Hotels in Cambridge UK: Where to Stay in 2025
Updated 5 August 2026 · 121 real hotels
The city centre and Petersfield are the most convenient bases in Cambridge, putting colleges, museums and riverside walks within easy reach on foot. Chesterton offers a quieter residential feel with good bus links, while Cambourne suits drivers who prioritise space and value over proximity.
Your stay in Cambridge, in one conversation
Charlize builds hotels, activities and dining around your wishes, dates and budget.
Where to stay on any budget?
A real selection, real prices, from the most affordable to the showstopper.
| Hotel | Area | Rating | Price / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| B&B Hotel Cambridge South ★★★★ | Whittlesford | ★ 4.2 | 77 €/nuit |
| Shelford Lodge ★★ | Great Shelford | ★ 2.8 | 77 €/nuit |
| Premier Inn Cambridge - A14 J32 ★★★ | Parc du Verger | ★ 4.7 | 91 €/nuit |
| Cambridge Belfry Hotel & Spa ★★★★ | Cambourne | ★ 4.1 | 92 €/nuit |
| Regency Guest House ★★ | Centre-ville de Cambridge | ★ 3.7 | 94 €/nuit |
| Rectory Farm ★★★ | Newnham | ★ 4.2 | 95 €/nuit |
| Travelodge Cambridge Orchard Park ★★★ | Parc du Verger | ★ 4 | 98 €/nuit |
| Turing Locke Cambridge ★★★★ | Castle | ★ 4.4 | 100 €/nuit |
| Cambridge Bar Hill Hotel, BW Signature Collection ★★★★ | Longstanton | ★ 3.8 | 100 €/nuit |
Cambridge is one of the most compact and walkable university cities in England. The historic core, built around 31 colleges, stretches less than two kilometres from the railway station to the River Cam, which means your choice of neighbourhood has a real impact on how much time you spend walking versus exploring. Punting on the Backs, cycling past King's College Chapel and browsing the Fitzwilliam Museum are all pleasures best enjoyed when your hotel is nearby.
Beyond the obvious academic prestige, Cambridge has a genuine city rhythm: independent cafes on Mill Road, a covered market that has traded since the Middle Ages, and a tech and biotech scene that keeps the city energetic year-round. Accommodation ranges from design-led city-centre hotels to practical chain options near the station or out in the satellite town of Cambourne, so there is a realistic choice for most budgets.
Which area to stay in Cambridge?
- City Centre (including Trumpington Street corridor): The prime location for first-time visitors and those without a car. Colleges, the market, the Fitzwilliam Museum and the River Cam are all walkable. Wilde Cambridge City Centre and The Hobson Cambridge By Adina are both positioned here, making them ideal if you want to step out straight into the sightseeing.
- Petersfield: The neighbourhood immediately east of the railway station, about a 15-minute walk from the colleges. Practical for early trains and late arrivals. Ibis Cambridge Central Station and Clayton Hotel Cambridge are both located here, covering budget and mid-range needs with solid transport access.
- Chesterton: A low-key residential area north of the city centre, bordering the river. It retains a local, unhurried character and is served by frequent buses into town. The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton, sits here, appealing to travellers who want calm without being far from the action.
- Cambourne: A modern planned settlement roughly 12 kilometres west of Cambridge, best suited to drivers or those attending business parks nearby. Cambridge Belfry Hotel & Spa and Holiday Inn Express Cambridge West Cambourne offer more space and lower prices, but the city centre requires a car or the guided busway service.
- Mill Road and Romsey Town: A lively, multicultural stretch south-east of the station known for independent restaurants, bakeries and bookshops. Not a major hotel hub, but a useful area to know for dining and a sense of everyday Cambridge life away from the tourist circuit.
Good to know
- Book early around graduation and May Week: Cambridge fills up significantly in late May and mid-June when university ceremonies and events dominate the calendar. Prices spike and availability drops weeks in advance, so securing accommodation two to three months ahead is sensible during those periods.
- Arrive by train if you can: Cambridge station has direct services from London King's Cross (around 50 minutes) and London Liverpool Street (around 80 minutes). The station sits in Petersfield and is connected to the city centre by frequent buses, taxis and a straightforward 20-minute walk along station road.
- Cycling is genuinely useful: Cambridge has one of the highest cycling rates in the UK. Many hotels offer bike storage, and several rental shops operate near the station and city centre. A hire bike lets you reach outlying colleges, the Botanic Garden and riverside paths far faster than walking.
- Cambourne requires planning: If you opt for a hotel in Cambourne for the lower rates, factor in the Park and Ride or guided busway journey. The busway runs regularly but adds 20 to 30 minutes each way, which adds up over a multi-day visit.
- Autumn and spring offer the best balance: July and August bring the largest crowds and higher prices. Late March through May and September through October deliver pleasant weather, fewer tourists and more manageable rates, while still giving full access to college grounds and gardens.
What to know about hotels in Cambridge?
What is the best area to stay in Cambridge for sightseeing?+
The city centre is the most convenient base, putting the main colleges, the River Cam, the Fitzwilliam Museum and the covered market within easy walking distance. Petersfield, just east of the railway station, is a practical alternative that adds only 15 minutes on foot and tends to offer lower nightly rates.
How do you get from Cambridge Airport to the city centre?+
Cambridge does not have a commercial passenger airport. Most visitors fly into London Stansted (around 30 kilometres south, with direct rail connections to Cambridge in about 30 minutes) or London Heathrow and Gatwick (connected via central London or National Express coaches). Always check onward transport from whichever airport you use.
What is the best time of year to visit Cambridge?+
Late spring (April to early June) and early autumn (September to October) are widely considered the sweet spots: the weather is mild, the university is in full term, and the summer crowds have not yet peaked or have already thinned. Avoid late May and mid-June if you are sensitive to higher prices caused by graduation events.
What is the typical budget for a hotel in Cambridge?+
Based on available options, budget-conscious travellers can find three-star hotels from around 95 to 109 euros per night, particularly in Cambourne or near the station. Mid-range four-star hotels in or near the centre typically run from roughly 184 to 216 euros per night. Booking in advance and avoiding peak graduation weeks helps keep costs lower.
Is Cambridge easy to get around without a car?+
Yes, especially if you stay in the city centre or Petersfield. The central area is compact and flat, making walking and cycling the dominant modes of transport. An extensive bus network covers the wider city and surrounding villages. A car is primarily useful if you are staying in Cambourne or plan to visit the Norfolk or Suffolk countryside.
Plan your stay in Cambridge
Tell us your wish, your dates and your budget. Charlize puts together hotels, activities and tables in one conversation.