Park Outside Cambridge and Ride Straight Into the City
Cambridge has five main Park & Ride hubs around the edge of the city. Therefore, most drivers can choose a site that matches the direction they are travelling from. Parking is free for most same-day visits, while frequent buses connect the hubs with central Cambridge. However, the best option still depends on your route, destination, return time, and length of stay.
HUBS
Cambridge Park and Ride: Quick Answer
Cambridge has five Park & Ride sites: Madingley Road, Newmarket Road, Trumpington, Babraham Road, and Milton. Because each hub sits on a different approach to the city, choosing the site on your side of Cambridge usually saves time.
Parking is currently free for up to 18 hours. Therefore, most day visitors only need to pay the bus fare. An adult return currently costs £4.50, while the published child return fare is £1.
Which Site Is Likely to Suit You?
Madingley Road is useful from the west. Meanwhile, Newmarket Road serves eastern approaches, and Trumpington works well from the south.
Babraham Road is convenient from the south-east and for Addenbrooke’s. In contrast, Milton is the natural comparison for drivers arriving from the north.
Madingley Road
A practical choice from the M11, A428, and western side of Cambridge.
Trumpington
Useful when you approach from the M11, A10, or southern Cambridge.
Milton
Convenient for the A14 and other northern approaches.
Cambridge Park and Ride Prices for 2026
For most same-day visitors, parking itself is free. Specifically, the current allowance covers stays of up to 18 hours. Therefore, the bus fare is normally your main cost.
How Can You Pay?
The current pricing page says fares can be bought from the driver using cash or contactless payment. In addition, normal Stagecoach products such as singles and day tickets may also be available.
Return tickets are valid only on the day of purchase. Consequently, overnight visitors should not assume that one return ticket covers the following morning.
All Five Cambridge Park and Ride Sites Compared
Every site reaches Cambridge, but each one serves a different side of the city. Therefore, your driving direction should usually be the first filter.
After that, compare the journey time and city-centre stop. As a result, you can avoid driving across Cambridge simply to reach a different hub.
Madingley Road Park & Ride
Madingley Road serves the western side of Cambridge. In addition, the current timetable lists Bridge Street at about six minutes and central Cambridge at around 12 minutes.
Newmarket Road Park & Ride
Newmarket Road serves eastern approaches. Meanwhile, the current timetable lists the Grafton area at about 10 minutes and central Cambridge at roughly 17 minutes.
Trumpington Park & Ride
Trumpington is useful from the south and M11 direction. Because the site is large and easy to recognise, it is also a popular choice for many day visitors.
The current central Cambridge journey is about 13 minutes. In addition, other bus and coach services use the area, which can help travellers making onward connections.
Babraham Road Park & Ride
Babraham Road works well from the south-east. Moreover, it serves Addenbrooke’s, so the site can be useful for hospital visits as well as city-centre trips.
Milton Park & Ride
Milton serves northern Cambridge. Therefore, it is a sensible option when you arrive from the A14 or nearby communities to the north.
Which Cambridge Park and Ride Should You Use?
From the West
Madingley Road is the first option to compare if you approach Cambridge from the west. In addition, its journey into central Cambridge is one of the shorter current Park & Ride trips.
From the East
Newmarket Road is better placed for eastern arrivals. Moreover, the route serves the Grafton area before continuing into central Cambridge.
From the South
Trumpington is a practical choice from the M11 and southern routes. Consequently, drivers can often avoid crossing the city to reach another site.
For Addenbrooke’s
Babraham Road is particularly useful for hospital trips. For example, the current short-hop return between Babraham Road and Addenbrooke’s is listed at £3.80.
From the North
Milton is the natural first comparison for northern approaches. Meanwhile, its current central Cambridge journey is listed at around 16 minutes.
Cambridge Park and Ride Bus Times
Services run throughout the day, although first and last buses vary by route and day. Therefore, check the exact timetable before planning an early start or late return.
Madingley Road PR1
Monday-to-Friday services currently begin from Madingley Road at 7:00am. After that, buses run frequently through much of the day.
The current weekday final listed return from central Cambridge is 8:10pm. Meanwhile, Saturday returns run later, with a final listed central bus at 8:30pm.
Newmarket Road PR2
Current Monday-to-Saturday departures begin at 7:00am. During the main daytime period, services run as often as every 10 minutes.
The final listed central return is currently 8:30pm. On Sundays and public holidays, however, the service begins later.
Trumpington PR3
Trumpington currently starts at 7:00am from Monday to Saturday. Therefore, it can work for many early city-centre visits.
The current journey into central Cambridge is about 13 minutes. In addition, the final listed central return is 8:30pm on Monday to Saturday.
Babraham Road PR4
Babraham Road begins earlier than several other routes. Specifically, the current Monday-to-Saturday timetable starts at 6:41am.
The final listed central return is 8:16pm. Therefore, evening visitors should keep that earlier finish in mind.
Milton PR5
Milton currently starts at 6:55am on the Monday-to-Saturday timetable. Its central Cambridge journey is listed at around 16 minutes.
The current final listed central return is 8:00pm. Consequently, Milton users should be especially careful when planning a late evening.
Cambridge Park and Ride Routes at a Glance
Use the table below for a fast comparison. Then, open the current route timetable before you drive.
| Site | Route | Approx. Time to Centre | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madingley Road | PR1 | 12 minutes | CB3 0EX |
| Newmarket Road | PR2 | 17 minutes | CB5 8AA |
| Trumpington | PR3 | 13 minutes | CB2 9FT |
| Babraham Road | PR4 | 25 minutes | CB22 3AB |
| Milton | PR5 | 16 minutes | CB24 6DQ |
Parking Longer Than 18 Hours
Free parking only covers the first 18 hours. Therefore, anyone staying overnight needs to pay the longer-stay charge.
Pay Within the First Hour
Longer-stay parking is not something you simply pay for when you return. Instead, the current instructions say payment should be made within the first hour of arrival.
RingGo is one payment method currently listed. Therefore, make sure you have the relevant site information before leaving the car park.
Returning the Next Day
Park & Ride return tickets are valid only on the day of purchase. Consequently, an overnight visitor may need separate single journeys.
Current single fares are listed at £3 each. However, always check the live fare page because prices can change.
Are Cambridge Park and Ride Car Parks Open 24 Hours?
The current site information lists the car parks as open 24/7. However, that does not mean buses operate all night.
Bus Hours Are Separate
Evening services finish at different times depending on the route. Therefore, check the last return bus before planning dinner, a concert, theatre, or another late activity.
Facilities Can Have Different Hours
Waiting areas and other staffed facilities may have shorter opening periods. As a result, an accessible car park does not guarantee that every on-site facility is open.
Vehicle Height and Larger Vehicles
Vehicle height can affect which Park & Ride site works for you. Therefore, check current restrictions if you drive a taller van, camper, or vehicle with roof equipment.
Most Sites Have Similar Limits
Several Cambridge Park & Ride sites currently list a 2.1-metre restriction. Newmarket Road, however, currently lists a slightly higher 2.2-metre limit.
Do Not Guess With a Tall Vehicle
A small difference in clearance can matter. For this reason, verify the exact site information before entering with a taller vehicle.
Accessible Cambridge Park and Ride
The main Park & Ride hubs provide disabled parking spaces. In addition, the bus network uses easy-access vehicles designed to accommodate wheelchairs and approved mobility scooters.
Accessible Facilities
Site facilities include accessible toilets at the main waiting areas. Moreover, indoor waiting spaces can make the transfer more comfortable during poor weather.
Mobility Scooters
If you plan to travel with a mobility scooter, check the current operator conditions first. Because space and approval requirements can vary, confirming the rules before arrival is useful.
Using Park and Ride With Children
Families can often save compared with long-stay city-centre parking. In addition, the current child fare is only £1 under the published conditions.
Children Under Five
Up to four children under five can currently travel free with each fare-paying adult. Therefore, the service can work well for a family day in Cambridge.
Pushchairs and Buggies
Buggies and pushchairs can be carried on the buses. However, busy services may require passengers to fold them when space is limited.
Concessionary Bus Passes
Pass rules depend on the authority that issued your concessionary pass. Therefore, check which scheme applies before travelling.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Passes
Current Park & Ride information says passes issued by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority can be used free throughout the day in the local area.
Other English Concessionary Passes
Other English National Concessionary Travel Scheme passes are currently accepted after 9:30am on weekdays and all day at weekends. Meanwhile, children travelling with the pass holder still need the appropriate separate fare.
Using Cambridge Park and Ride on Busy Days
University events, shopping weekends, roadworks, and city-centre events can increase demand. Therefore, allow extra time even when buses normally run frequently.
Avoid Relying on the Last Bus
An event may finish close to the final return service. Instead of aiming for the last possible bus, choose an earlier departure where practical.
Check Service Updates
The official Park & Ride website publishes service information. Consequently, checking the site on the morning of travel can prevent an avoidable surprise.
Park and Ride or Cambridge City Centre Parking?
Park & Ride works especially well for longer same-day visits. Because the first 18 hours of parking are free, the bus fare becomes the main cost.
When Park and Ride Makes More Sense
A full shopping day, sightseeing visit, or long city-centre appointment can suit Park & Ride. In addition, you avoid spending as much time searching for a central parking space.
When Central Parking May Be Easier
A central car park can still be useful for a short visit. For example, someone staying only an hour may value the shorter transfer more than the possible saving.
Therefore, compare the total journey rather than assuming one option is always better.
For central tariffs and car-park options, see our Cambridge City Centre Parking Guide .
Choose Your Cambridge Park and Ride in Five Steps
1. Start with your driving direction
First, choose the site on the same side of Cambridge as your approach. As a result, you can avoid unnecessary cross-city driving.
2. Check your final destination
Next, compare the central stop with the place you actually want to visit.
3. Work out your length of stay
A same-day stay under 18 hours gets free parking. However, longer visits need a separate parking payment.
4. Check your final return bus
Evening times differ between routes. Therefore, save the live timetable before leaving your car.
5. Save the correct postcode
Finally, navigate directly to your chosen hub rather than entering Cambridge city centre first.
Cambridge Park and Ride Checklist
Before Leaving Home
After Parking
Cambridge Park and Ride Map
Use the map below for general planning. However, the five hubs sit on different sides of Cambridge, so select your exact site before the final drive.
Useful Site Postcodes
Madingley Road is CB3 0EX, Newmarket Road is CB5 8AA, Trumpington is CB2 9FT, Babraham Road is CB22 3AB, and Milton is CB24 6DQ. Therefore, saving the correct postcode can prevent a needless detour.
Five hubs around Cambridge. Open Google Maps
Official Cambridge Park and Ride Links
Fares, timetables, and service notices can change. Therefore, use the official pages below for your final check before travelling.
Prices and Main Network Information
The pricing page is the best place to confirm bus fares and longer-stay parking charges. Meanwhile, the main Park & Ride site provides network updates and access to each route.
Route Timetables
Each route has its own timetable. Therefore, open the page for your chosen site rather than relying on a general estimate.