How To Spend 2 Days in Cambridge (on a Budget!)

Our ‘Summer in England’ itinerary was nearly complete when we noticed a full 2-day gap in our travel plans. We eagerly seized the opportunity to finally make our first trip to Cambridge, UK!

Ranking as one of the most prestigious places to visit in the world, Cambridge is a fantastic blend of culture and fun.

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The city is renowned for its stunning architecture, unique water activities, classic colleges, incredible museums and late-night revelry.

Unsurprisingly, it’s also known to be rather expensive. Always up for a money-saving challenge, we devised a perfect way to spend 2 days in Cambridge – on a budget!

Planning a Budget Cambridge Itinerary

When we started planning our weekend in Cambridge, we were dismayed to find that the most touted tourist spots require a high-dollar ticket.

Discouraged, but not deterred, we were intent on creating a budget-focused Cambridge 2-day itinerary.

We sought out free things to do, found economical alternatives to pricey attractions and dialed in on cheap eats. With a solid effort, we also found affordable accommodation.

For our 2-day Cambridge trip, we severely limited our sightseeing expenses. In fact, it became apparent that we could visit the highly acclaimed city without spending a dime on activities.

Instead of buying a ticket to the famous King’s College, we found a way to gain entry for free. Rather than hopping aboard a spendy punt boat tour, we found other entertainment along the river.

In the end, even though we planned a low-cost trip, we didn’t feel like we missed out on any of the fun!

The Best Way to Spend 2 Days in Cambridge

Our itinerary for Cambridge in 2 days showcases a fabulous way experience the city – all while keeping your budget in check!

Day 1: Essential Cambridge

Today you will get acquainted with Cambridge’s most historic attractions by exploring the city on foot.

Morning: Breakfast Buns

Start your day with a Chelsea Bun from Fitzbillies; it’s a Cambridge institution. The handmade currant buns have been a staple for students and locals since 1920.

Their signature pastry isn’t necessarily ‘cheap,’ so here’s a budget travel tip: Save a few pence by ordering yours to-go.

The Cake Shop (to the left of the original tearoom) offered the best buns during our visit (the ones from the coffee shop were dry and crumbly).

Mid-Morning: Free Walking Tour of Cambridge Sights

Embark on a Cambridge walking tour to see the city’s most dazzling sights. Use our Free, Self-Guided Route or join a tip-based tour (just be prepared to compensate your guide).

Marvel at the intricate exterior of King’s College. Wander the medieval, cobbled lanes – like Green Street and Trinity Lane. Admire the interior of Great St. Mary’s Church.

With time before lunch, visit the Wren Library at Trinity College; it’s an absolute gem. With advance planning, you could also opt to join an inexpensive, porter-led tour of the college grounds.

If the library is closed and the tour is full, check to see if the grounds of Trinity Hall are open to guests. The historic college has a stunning riverside perch that is perfect for watching punts.

Lunch: Cambridge Market

Tracing its roots to Roman times, Market Square was established during the Middle Ages and continues to be a bustling hub of trade to this day.

Vendors sell an array of goods – from art and plants to local products – but the reason to go at midday is for the food. Grab lunch from one of the kiosks dishing out delicious portions of international fare.

There are ample choices – like sizzling German sausages, fragrant Chinese noodles and slow cooked BBQ.

Personally, we preferred the falafel from King of Wraps. Laden with crisp vegetables and freshly cooked falafel, it absolutely hit the spot for £7!

There are a few tables at the market, but the ideal place to eat is along King’s Parade. Take a seat on the wall in the shadow of King’s College or find a spot on the lawn for an impromptu picnic!

Afternoon: Cambridge Architecture and Views

After lunch, continue your sightseeing tour. Wander along atmospheric Trinity Street, passing Trinity College Great Gate and Newton’s Apple Tree.

Follow the curving lane as it becomes St. John’s Street. Admire the red-brick entrance to St. John’s College and the unique Round Church across the street.

Now cross the River Cam and and follow Castle Street uphill to take in the skyline view from atop Castle Mound.

Late Afternoon: Cost-Free College Visits

Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting a few of the free-to-enter colleges. Some of our favorites are Magdalene College, Jesus College, Christ’s College, Emmanuel College and Pembroke College.

That said, don’t miss Peterhouse; it’s the oldest college at Cambridge University and the grounds are gorgeous! Just keep an eye on the time, as there’s much more on our must-see Cambridge list.

Mathematical Bridge (best viewed for free from Silver Street Bridge), the time-eating Corpus Clock (an odd modern marvel) and St. Bene’t’s Church (the oldest building in Cambridge) are top choices.

Early Evening: Evensong at King’s College Chapel

By late afternoon, get in line for the King’s College Evensong. It’s the best way to see the legendary chapel – and it’s soaring fan-vaulted ceiling – for no cost. Yep, it’s absolutely free!

Plus, it’s a chance to participate in a University of Cambridge age-old tradition. They have been hosting Evensong since the college was founded in 1441.

For the service, you will sit inside the exquisite chapel (which has exceptional acoustics) and listen to the sublime choir for a 1-hour performance. Check the official website for current schedules.

Evening: Cambridge History and Local Flavors

Ease into the night by hoisting a pint in a notable establishment: The Eagle.

The 17th century pub has long been popular with students and tourists – and even airmen during World War II. (You can find the notes they left on the ceiling in the back ‘RAF Bar’.)

The pub is also linked to ‘The Secret of Life,’ as Crick and Watson legendarily revealed their discovery of DNA while having lunch at the pub in 1953.

End your day in Cambridge with a memorable meal. Stay at the Eagle for a classic pub feast – or for a more budget-friendly dinner, grab a slice (more like a slab) from the locally owned Aromi Pizzeria.

Day 2: Cambridge Museums and Nature

Two of the things we liked best about Cambridge were the free museums and beautiful nature. You can spend Day 2 of your itinerary relishing both!

Morning: Local Bakery

For breakfast, select sweet or savory pastries from the family-run Cambridge Oven on Hills Road.

The artisan bakery uses recipes passed down through generations to create utterly divine baked goods. (We’re still talking about the buttery croissant!)

While we feel the fresh-from-the-oven treats are worth the splurge, there are more budget-friendly options. Tesco just across the street has cheap eats as does Gregg’s at the train station.

Mid-Morning: Best Free Cambridge Museums

Spend the rest of the morning wandering through one (or more) of the free museums in Cambridge.

Our top pick is the fabulous Fitzwilliam. The pinnacle of the University of Cambridge Museums, the venue houses a collection of more than 500,000 art pieces and artifacts.

We could have easily spent an entire day immersed in the relics from the ancient world and looking at masterpiece paintings.

Another free institution that is worth visiting is The Polar Museum, which details epic British expeditions. It’s small, but intriguing (and requires quite a bit of reading to make sense of it all).

More free spots include the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences (featuring fossils and rocks), Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (exhibiting Cambridge artifacts and the Haida Totem Pole) and Museum of Zoology (highlighting Darwin’s discoveries).

Lunch: Best Cambridge Sandwich Shop

Your midday meal on Day 2 is another take-away picnic adventure – but this one is from a local sandwich shop: Bread and Meat.

A big step up from an ordinary sarnie, Bread and Meat sandwiches are made from regional ingredients – and they make their sauces from scratch, too.

We recommend the Porchetta Ciabatta or the Philly Cheese Steak. Even though the sandwiches are a bit pricey, they’re large enough to share. Alternatively, pop into a grocery store for an affordable Meal Deal.

Either way, make your way to Christ’s Pieces to eat. The park was established in 1886 and is our favorite green space in the city center of Cambridge.

Afternoon: Fun along the Cam River

Snaking around town, the River Cam has been a source of navigation and entertainment for centuries. One of the prime free activities along the waterway is simply to walk beside it.

Wander along the riverside path south from Laundress Green to Coe Fen and Sheep’s Green, part of the nature reserve. Within minutes, you will find yourself in the middle of a bucolic meadowland where cows lazily graze!

Alternatively, amble through Jesus Green or Midsummer Common to the river and follow the path to the east. Along this section, you will find canal boats, fisherman and pretty parks.

The Plough Pub in the village of Fen Ditton is a popular destination point. However, if you want a pint along the way, we recommend The Engineer’s House where they pour beers from the local Calverley’s Brewery.

Punting on River Cam

One of the top things to do in Cambridge is to take to the water in a Punt Boat. The flat-bottomed boats are propelled by a Punter who uses a long pole to push and steer.

Punting is the best way to see the ‘backside’ of the colleges on the water (especially since The Backs green space at King’s College is now a ticketed area) – as well as the many bridges (including The Bridge of Sighs).

Tourists can hire a private boat, join a shared tour or rent a boat for a self-punting experience. Prices range from very expensive (for a private tour) to actually affordable (if self-punting with a group).

Reserving a boat online in advance is a recommended way to save money. If you don’t book ahead, haggling with the punters can save you some quid, too!

We, however, skipped partaking in this Cambridge ritual. Although the guides share information, much of what they spout is half-truths. Besides, we found it entertaining to just watch from the riverside!

Late Afternoon: Cemetery Creeps

Now navigate your way to the Mill Road Cemetery. A Cambridge hidden gem, the graveyard dates to the mid-1800s.

Walk along the paths between old, crumbling tombstones where nature is reclaiming the land. See if you can find the gravesites of any notable figures (respected scientists, mathematicians and even Nobel prize winners are interred here).

Make your way to the east side of the cemetery and find the passage through the stone wall that leads into the beer garden of The Cambridge Blue.

With more than 30 taps pouring real ales, craft beers and ciders, the pub has something for everyone (and pretty reasonable prices, too).

Evening: Cheap Eats

Cap off your trip with dinner on Mill Road. Lined with independent shops and eateries, it’s an excellent place to find a budget meal.

Noodles Plus regularly has a queue for their affordable dumplings (cash only) and Zis Piri Piri is popular for their specials on chicken platters and pizzas.

The Greek eatery, Hungrill, offers bang-for-buck with their massive gyros (which were the best we’ve eaten outside of Athens).

If nothing whets your appetite on Mill Road, find the neighborhood pub, Salisbury Arms. They serve craft beer by Brewpoint from nearby Bedford and offer great food deals throughout the week.

Cambridge Travel Logistics

We’ve outlined the best way to spend two days in Cambridge – but we have a few more tips on planning a low-cost trip.

How To Get There

The cheapest way to get to Cambridge from London is by bus. Check the fares and schedules on Flixbus; it’s our preferred coach company in Europe. Last time we looked, fares were under £10.

That said, traveling by train is quicker and not that expensive – especially if you book your tickets in advance. Use National Rail to check prices and times.

Where To Stay

Finding an affordable – yet decent – place to stay in Cambridge was one of the biggest conundrums of our trip.

In the end, we chose A & B Guesthouse for what we thought was a fair price and in a convenient location for a short visit. The no-frills room was small, but clean and the bed was comfortable.

Staying in a dorm room can be cost effective, especially for solo travelers. While you will most likely sleep in a single bed, some dorm stays include breakfast.

Find availability on University Rooms. For more money-saving advice, read our article on How To Book Top Hotels for Cheap.

What To Pack

We have a few final tips about what you will want to pack for your Cambridge getaway.

Comfortable Shoes: Pack durable travel shoes with a good sole for those cobblestone lanes and long walks.

Day Bag: We feel a versatile travel pack – like this one – is essential when out sightseeing.

Weather Gear: When in England, don’t forget your raincoat or travel umbrella – and even sunscreen in the summertime!

Travel Camera: We shoot with a Canon Rebel – it’s a stellar DSLR for budget travelers.

Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

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