group’s schedule. We can help to plan other activities. We can offer refreshments, picnics and walking tours. We do have some multi-lingual staff members too. All our staff are trained to give in-depth and interesting historical tours of the famous ‘Backs’. They will give your group detailed account of many well researched anecdotes and stories of the riverside colleges. We are fully equipped to take school parties – we can send you relevant documentation required by some authorities : risk assessments, public liability certificates etc.

May Ball Fireworks

This year Trinity and Clare College are holding their May Balls on Monday 20th June followed by the St Johns and Queen’s College May Balls on Tuesday 21st June. These colleges compete each year for the best firework displays and you can be there to take it all in from a chauffeured punt; without a doubt the best way to see the spectacle. We offer private punt hire so you can make the most of the Cambridge May Week Fireworks and Celebrations whatever your group size – up to 12 per boat. Our boats depart at 8.30pm to give your chauffeur plenty of time to navigate your boat to a great vantage point for the firework extravaganza at 10.30 – 11.00pm. The atmosphere on the River Cam over these two evenings of May Week is unrivalled by any other night of the year. So bring along your Champagne or hot chocolates and let us guide you along the river and you can sit back and take it all in. We have limited availability for both nights so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Cambridge Punting Tours

See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

CAMBRIDGE PUNTING TOURS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

01223 651 659 [email protected] BOOK NOW

01223 651 659, quick book: shared & private punting tours.

Book a Top Rated Cambridge Punting Tour with us!

Book one of our award-winning Cambridge punting tours. Our chauffeured punting tours of Cambridge last approximately 50 minutes along the college backs. Tours are return trips starting from and returning to our landing stage on the corner of Jesus Green. Choose between a private tour for just your group (up to 2, 6 or 12 people) or shared tour. There are up to 4 separate groups on a shared tour, book a row for 2 or 3 or 4 *(inc 1 child under 5 on a lap) or a section for up to 6 people or 7 people *(inc 1 child under 5 on a lap).

Book Your Shared or Private Punting Tour

Online bookings: Max 2 boats. For larger bookings please contact us.

Note: Family ticket for 4 or 7 includes 1 child under 5 on a lap.

Know Before You Go

All tours last approximately 50 minutes. Tours are booked for a specific time. Late arrival will result in a missed (or shortened for private) tour.

You are welcome to bring food and drinks on board. We can also organise food & drinks for private tours (at least 48 hours’ notice required).

Tours booked online are paid for in full at the time of booking. If you would prefer to pay a 30% deposit with the balance due 2 weeks before the booking date please CONTACT US . This option is only available for private tours.

We do go ahead in poor weather. If requested by you we will aim to reschedule wherever possible. More information can be found here: Terms & Conditions.

Punting in Cambridge

Our private punting tours can accommodate a maximum of 12 passengers per boat (multiple boats available).

Shared tour tickets can be purchased for up to 2, 3, 6 or 9 people. We also have a family ticket for up 6 people with a maximum of 2 adults. When booking a shared tour there will be other groups on the boat.

Our Cambridge Punting tours last for approximately 50 minutes and pass by 7 riverside colleges and famous landmarks including Kings College Chapel, The Bridge of Sighs, The Wren Library and The Mathematical Bridge. During the tour, your chauffeur will provide a guided tour including historical facts and anecdotes about Cambridge University and the buildings you are passing.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Boat sides and cushions are cleaned between each tour.
Specific departure times are booked in advance to assist social distancing meaning no queuing.
Group-specific seating – book an entire row or section. If booking a row for up to 2 or 3 then they may be a group opposite – minimum face to face distance is 1.5 metres.
Tour available on an app with a free download code.

Punting in Cambridge – A Few Changes.

Due to social distancing guidelines and minimising cross contamination we have made the following changes:

Life Jackets and Umbrellas are temporarily unavailable. You are very welcome to bring your own.
We are unable to allow any customers the opportunity to have a go at punting.
Our rugs covering the cushions have been replaced with a wipe clean material.

close up of 2 women drinking and laughing together on a punt

Want to find out more?

Let's Go Punting Bestsellers

Cambridge punting tour tickets, private tour tickets, shared tour tickets, family tickets.

Lets Go Punting, Landing Stage, Thompsons Ln, Cambridge CB5 8AG

[email protected].

• Punting News • FAQ’s • Work for Us • Reviews • Our Friends

• Terms and Conditions • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy • Accessibility

• Punting News • FAQ’s • Work for Us • Reviews • Our Friends • Terms and Conditions • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy

Tel: 07807 718592
Email: [email protected]
Early Bird Discounts
Shared Tours
Private Tours
Browse Tours

Cambridge Punting Tours

Leave your car behind and take a trip through time in one of England’s ancient cities. Our guided punting trip is the best (and most leisurely) way to explore the famous attractions of Cambridge!

Book Shared Tour
Book Private Tour

Your Authentic Cambridge Punting Experience

Your 45 minute Cambridge punting journey will take your along the backs of the River Cam where we will share the history, legends, and eccentricities of Cambridge University. You will see seven of the colleges, nine of the bridges, and all of the most iconic views our city has to offer. At Cambridge Punters we strive to offer both a great a service and to maintain the tradition of punting. Your friendly, local guide will be one of the most experienced wits, raconteurs, and boatmen on the river. Versed in the arts of history, punting, and tall tales!

Spacious, luxurious, and fully customisable. Our private punting trip is just you, your chauffeur, and whoever you decide to invite. Best enjoyed with a glass of something cold and a picnic, this 45 minute trip will let you see Cambridge on your own terms.

Affordability without the compromise! Our shared punting tour includes all of the same sights, stories, and escapades as our private tour, only you share the boat with other intrepid explorers of Cambridge.

Our early bird private punting trips are exactly the same as our private tours – just cheaper! Book a morning tour to get the best value punting experience in Cambridge.

Browse all tours & offers

Cambridge Punter News

The latest rumours, gossip, and goings on from the River Cam

30th June 2020

COVID-19 OPENING UPDATE

Here at Cambridge Punters we have been closed since March, and since then our position has been absolutely clear: We will not reopen until either it is safe to do so, or someone gets us drunk. So we are pleased to announce that from July 4th, as the pubs around the U.K. reopen, we will […]

13th March 2020

Covid 19 (corona virus) and Cambridge

UPDATE: In line with the latest government advice, and our own consciences, we have taken the decision to close for the time being. our social media and email channels remain open if you need to contact us for any reason. Current government advice is to avoid all non-essential travel. Whether coming to Cambridge to see […]

28th February 2020

Mothers’ Day

For today’s blog post we would like to propose a thought experiment… Let’s say you carried a child in your womb for nine months. Underwent the labours of birth. Nursed them for years as a child. Supported them. Helped them become an adult. An adult who then takes you to Las Iguanas for Mothers’ Day […]

View all news posts

Punting Tours

Night Tours
Hen Night Punting
May Week Fireworks

Useful Links

Cookies & Privacy
Terms & Conditions
Accessibility

In Association with

Visit England
Cambridge City Council
Lonely Planet
Green Tourism

Web Design by Chameleon Studios

Punting Cambridge

Book your cambridge punting tour.

Start searching now for availability and prices

The Traditional Cambridge Punting Experience

For over a century, flat bottom boat hires have been a beloved tradition in Cambridge, and now it’s your turn to experience the magic. Book your chauffeured punts tour today and prepare to be swept away by the stunning views of the River Cam from the most coveted seat in the city!

Founded in 2001 by proud Cantabrigians, has been delighting tourists with top-rated boat tours for over two decades. Our highly skilled punt chauffeurs are the cream of the crop and have been hand-picked to provide you with the ultimate punting experience that Cambridge has to offer.

Best Value Cambridge Punting Trips

Private Punting

Tour the river in style with a private punt all to yourselves. Bring your own refreshments, relax, and enjoy the view.

A private punt just for you
Your own personal tour guide
Tailored to your needs

Shared Punting

A Private seating area on a Shared Punting Tour for group sizes of up to 9.

A cheaper alternative to Private Punting
Live availability and discounted prices online
Runs frequently throughout the day

Picnic Punting

The ultimate alfresco dining experience with a picnic punting package

Delicious, freshly prepared picnics
Perfect for anytime of the day

Romantic Punting

A romantic punting tour is the perfect couples experience. A quintessential activity for lovers in Cambridge.

A private punt just for you and your loved one
A unique date night

Hen Party Punting

If you’re looking for a fun and unique Hen do activity in Cambridge, then Hen Party Punting is for you.

A private chauffeured tour
Bring your hen do accessories & refreshments on board

Punting for Large Groups

Large group punting is the ideal activity for any occasion from big school groups to social events.

Multiple Punts to cater for large group sizes
Invoice methods of payment when booked in advance

Punting Cambridge, Cambridge Punting, Punting in Cambridge, Let's Go Out, Punting Affiliate

What our Punting Trips Offer

Authentic punting.

We offer a truly traditional and authentic Cambridge punting experience

HISTORIC SIGHTS

View famous Cambridge colleges and sights from the best seat in town

Pre-booked departure times with text message alerts for boarding

DISCOUNTED RATES

Book online to receive up to 50% off when compared to the on the day rates

Why Choose the Traditional Punting Company for your Cambridge River Trip

Our commitment to excellence is unwavering, and we never cut corners when it comes to providing you with an incredible river journey.

Our expert tour guides are carefully chosen and have a wealth of knowledge that includes fascinating facts, mesmerising stories, and captivating anecdotes that will keep you entertained throughout your trip.
We’re not just a punt hire tour operator, we’re also dog lovers! We welcome your furry friends to join us onboard for an adventure on the Cam.
Don’t let the season hold you back from experiencing the beauty of Cambridge from the river! Our guided tours are available all year round, even in the autumn and winter, so you don’t have to miss out on this incredible adventure.
Our advanced booking system ensures a stress-free experience to purchase your punting ticket, allowing you to relax and look forward to your upcoming unforgettable experience with us.

Traditional Punting Company, Landing Stage, Thompsons Ln, Cambridge CB5 8AQ

Our Reviews

We did a punting tour with the Traditional Punting Company, that I had booked online on Monday the 17th of February. Our guide was Ben and he did a brilliant job, punting against the strong current and telling us lots of interesting stories. Very good experience! Thank you.

KIRSTEN KRAUSE

Great experience, very relaxing and our tour guide Torin was brilliant! He was very knowledgable and provided all the info we needed on the tour and more. He guided the punt professionally and we all learned a great deal about Cambridge. We booked a private punt at 10.30am and it was a perfect time as not too busy! Thanks Torin.

ALISON GARDNER

The Best Punting in Cambridge

Look no further for the best punting in Cambridge. Our range of boat punt hire rental tours are perfect for everyone, from families to hen parties and even large group events .

We also offer optional extras that will take your Cambridge river trip to the next level. Indulge in one of our various picnic deals, from cream tea punting to deli-style sharing boxes, and make your tour package a truly luxurious experience.

We pride ourselves on tailoring our services to meet your unique requirements. Our staff are available seven days a week to answer any questions you may have.

And if traditional punting isn’t your thing, we’ve got you covered! Our special events runs all year round and covers a wide range of events, from Music on the River to the May Ball Fireworks. So what are you waiting for? Choose the us for an adventure of a lifetime and make unforgettable memories with us!

group of friends chatting to the punt chauffeur in front of the Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge

NIGHT PUNTING

We offer evening punting tours in Cambridge during the summer months

CHAMPAGNE PUNTING

Traditional Punting Company allow you to take your own refreshments on board

FAMILY PUNTING

We offer discounted rates for morning departures, perfect for families who want to make the most of their day

The Traditional Punting Company are a fully licensed punt tour operator in Cambridge.

Useful info

Privacy Policy
Refunds & Cancellation Policy
Terms & Conditions

Opening hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00 Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 Friday 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday 09:00 - 17:00 Sunday 09:00 - 17:00

Cambridge River Tours

Your Punting Experience Starts Here

Experience Cambridge like never before

If you've never taken a punt tour of Cambridge you really are missing out. Sit back, relax, and take in the sights and sounds of our wonderful city...

Book now - Tour later

Buying online not only ensures a discount, you also get until October to choose the best day to take your tour of the Cambridge college backs. Perfect.

Current Opening Times: 9am - Dusk

Current Opening Times

Back to Experiences

Cambridge Punting & Walking Tours

A wide shot of a party of people in a punting boat sailing past a group of empty, moored boats.

The combo of a punting and walking tour has been designed to give you the very best introduction to the city with all the Cambridge highlights on and off the river.

This Cambridge tour is ideal for first-timers, curious travellers, prospective students, staycationers or day-trippers wanting to make the most of their time during their stay.

Your punting tour will be led on the river by your Rose Marque Punting Guide, with your walking tour through the heart of the city led by your qualified Green or Blue Badge Guide.

We’ll make sure you know who to believe and can sort the fact from the fiction, covering all the city centre’s must-see sights. You’ll have the opportunity to soak up the very essence of Cambridge with its compelling atmosphere on and off the water.

Combo Punting & Walking Tour

We’ve partnered with the official Cantab to ensure that our Punting and Walking Tours are the best way to see the city. You’ll travel back in time to discover how the city has become the wonder that you see today.

On your 45-minute punting experience, you’ll see the beautiful King’s College and its Chapel , the elegant Clare College, the decorative St John’s College with its majestic Bridge of Sighs and New Court , and more!

On your 90-minute walking tour, you’ll walk through a thousand years of human history: from an Anglo-Saxon church tower to a novel and controversial clock that doesn’t keep the time! See the rooms where Newton wrote his theory of gravity and the pub where Watson & Crick announced one of the greatest discoveries of the twentieth century.

Of course, Cambridge is nothing without its students, and you’ll hear all about their escapades – both academic and otherwise. Explore the iconic sights of the city as you hear about the Cambridge people that changed our world

Punting and walking, there’s gothic and neoclassical architecture everywhere and you’ll find Cambridge is overflowing with stories just waiting to be told.

Join us for the ultimate Cambridge tour experience – the perfect way to see the city.

Private Cambridge Tours – Using Your Tickets

Your private tour experience means that you’ll have 100% of your guide’s attention! Choose how much you want to hear and ask as many questions as you like. Plus these bespoke city tours can be tailored further to your needs on request, get in touch with the team on 01223 322200.

Tours can be booked between 10.15 am and 4.45 pm Monday to Saturday, and between 12.15 pm and 4.45 pm on Sundays.

Tours run consecutively: Your private punting tour is for 45 minutes and can be booked for your chosen time and date. Your personal guide will meet you at our Jesus Green Moorings to begin your walking tour, 15 minutes after your punting tour finishes.

VisitEngland Best Told Story award for 2021-2022.

Cambridge's finest punting

Share our love for the river in the heart of Cambridge

All aboard!

Private tours.

private tours

A boat and a guide to yourself, the height of luxury on the river Cam

Starts from £40

Shared tours?!

shared tours

Hop on board with fellow passengers and take in the college views

Cool adventures?!

sweet adventures

A picnic? Perhaps some wine? Go above and beyond

Traditional punting at its finest

All Hand crafted wooden boats with raised seats for your comfort. Top rated chauffeurs dressed in classic punting uniform. Tours can be purchased with free cancellation and there are no booking fees.

book your punting trip

Scholars Punting Co.

We pride ourselves on a warm, friendly service, offering chauffeured punting tours to meet individual needs and requirements. We offer excellent Cambridge punting deals on shared or private tours of the famous 'Backs' - the historic University of Cambridge colleges that align the river

All our punts are equipped with raised seating , warm blankets and umbrellas, so rest assured you'll be comfortable come rain or shine. We also offer tours in a number of languages, so please let us know your preference and we'll make every effort to ensure your tour is extra special

book a private boat

What's happening in Cambridge?

A merry weekend in cambridge: festive delights and punting adventures, date night punting in cambridge, scholars punting kids activity book, blog punting in cambridge 2022, the veteran’s punt pole, comfy raised seats for punts, punting cambridge deals, picnic punting in cambridge, valentine’s day punting gift voucher.

Guaranteed entry & quick boarding

Food & drink tours for kids and adults

Top rated history tour

Corales Puntacana Championship

Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course)

Punta Cana • DOM

Apr 18 - 21, 2024

Journey to Moscow

Welcome to Moscow - the capital of Russia, its political, scientific, historical, architectural and business centre, from which power and might of the Russian state developed.

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

The Comprehensive Guide to Moscow Nightlife

Posted on April 14, 2018 July 26, 2018
by Kings of Russia
8 minute read

Moscow’s nightlife scene is thriving, and arguably one of the best the world has to offer – top-notch Russian women, coupled with a never-ending list of venues, Moscow has a little bit of something for everyone’s taste. Moscow nightlife is not for the faint of heart – and if you’re coming, you better be ready to go Friday and Saturday night into the early morning.

This comprehensive guide to Moscow nightlife will run you through the nuts and bolts of all you need to know about Moscow’s nightclubs and give you a solid blueprint to operate with during your time in Moscow.

What you need to know before hitting Moscow nightclubs

Prices in moscow nightlife.

Before you head out and start gaming all the sexy Moscow girls , we have to talk money first. Bring plenty because in Moscow you can never bring a big enough bankroll. Remember, you’re the man so making a fuzz of not paying a drink here or there will not go down well.

Luckily most Moscow clubs don’t do cover fees. Some electro clubs will charge 15-20$, depending on their lineup. There’s the odd club with a minimum spend of 20-30$, which you’ll drop on drinks easily. By and large, you can scope out the venues for free, which is a big plus.

Bottle service is a great deal in Moscow. At top-tier clubs, it starts at 1,000$. That’ll go a long way with premium vodka at 250$, especially if you have three or four guys chipping in. Not to mention that it’s a massive status boost for getting girls, especially at high-end clubs.

Without bottle service, you should estimate a budget of 100-150$ per night. That is if you drink a lot and hit the top clubs with the hottest girls. Scale down for less alcohol and more basic places.

Dress code & Face control

Door policy in Moscow is called “face control” and it’s always the guy behind the two gorillas that gives the green light if you’re in or out.

In Moscow nightlife there’s only one rule when it comes to dress codes:

You can never be underdressed.

People dress A LOT sharper than, say, in the US and that goes for both sexes. For high-end clubs, you definitely want to roll with a sharp blazer and a pocket square, not to mention dress shoes in tip-top condition. Those are the minimum requirements to level the playing field vis a vis with other sharply dressed guys that have a lot more money than you do. Unless you plan to hit explicit electro or underground clubs, which have their own dress code, you are always on the money with that style.

Getting in a Moscow club isn’t as hard as it seems: dress sharp, speak English at the door and look like you’re in the mood to spend all that money that you supposedly have (even if you don’t). That will open almost any door in Moscow’s nightlife for you.

Types of Moscow Nightclubs

In Moscow there are four types of clubs with the accompanying female clientele:

High-end clubs:

These are often crossovers between restaurants and clubs with lots of tables and very little space to dance. Heavy accent on bottle service most of the time but you can work the room from the bar as well. The hottest and most expensive girls in Moscow go there. Bring deep pockets and lots of self-confidence and you have a shot at swooping them.

Regular Mid-level clubs:

They probably resemble more what you’re used to in a nightclub: big dancefloors, stages and more space to roam around. Bottle service will make you stand out more but you can also do well without. You can find all types of girls but most will be in the 6-8 range. Your targets should always be the girls drinking and ideally in pairs. It’s impossible not to swoop if your game is at least half-decent.

Basic clubs/dive bars:

Usually spots with very cheap booze and lax face control. If you’re dressed too sharp and speak no Russian, you might attract the wrong type of attention so be vigilant. If you know the local scene you can swoop 6s and 7s almost at will. Usually students and girls from the suburbs.

Electro/underground clubs:

Home of the hipsters and creatives. Parties there don’t mean meeting girls and getting drunk but doing pills and spacing out to the music. Lots of attractive hipster girls if that is your niche. That is its own scene with a different dress code as well.

What time to go out in Moscow

Moscow nightlife starts late. Don’t show up at bars and preparty spots before 11pm because you’ll feel fairly alone. Peak time is between 1am and 3am. That is also the time of Moscow nightlife’s biggest nuisance: concerts by artists you won’t know and who only distract your girls from drinking and being gamed. From 4am to 6am the regular clubs are emptying out but plenty of people, women included, still hit up one of the many afterparty clubs. Those last till well past 10am.

As far as days go: Fridays and Saturdays are peak days. Thursday is an OK day, all other days are fairly weak and you have to know the right venues.

The Ultimate Moscow Nightclub List

Short disclaimer: I didn’t add basic and electro clubs since you’re coming for the girls, not for the music. This list will give you more options than you’ll be able to handle on a weekend.

Preparty – start here at 11PM

Classic restaurant club with lots of tables and a smallish bar and dancefloor. Come here between 11pm and 12am when the concert is over and they start with the actual party. Even early in the night tons of sexy women here, who lean slightly older (25 and up).

The second floor of the Ugolek restaurant is an extra bar with dim lights and house music tunes. Very small and cozy with a slight hipster vibe but generally draws plenty of attractive women too. A bit slower vibe than Valenok.

Very cool, spread-out venue that has a modern library theme. Not always full with people but when it is, it’s brimming with top-tier women. Slow vibe here and better for grabbing contacts and moving on.

High-end: err on the side of being too early rather than too late because of face control.

Secret Room

Probably the top venue at the moment in Moscow . Very small but wildly popular club, which is crammed with tables but always packed. They do parties on Thursdays and Sundays as well. This club has a hip-hop/high-end theme, meaning most girls are gold diggers, IG models, and tattooed hip hop chicks. Very unfavorable logistics because there is almost no room no move inside the club but the party vibe makes it worth it. Strict face control.

Close to Secret Room and with a much more favorable and spacious three-part layout. This place attracts very hot women but also lots of ball busters and fakes that will leave you blue-balled. Come early because after 4am it starts getting empty fast. Electronic music.

A slightly kitsch restaurant club that plays Russian pop and is full of gold diggers, semi-pros, and men from the Caucasus republics. Thursday is the strongest night but that dynamic might be changing since Secret Room opened its doors. You can swoop here but it will be a struggle.

Mid-level: your sweet spot in terms of ease and attractiveness of girls for an average budget.

Started going downwards in 2018 due to lax face control and this might get even worse with the World Cup. In terms of layout one of the best Moscow nightclubs because it’s very big and bottle service gives you a good edge here. Still attracts lots of cute girls with loose morals but plenty of provincial girls (and guys) as well. Swooping is fairly easy here.

I haven’t been at this place in over a year, ever since it started becoming ground zero for drunken teenagers. Similar clientele to Icon but less chic, younger and drunker. Decent mainstream music that attracts plenty of tourists. Girls are easy here as well.

Sort of a Coyote Ugly (the real one in Moscow sucks) with party music and lots of drunken people licking each others’ faces. Very entertaining with the right amount of alcohol and very easy to pull in there. Don’t think about staying sober in here, you’ll hate it.

Artel Bessonitsa/Shakti Terrace

Electronic music club that is sort of a high-end place with an underground clientele and located between the teenager clubs Icon and Gipsy. Very good music but a bit all over the place with their vibe and their branding. You can swoop almost any type of girl here from high-heeled beauty to coked-up hipsters, provided they’re not too sober.

Afterparty: if by 5AM you haven’t pulled, it’s time to move here.

Best afterparty spot in terms of trying to get girls. Pretty much no one is sober in there and savage gorilla game goes a long way. Lots of very hot and slutty-looking girls but it can be hard to tell apart who is looking for dick and who is just on drugs but not interested. If by 9-10am you haven’t pulled, it is probably better to surrender.

The hipster alternative for afterparties, where even more drugs are in play. Plenty of attractive girls there but you have to know how to work this type of club. A nicer atmosphere and better music but if you’re desperate to pull, you’ll probably go to Miks.

Weekday jokers: if you’re on the hunt for some sexy Russian girls during the week, here are two tips to make your life easier.

Chesterfield

Ladies night on Wednesdays means this place gets pretty packed with smashed teenagers and 6s and 7s. Don’t pull out the three-piece suit in here because it’s a “simpler” crowd. Definitely your best shot on Wednesdays.

If you haven’t pulled at Chesterfield, you can throw a Hail Mary and hit up Garage’s Black Music Wednesdays. Fills up really late but there are some cute Black Music groupies in here. Very small club. Thursday through Saturday they do afterparties and you have an excellent shot and swooping girls that are probably high.

Shishas Sferum

This is pretty much your only shot on Mondays and Tuesdays because they offer free or almost free drinks for women. A fairly low-class club where you should watch your drinks. As always the case in Moscow, there will be cute girls here on any day of the week but it’s nowhere near as good as on the weekend.

In a nutshell, that is all you need to know about where to meet Moscow girls in nightlife. There are tons of options, and it all depends on what best fits your style, based on the type of girls that you’re looking for.