cambridge oxford travel

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

Trains from Oxford to Cambridge

Save 61% on average when you buy in advance †

Book travel across Europe

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

Trainline Trainline is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets

• Train times
• Oxford to Cambridge

Oxford to Cambridge by train

It takes an average of 3h 17m to travel from Oxford to Cambridge by train, over a distance of around 67 miles (108 km). There are normally 17 trains per day travelling from Oxford to Cambridge and tickets for this journey start from £21.50 when you book in advance.

Taking the train from Oxford to Cambridge in 2 hours 37 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Oxford to Cambridge? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 3 hours 17 minutes to travel the 67 miles (108 km) from Oxford to Cambridge by train, although you can get there in as little as 2 hours 37 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 17 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 2 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You're likely to be travelling with Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia or Thameslink to Cambridge. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.

Book train tickets from Oxford to Cambridge in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £21.50. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices in our Journey Planner, for example when you travel at Off-Peak times or use a Railcard.

If you're feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Cambridge by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from oxford to cambridge we've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey., how long does the train from oxford to cambridge take.

The average journey time by train between Oxford and Cambridge is 3 hours and 17 minutes, with around 17 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Oxford and Cambridge by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Oxford to Cambridge is 2 hours and 37 minutes.

How much does the train from Oxford to Cambridge cost?

Train ticket prices from Oxford to Cambridge can start from as little as £21.50 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Oxford to Cambridge?

No, there are no direct train services from Oxford to Cambridge. Travelling from Oxford to Cambridge by train will require a minimum of 2 changes.

What time does the first train from Oxford to Cambridge leave?

The first train from Oxford to Cambridge leaves at 02:46. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Oxford to Cambridge leave?

The last train from Oxford to Cambridge leaves at 22:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Oxford and Cambridge by train?

Trains travelling from Oxford to Cambridge cover a distance of around 67 miles (108 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Cambridge to Oxford .

Cheap train tickets from Oxford to Cambridge

Book in advance.

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Oxford to Cambridge is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets , and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

Advance train tickets, anytime train tickets, first class train tickets, groupsave train tickets, off-peak and super off-peak train tickets, return train tickets, flexible train tickets, looking for more ideas, trains from oxford, trains from cambridge, more to explore.

• Oxford to London
• Oxford to Bicester Village
• Oxford to London Paddington
• Oxford to Reading
• Oxford to Banbury
• Cambridge to London
• Cambridge to London Kings Cross
• Cambridge to Stansted Airport
• Cambridge to Ely
• Cambridge to Brighton
• Neath to Reading West
• Sheffield to Reading West
• Wrexham to Reading
• Chadwell Heath to Reading
• Esher to Reading
• Ludlow to Reading
• Purley to Reading
• Swanley to Reading
• Southend Central to Reading
• Whittlesford Parkway to Reading
• Wareham (Dorset) to Reading
• Farringdon to Reading
• Ockendon to Rayleigh
• Perth to Ravensthorpe
• Blackpool to Ravenglass for Eskdale

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.

Bus from Cambridge to Oxford

Compare all timetables for the bus from cambridge to oxford, cheapest bus trips today, cheapest bus trips tomorrow, cheapest bus trips thursday, cheapest bus trips friday, cheapest bus trips saturday, cheapest bus trips sunday, cheapest bus trips monday, frequency of bus connections between cambridge and oxford, facts about the bus from cambridge to oxford.

Compare all providers like National Express that travel 10 times every day by bus from Cambridge to Oxford in one click! Book your bus ticket from Cambridge to Oxford starting from $37!

Cheapest bus connections from Cambridge to Oxford

Every day, 10 buses from 1 bus companies leave Cambridge for Oxford: in the table below, you will find the cheapest prices for a bus ticket for this route, starting from 04/30/2024 and for the following days.

The cheapest time to travel from Cambridge to Oxford

How to save money travelling from cambridge to oxford.

Book the ticket from Cambridge to Oxford in advance! The earlier you book, the cheaper usually the price is. Also, you will be sure to have a place on the bus from Cambridge to Oxford, compared instead if you buy it at the last moment, or directly at the station.

Beloved bus companies from Cambridge to Oxford

National express from cambridge to oxford.

Here you will find the key facts about the National Express bus route Cambridge to Oxford:

All bus stations and stops in Cambridge and Oxford

In the map below, you can see where to find all bus stations in Cambridge and Oxford.

Service and Comfort on the bus from Cambridge to Oxford

Faqs about the cambridge to oxford bus, how much does a cambridge oxford bus trip cost, how much could i save by comparing buses from cambridge to oxford, on average, how many connections are available from cambridge to oxford each day, how long does a bus journey from cambridge to oxford take, what time is the first bus from cambridge to oxford, what time is the last bus from cambridge to oxford, which bus companies operate the cambridge oxford route, is there a direct bus between cambridge and oxford, what can i take with me on the cambridge to oxford bus route, what equipment is available for the cambridge oxford bus route, available seat classes which are offered on the bus route cambridge to oxford.

The cheapest option available for your ticket, it usually comes with reclinable seats and AC.

Alternate transport types from Cambridge to Oxford

Cheap train tickets from cambridge to oxford, more bus routes from cambridge and oxford.

• Bus Routes from Cambridge
• Cambridge to Frankfurt am Main
• Cambridge to Kettering
• Cambridge to Norwich
• Cambridge to Portsmouth
• Cambridge to Watford
• Bus Routes from Oxford
• Oxford to Coventry
• Oxford to Derby
• Oxford to Edinburgh
• Oxford to Grimsby
• Oxford to Newcastle upon Tyne
• Oxford to Portsmouth
• Oxford to Reading
• Oxford to Slough
• Cambridge to London Heathrow Airport
• Cambridge to London Stansted Airport
• Cambridge to Luton Airport
• Oxford to London Stansted Airport
• Oxford to Southampton Airport

The CheckMyBus App

Free Download

We value your privacy!

• DESTINATIONS

Oxford vs. Cambridge, From a Tourist's Perspective

Oxford and Cambridge are two iconic universities with storied pasts. Explore them through a tourist's lens, comparing architecture, traditions, and ambiance.

Oxford vs Cambridge! Both cities with tremendous history. Whether that's the traditional university boat race. Or the general battle to be known as the best university in the country. And if you're a student at one of the universities, then you are amongst one of the brightest pupils on the planet. But, as a tourist, are you debating on which city to visit, or visiting both during your stay in England?

I tried searching for articles that made a comparison on which city was the best to travel to. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything to read about from a tourist perspective. If you have found yourself in the same position as me, then let me tell you about my time in both cities so you can make up your mind. 

Before heading over to both cities, I debated whether I should visit Oxford or Cambridge as a day trip from London. You can get a train from Kings Cross station to Cambridge, which takes an hour. And a train from Paddington station to Oxford which takes less than an hour. But I decided to stay over for a weekend to get the most out of my both visits. 

I traveled to Cambridge in February 2020 and planned to travel to Oxford in March of that year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I couldn't travel to Oxford until June 2021. 

Why visit Cambridge

When I arrived in Cambridge, it was gloriously picturesque and compact. It was exactly what I imagined; a quintessential university town in England. Pictorial cobble-stoned streets, serene greenspace, botanical gardens, and historical museums with students riding their bikes to and from class. As I mentioned, Cambridge is compact, making everything reachable by foot in twenty minutes or less. 

To get an understanding of the city, I spoke to a second-year student, Sophie, about what she thought about living and studying in Cambridge. I first asked her to describe what it was like living in Cambridge. She told me, "I believe living in Cambridge feeds the soul. You are simultaneously living in a city with one of the richest cultural histories in the country. When I walk through college, I often think how I could be treading the same path as Byron, Wordsworth, Cromwell, and Attenborough may have walked."

I asked Sophie what’s it like to be a student in what’s regarded as one of the best universities in the world. She told me, "Naturally, it is a source of pride for most students to be able to say they're at Cambridge, though I doubt many would actually admit that out loud." 

And finally, what tips she had for tourists. She told me, "You should have a bucket list prepared for the things you want to see, as there are so many. Luckily most things are within walking distance." 

She told me about the University Botanic Gardens, Fitzwilliam Museum, and Kettle's Yard. She said you can take a walk along the river from Jesus Green to midsummer common. Punting is something she said you must try and, if you can, get a student to take you out as you can get it cheaper. She also said you can take a walk to Grantchester meadows-a beautiful village along the river, which is very popular with students.

I would also say that there are various restaurants to choose from in terms of dining out. I would also recommend heading over to one of the oldest pubs in town, The Eagle. If you head over to the back, you will see names written by many who have impacted the city on the walls and ceiling. 

I spoke to a barman at the pub who has lived in Cambridge for many a year and said, "I love living here, there is something so quirky about this place, and it breathes so much history. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. It may be known for its colleges, but it's also great for building a life here."

There is a market as well where there is an array of international food stalls. Plus, Jack's gelato is regarded by many as the best ice cream shop in Cambridge.

Why visit Oxford

Let's look at Oxford and why I would recommend you visit this beautiful city. Oxford has more of a metropolitan vibe to it. The town has stately buildings and picturesque spots. Oxford is far more sprawling when you compare it to how compact Cambridge is. You can still get around on foot; however, walking around is not as scenic as Cambridge.

I spoke to a couple of students whilst I was in Oxford to get their take on the city. I talked to Ollie, who said, "There is always something going on in the city. No one day is the same. That is the beauty of the city." 

I also spoke to Sarah, who said, "It's a city where you can make great friends, and you can always have a rounded debate with people." She also went on to say, "Restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs since I have lived here are in a sad state of affairs because of the covid pandemic, and I haven't been able to experience the best yet. But, I have heard it's great in normal times. I can't wait to experience the city in its full capacity once we get out of this pandemic." 

When I talked to George, who has lived in Oxford all of his life, he echoed how great the city is in regular times. He said, "You have come at the wrong time, my boy. Come back to us when we aren't restricted, as you will get the best out of the city then." He went on to say, "When there are tourists here from all over the world, there is such a vibrant atmosphere in the city."

One thing Sarah did say everyone must do is to take a walk down Port Meadow. She said, "If you want to get away to think and reflect, Port Meadow is a nice place to go for a walk." I took her advice and certainly enjoyed the walk and ended up going into a beautiful pub that I found called the Perch, which is away from the central hub. 

Oxford does offer people to go for a punt ride as well. However, I decided not to whilst I was there. From the reviews I read, it's not as picturesque as Cambridge. There are many boat rides that you can utilize though. I would recommend that over the punting. Mind you, they are costly as prices can start from $60.

Oxford, when it comes to Harry Potter, serves up a treat. There are countless shops and many locations used for filming the movies. The Great Hall in Harry Potter was inspired by the Great Hall in Christ Church College. The steps that lead up to the hall were used in several scenes, as were the surrounding hallways.

Bodleian Library in the Divinity School was used as the Hogwarts hospital. Duke Humphrey’s Library (also at Bodleian Library) was also used as the Hogwarts Library in the first film. Lastly, when Mad-Eye Moody turned Draco Malfoy into a ferret, that was filmed at the New College Cloisters. 

Cambridge might remind you of many Harry Potter scenes, but the only university that was used was Oxford.

If you are looking to wine and dine, there are plenty of places to get some food, and quite a popular part for many to congregate is next to the Oxford Castle and Prison. Plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. You can look at the castle from the hilltop next to it to get a great view. 

Apart from this, there are plenty of authentic restaurants to choose from if you keep walking along the main road. There are a lot of chain restaurants as well. 

Should I visit both cities?

I've lived in the U.K. my whole life, and even I was contemplating whether to visit both university towns. They are very similar; however, the only reason I decided to travel to both places is that I love my history, and I was committed to seeing where well-known and respected students and professors attended or taught classes. I also wanted to see the contrast in architecture for my photo album. 

Sophie mentioned a few alumni, and here is a list of a few more notable names. Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin went to Cambridge. J.R.R. Tolkien, Albert Einstein, and Oscar Wilde studied at Oxford. Stephen Hawking and C.S. Lewis attended both universities. The list goes on, but if seeing the sacred halls where these individuals studied is an interest to you, then it's definitely worth visiting both cities.

Both cities offer tours (often student-led) that will take you through the most popular colleges, chapels, and libraries. You will find beautiful architecture and that “scholarly” vibe in both Oxford and Cambridge.

Now to travel to one of these places, you will need a fair bit of money. Neither city is necessarily the most cost-effective place to visit. Cambridge was slightly cheaper, but that was pre-pandemic. I felt Oxford was potentially more costly as they were trying to recoup lost earnings because of the pandemic. 

I stayed in Cambridge in a lovely bed and breakfast for around $110 over two nights which was in the city center. Oxford was more expensive. I paid $70 for an Airbnb for one night. You also don't need to spend more than a couple of days in both cities if you want to get the best experience. 

To dine out, Cambridge cost me $25 on average for dinner. Oxford cost me $50. For lunch, Cambridge cost around $15, and Oxford was $25. These prices are with one or two soft drinks. So you would need to add more to the bill if you get yourself a bottle of wine. 

My train up to both cities from London cost around $40 each for a return ticket. 

I have to point out, both Oxford and Cambridge are the most expensive cities in the U.K. outside of London. So set aside around about $300-400 for a couple of nights—including hotels, transportation, all the activities, and dining out.

Summary on the Oxford vs Cambridge debate

My verdict on which city I found better to be a tourist. If you’re looking for the more picturesque, compact, elegant, and quintessential university town, Cambridge wins the Cambridge vs Oxford debate. If you are a big Harry Potter fan, then Oxford wins the discussion. The country walks in Port Meadow, and heading up to the Perch pub afterward for a nice pint is lovely. But apart from that, I can't think of anything else that makes Oxford more visitable than Cambridge. 

However, If you are a big history buff then you should have both of these places on your list to visit when you are in England.  

I will also say, the students I spoke to from both universities all said their city was far more superior than the other. But I was expecting them to say that. Either way, you'll have a memorable time in either city as both are beautiful destinations filled with history and character.

When it comes to choosing between Oxford and Cambridge as a tourist, you're in for a delightful dilemma. These two historic cities, known for their prestigious universities and riveting traditions, offer unique experiences that cater to different tastes. Whether you're drawn to the spirited boat races or the intellectual rivalry between the universities, both cities have plenty to offer. So, as a tourist, the question is not whether to visit Oxford or Cambridge – it's about relishing the opportunity to explore both and bask in their rich history and academic charm.

More stories:

Travel Magazine is the leading publication for those who go boldly. Discover trip itineraries, vacation ideas and more.

Visit Oxford or Cambridge: Choosing a London Day Trip

Last Updated on February 23, 2024

by Paola Drexler

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

If you’re visiting London and only have the time for one or two day trips, inevitably you will be trying to decide between planning a visit to Oxford or Cambridge – to of the world’s most iconic university towns.

In general, visiting Oxford is a great choice for those looking for a livelier city. On the other hand, Cambridge is a great choice for those looking for a quieter, picture-perfect getaway.

From London, both are easy to visit with lots of connections and a short travel time. Both cities have universities that are considered amongst the best in the world and are rich in history, as well as being located in the beautiful English countryside. However, which one should you choose to visit?

Table of Contents

Known for having one of the most prestigious universities in the world boasting alumni such as Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll and JRR Tolkien, the city of Oxford is not only a great representation of a quaint English town but also a major city for science, technology, art and innovation.

Accessibility

Oxford is easily accessible by most modes of transportation and is especially popular for visitors travelling from London as you can reach the city in around an hour by train.

One of the most convenient and best ways to do an Oxford day trip from London is by train. You can start your day by catching a train from Paddington Station in West London.

You can expect trains to pass more frequently on a weekday than on the weekend. So plan accordingly. You can buy tickets and view schedules here .

If you prefer travelling by bus, your journey will take a bit longer but the frequency in which the buses pass is better with the waiting time being no more than 10 to 15 minutes.

Of course, you can also drive to Oxford from London. You can browse options here if you’re looking to rent a car. Travelling by car can have the added bonus of being able to explore other must-see England destinations on the way.

Once you’re at Oxford, it is easy to explore on foot since the main sights are within the city centre.

Affordability

When considering the affordability element to deciding whether to visit Cambridge or Oxford, the cost doesn’t differ too much.

Generally, statistics show that London is the most expensive city in the UK with other cities in the south of England including Cambridge, Brighton and, of course, Oxford coming in not far behind. That being said, this has more to do with the cost of living and is unlikely to have much of a difference to a tourist visiting for a day.

In general, you can expect a visit to Oxford to cost more or less the same as heading to Cambridge and will fall in line with your overall England travel costs .

Things to do in Oxford

There are so many things to do in Oxford. On a day trip to Oxford, you can go around the university town to the different University of Oxford colleges, walking the same paths numerous students and famous scholars have walked. You can  book this walking tour or this guided walking tour  to learn more about the history of the city.

In the heart of the city, you can climb up 99 steps to the viewing platform of Oxford’s highest building — the Carfax Tower. From the tower, you’ll get a stunning panoramic view of the old city from above.

From here you’ll be able to visit Christ Church College and see firsthand where some of the scenes from Harry Potter took place.

In fact, the dining hall in Christ Church was replicated to create the Great Hall of Hogwarts and seeing it is enough to make any Harry Potter fan swoon. Other filming sites for the movies in Oxford include the Bodleian Library and the New College. You can also view the gorgeous Gothic architecture of the Christ Church Cathedral and the college chapel.

Nearby, on Golden Cross, you’ll come across the popular Covered Market where you can browse to find what your heart desires whether that be clothes, treats or other fun things.

On High Street, you’ll be stopped in your tracks when you spot the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. The magnificent church has been a thriving institution in Oxford for over seven hundred years.

From here if you continue on St Mary’s Passage you’ll find the impressive Radcliffe Camera. Today, you can sit in the reading room of the Radcliffe but with its long and rich history, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you learn about it like how it’s the first circular library in England.

If you’re still in the mood for some reading, you can visit the original Blackwell’s bookshop and roam the store until you find your next book, music or work of art.

Last but not least, when you both towns, you’ll get a chance to experience the well-known colleges. Although the University of Oxford’s colleges are mostly spread out around the city, you can find what resembles a traditional main campus at the Science Area near the Radcliffe Camera.

If you have more time to explore, you can always stroll around the University Parks to the beautiful gardens. You can also take in the beautiful architecture at the Oxford Divinity School.

Day Tours from London to Oxford

If you’d rather take the guesswork out of planning your day trip to Oxford, then heading to the city on a guided tour is an excellent choice. There are lots of options that include stops in the city to choose from.

For example, this full-day tour or this full-day tour are great choices and they also include stops in some of the charming villages in the Cotswolds – not far from Oxford itself. So you get to explore more of England!

Another great option is this guided tour which also includes stops in both Oxford and some charming Cotswolds villages .

If you’re keen to see Stonehenge and Windsor Castle along with visiting Oxford, then you may find this group tour to be a great option.

And Harry Potter fans will absolutely love this full-day tour which includes a visit to the studio in Watford along with a tour of Oxford.

Located along the River Cam, Cambridge has a long history dating back to the 13th century which makes it a compelling and beautiful city to visit.

The university boasts alumni such as Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin and the city itself has a lot to offer visitors. Visiting Cambridge as a day trip from London is a great way to experience this quintessential university town.

When choosing between Oxford or Cambridge to visit, you can take the distance into consideration. However, it takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Cambridge from London – similar to that when travelling to Oxford.

If you’re looking to travel with ease and convenience, an excellent option to get to Cambridge is by train, just buy your ticket beforehand to save on tickets .

Another option is to travel by bus, although it takes longer you can save some money on the fare. One way of your journey will take about 3 hours and you can catch the bus at London Victoria Station. You can also browse the bus schedules here .

Similar to Oxford, once you arrive in the city it is easy to walk around to the must-see spots.

In general, you can freely pick between Oxford and Cambridge to visit and choose which one you like the most without putting too much thought into the cost as the deciding factor.

Depending on what your plans are, you can control how much you spend when exploring the city. If you’re looking to stick to a budget, it won’t be a problem since most of the main attractions are free.

As mentioned already, there isn’t a huge difference in price between the two cities so this is not a major determining factor.

Things to do in Cambridge

On your visit to Cambridge, you’ll discover that there’s so much history and beauty all around the city. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the available activities and sights to see, you can join a free walking tour or this paid walking tour that can help lead the way around the city.

If you’re in the mood to explore on your own, you can’t go wrong visiting a few of the 31 Cambridge colleges to get a feel for the city. For example, two of the most popular colleges are Trinity College and King’s College.

You can pay to enter the colleges and even just admiring them from the outside is worth the visit but you can also get a good view from the grounds of King’s College or by entering through Trinity Lane to take a better look at Trinity College.

On Cambridge Market Hill, you can take a stroll through the market to search for delicious food, jewellery, clothes and other treasures.

To see and hear one of the city’s impressive works of art you’ll have to walk to the Taylor Library to see the Corpus Clock. The clock is more of an art display than an actual functioning clock because it doesn’t always tell you the accurate time.

For a bigger dose of art, you can visit The Fitzwilliam Museum free of charge. Here you’ll find treasures from all over the world including paintings, ornaments and trinkets.

After touring the museum, you can experience the city on the water and take a punt down the river. You can either do the punting yourself or relax and enjoy the ride while someone else does it for you.

To finish your day on a high note you can climb up the steps at St Mary’s church and get a mesmerising view of Cambridge from above. Of course, nothing beats unwinding with a pint at one of Cambridge’s many pubs.

Day Tours from London to Cambridge

If you’d prefer to head to Cambridge on an organised tour rather than deal with train timetables and transport yourself, then there are a number of different options available to you.

For example, this guided tour can be the perfect choice if you’re unable to choose between Cambridge vs Oxford and it will take you to both in one day! Perfect for the indecisive among us.

Another excellent option if you’re keen to simply visit Cambridge as a singular destination is this full-day tour from London. It includes a guided walking tour of the town along with some free time for independent exploration.

Oxford vs Cambridge: The Verdict

On the surface, there is not a lot of difference between Cambridge and Oxford so it can be a bit tricky to choose which is the better day trip option. However, both cities have their similarities and differences that make them each unique.

If you’re looking for a livelier city then Oxford is for you, but if you’re looking for a more picture-perfect city then Cambridge takes the win.

Oxford is also a good option for fans of Harry Potter as there are several filming locations scattered throughout the city. Due to its location, Oxford also make a good jumping-off point for exploring the towns and villages in the Cotswolds if you have the time.

Cambridge is smaller than Oxford but no less charming – in fact, it may be even more so! It’s compact nature makes it a joy to explore and the backs of the colleges and it’s ideal location on the River Cam make it a tremendous place for a historic and tranquil getaway. And though it is popular in both cities, Cambridge is also an excellent place to try your hand at punting!

No matter which city you decide on, you’ll finish your day trip with beautiful memories.

Both Oxford and Cambridge have a lot to offer visitors – from historic city centres, fascinating universities and a vibrant student life. You cannot go wrong with whichever you end up choosing.

Are you considering visiting Cambridge or Oxford? Have any questions about the cities? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Ultimate 10-Day England Itinerary: 3 Perfect Routes

The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in The Cotswolds Itinerary

The Perfect Weekend in Manchester Itinerary

About Paola Drexler

Paola is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the state of Arizona in the USA, she lived in Germany before moving to the United Kingdom. Paola loves spending her free time travelling in Europe and sometimes ever further afield.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Places on our 2024 summer school are filling fast. Don’t miss out. Enrol now to avoid disappointment

• 5 Key Differences between Oxford and Cambridge

You might also enjoy…

• 8 Top Tips for Surviving as a Fresher
• 6 Differences Between Student Life in the UK and in the USA

It’s a summer’s day. People are eating strawberries in punts on the river. Students cycle past, their panniers overloaded with books, and narrowly avoid crashing into a large group of tourists who were concentrating more on their map than on the traffic. There’s a lively market in the square not far away, and you are surrounded by beautiful, historic buildings on all sides. That’s a scene that immediately brings to mind only two places: Oxford and Cambridge (though residents of Bath and Canterbury might argue that it could also take place there). But it’s nigh-on impossible to say which one it might be. They have plenty of other similarities as well; roughly equal proximity to public transport links, including a fast train to London and a good range of airports nearby. Suggestions that Oxford is better for the humanities and Cambridge for the sciences (or vice versa) are soon proven to be outdated. And there’s no perceptible difference in teaching quality between the number one and number two universities in the UK, either. So, whether you’re planning on attending a summer school, or you’re figuring out what to put on your UCAS form, the choice between the two can be a challenge given that they are so very similar. To save you from tossing a coin, here’s our look at what separates them.

To experience the differences yourself whilst living and studying in the colleges of the universities, consider joining Oxford Royale’s Oxford summer courses or Cambridge summer school this summer.

1. Oxford is bigger and livelier; Cambridge is smaller and quieter

As differences go, this one is still not all that significant. Oxford has a population of 150,000; Cambridge has a population of 124,000. An additional 26,000 people is unlikely to feel that different if, for instance, you are also considering studying in London (population: 8.7 million). Both Oxford and Cambridge are small cities that feel like they sit on the intersection between being small cities and large towns; if you’ve come from London, Manchester or Birmingham, say, both will feel small. They are also both of a size that means you can cycle across them in about half an hour (in Oxford, we’ve defined this as Summertown to Rose Hill; in Cambridge, as the Science Park to Grantchester Road).

All the same, if you’re seeking differences, rather than similarities, this is one of the more noticeable ones. Gentrification has progressed further in Cambridge than in Oxford, so that the lively area of Mill Road in Cambridge is distinctly quieter and more middle-class than its equivalent in Oxford, Cowley Road. In Cambridge, the nightlife is more student-orientated, as the students make up a greater percentage of people going out. This difference is sometimes expressed as “Oxford is bigger and livelier; Cambridge is smaller and prettier”, which is unfair to Oxford. Whether you prefer the delicate spires of King’s College, Cambridge, to the grand surroundings of Radcliffe Square, Oxford, is very much a matter of taste, and both cities have an equal number of stunning buildings and memorable views. Oxford’s architecture is more uniform, as it’s mostly built from the same Headington stone, while as Cambridge has no local stone, its buildings are more diverse. But there’s certainly no consensus as to which city is therefore more beautiful. One side-effect of Oxford being larger is that it has two main bus companies, rather than just one, and the competition between the two means that bus travel is easier in Oxford than Cambridge. However, if you’re planning on walking or cycling, there’s no noticeable difference between the two; both are extremely friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.

2. Cambridge and Oxford universities offer different subjects

That’s not to say that they offer completely different subjects, of course; but you certainly shouldn’t assume that every subject will be offered by both universities, and, if offered, it will be taught in the same way. For instance, Cambridge offers a course in Architecture, which Oxford doesn’t. Oxford offers Fine Art, which Cambridge doesn’t. Celtic courses at Oxford are currently under review, and can’t be studied until at least 2018, while Cambridge’s celebrated Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic course (ASNC – or ‘az-nack’) is still going strong. Cambridge offers a Natural Sciences degree that covers a wide range of areas within science, allowing students to choose their specialism later, while Oxford students have to choose their focus at the point at which they apply to the university. Oxford also doesn’t offer a course in Veterinary Medicine, while Cambridge does.

Beyond these differences between the subjects that are offered at each university, there are also differences in what is taught within the specific subject. For instance, both universities offer English courses (in Cambridge called simply ‘English’, and in Oxford, ‘English Language and Literature’). But in Oxford, in your first year, you will study “early medieval literature, Victorian literature and modern literature up to the present day”, while being introduced to “the conceptual and technical tools used in the study of language and literature, and to a wide range of different critical assumptions and approaches”. At Cambridge, in your first two years, the only compulsory papers are “English Literature and its Contexts 1300-1550” and “Shakespeare”. You can choose to avoid “Practical Criticism and Critical Practice” (that’s the same thing as Oxford’s “critical assumptions and approaches”) altogether if you prefer, and the earliest literature you will study dates from 1066 onwards. Oxford’s definition of first-year “early medieval literature” is from 650 onwards, whereas in Cambridge this is assigned to Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic. You can see that while the two courses have more in common with each other than they might do with many other English courses elsewhere (Lancaster’s first-year English literature course, for instance, focuses on the late sixteenth century to the present, and modules to be taken in later years are also mostly about modern literature), they also have significant differences, especially if you’re interested in early medieval literature. You’ll see the same sorts of differences in almost any subjects, as what’s included will depend on the choices of the particular faculty – so it’s worth looking carefully in case one university or the other doesn’t cover your particular interests.

3. Oxford is (slightly) more traditional

Once again, just about any other university in Britain (except perhaps Durham and St Andrews) will have fewer weird or arcane traditions than Oxford and Cambridge. They both have a hefty dose of ceremonies in Latin, robe-wearing at meals, and sports that have died out nearly everywhere else, like real tennis and fives. But if you’re set on choosing between the two, it might be worth noting that Oxford has slightly more weird traditions to start with, and is more wedded to retaining the ones that it still has. We’ve written about Oxford traditions before, but it’s worth noting that while some of these are also followed at Cambridge (such as rituals about Formal Hall and the ceremony of Matriculation), there are plenty that are unique to Oxford. Everything around Ascension Day, plus all the odd approaches to time, and the delights of May Morning, are traditions observed solely by Oxford University, not by Cambridge. The only tradition that Cambridge has maintained and Oxford abandoned is the tradition of having their own police force. This had been the case for both universities since the 1825 Universities Act, which actually predates the existence of a general police force in the United Kingdom. Oxford abolished its police force in 2003, as the non-student population of the city complained that they were “not accountable to any public authority” and it would have cost too much to train them to the required standard. In Cambridge, however, there are still between 20 and 30 university constables, known as bulldogs, who confine themselves to internal university matters.

The tradition that might affect you most as a student of either university is the one of wearing sub fusc – a kind of uniform of a black suit, white shirt and black robe, plus a black tie for men and a black ribbon for women. While this exists in both Cambridge and Oxford, and students at both are required to wear it at certain special occasion, in Oxford you also have to wear in for exams. This means that you’re much more likely to see students in sub fusc in Oxford than in Cambridge (and they’re also more likely to look a bit stressed when they’re wearing it). Some people might think that needing to follow a strict dress code for exams adds extra pressure where it wouldn’t be wanted, but the students of Oxford University clearly disagree; a vote was held in 2015 to determine whether sub fusc for exams should become optional, and three-quarters of students voted to keep it compulsory. The leader of the campaign to keep sub fusc, Harrison Edwards, said, “The message I get from people from under-privileged or poor backgrounds is that having the ability to wear their gown makes them feel the equal of Etonians or Harrovians, and that is something they don’t want taken away from them.” This attitude to traditions seems to extend more broadly throughout student life at Oxford; while they might seem off-putting to others, for the students they are a valued part of the Oxford experience.

4. The weather is different

The climate of Oxford and Cambridge looks pretty similar on paper – Cambridge has an average of 576 mm of rainfall per year against Oxford’s 660 mm, and their average annual high and low temperature is much the same. But Cambridge sits in former wetlands – the Fens – which were drained as the town expanded, giving it its own particular climate that is distinctive to these fenland areas. While there were some earlier attempts to drain the Fens, the first proper scheme of drainage began in the 1630s, meaning that the lands surrounding Cambridge University would have looked very different in the first half of their history than they do today. The draining and pumping process began to use steam engines from the 1820s, which made it much faster and more effective. Today there are 286 pumping stations and 3,800 miles of watercourses. River and sea embankments also defend the Fens from flooding, as their height above sea level is so low that the areas would flood at high tide if not protected. This low-lying situation makes Cambridge much mistier and foggier than Oxford is. While Oxford is around 70 m above sea level, Cambridge is in some places just 6 m above sea level. Cambridge also feels a lot windier than Oxford does, partly because it is considerably flatter, so there are fewer barriers to the wind.

5. The setting is different

Cambridge, as we’ve noted above, is in East Anglia, surrounded by fenland. Oxford, on the other hand, is located to the east of the Cotswolds, an area of rolling hills, dotted with small villages. If you like hills, choose Oxford; Cambridge only has the Gog Magog Downs, an elevation of just 75 m above sea level – one of the features that makes the city so very good for cyclists.

Both cities are close to London, though the travel time from Cambridge is marginally shorter (45 minutes on a fast train to King’s Cross, as compared to Oxford’s 58 minutes to Paddington). But other than this, the places you can get to from each of them differ considerably – Oxford is more convenient for Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, for instance, whereas Cambridge is much nearer to the beach than Oxford, which is about as far from the coast as it is possible to get in the UK. Wales is easier to reach from Oxford; the East and North-East, much easier from Cambridge. Cambridgeshire boasts fewer National Trust properties than Oxfordshire (and Oxford is closer to the stunning grandeur of Blenheim Palace), but has an array of incredible cathedrals on its doorstep in Ely, Peterborough, Norwich and Bury St Edmunds. Whichever way you look at it, Oxford and Cambridge have a lot in common, and chances are, you would be equally happy in either of this beautiful, historic cities. And it’s worth remembering, as the number of people who do their undergraduate degree in one and their postgraduate degree in the other demonstrate – that if you can’t decide between the two, it’s not impossible to have both. Image credits: oxford high street ; bicycle in cambridge ; bicycle ; warrior ; oxford students in sub fusc ; fog ; cotswold stone cottage . 

Foreign states, including China, are targeting U.K. universities to enhance their own ‘economic and military capabilities’ MI5 warns

Foreign states are using UK universities to “steal advantage” by covertly acquiring British intellectual property, the government warned, saying it would explore proposals to protect cutting-edge research and technology.

After an internal review found other countries are targeting sensitive academic work, the UK will consult on measures to protect the British higher education sector from foreign threats, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said late Thursday. It followed a meeting in which leaders of 24 universities — including Oxford and Cambridge — were briefed by the chiefs of the UK Security Service, MI5, and the National Cyber Security Centre.

The consultation will “explore proposals to protect cutting-edge technology under development in sensitive sectors that are being targeted by states stealing intellectual property to enhance their own economic and military capabilities,” the government said in a statement. It “will also consider measures to prevent institutions becoming dependent on foreign investment.”

While the government didn’t name any countries in its statement, concern in Britain has focused increasingly on Chinese funding of British university programs as well as the growing number of students from the Asian nation studying in the UK. Last year, Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee  warned  about Chinese interference and influence.

“There are obvious and repeated examples of Chinese attempts to interfere and stifle debate amongst the academic community in the UK,” the committee said. “The UK’s academic institutions provide a rich feeding ground for China to achieve political influence in the UK and economic advantage over the UK.”

Meanwhile, in a chapter on China in last year’s integrated  review  of security and defense policy, the government promised ministers would “increase protections for academic freedom and university research.” 

The government said the consultation later this summer will look at:

• Requiring key university personnel to undergo security clearance
• Seeking greater transparency about funding and its origins
• Enhancing security around research in universities

“This is not about erecting fences, this is about balancing evolving threats and protecting the integrity and security of our great institutions,” Dowden said.

Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, who co-hosted the meeting with universities and security chiefs, said the government intends to give universities the “tools they need to keep themselves safe.”

“Maintaining the UK’s world-leading reputation as an academic superpower relies on having strong safeguards to protect research from those who wish to do us harm,” she said. 

Latest in Politics

• 0 minutes ago

After threatening to resign over X, Spanish prime minister Sanchez declares he will ‘continue on with even more strength’ despite corruption claims against wife

U.S. intelligence officials find ‘no smoking gun’ that Putin directly ordered Navalny’s death

French President Macron said Europe will ‘not be a geopolitical priority’ for the U.S. and urges the continent to develop its defense strategy to survive

Sweden gears up for an uncertain future as it invests billions in infrastructure and energy grid defence

EU preps vast program of subsidies as it declares U.S. and China ‘no longer playing by the rules’

Most popular.

Gen Z job seeker refused to do 90-minute task because it ‘looked like a lot of work’—now the CEO who complained about it is being slammed

The meteoric rise and stunning fall of Prime, Logan Paul’s energy drink that was once resold for almost $1,500 a can: ‘A brand cannot live on hype alone’

The 5 best supplements for healthy aging, according to a longevity expert

The U.S. economy is actually a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ as the weak GDP report masks underlying strength, Wells Fargo says

Elon Musk publicly dumped California for Texas—now Golden State customers are getting revenge, dumping Tesla in droves

‘We expect Powell to make a hawkish pivot’—Fed meeting to headline busy week for global markets