Commuting from St Ives to Cambridge

Did you know it’s quicker to drive from St Ives to Cambridge than it is from Cherry Hinton to Cambridge?

With the amenities, stunning setting, and far more reasonable property prices of St Ives, it makes you wonder why so many tolerate the hassles of living in Cambridge.

In this guide we’ll cover how easy it is to commute from St Ives to Cambridge by car, or with the simplicity and convenience of the Guided Bus into Cambridge and also Addenbrookes/Royal Papworth Hospital.

Is St Ives a good place to live for commuters?

Absolutely!

Many are surprised at how much St Ives has to offer – cafes, restaurants, shops, parks, and amazing river walks.

In 2025 a family house in St Ives may cost £300k, which is less than half the cost of a flat in Eddington or equivalent house in the Cambridge area.

Imagine the money you would save from living in St Ives!

You can also enjoy the River Great Ouse without being pestered to go on a punt.

With fast access to Cambridge and its key employment hubs, St Ives is a great choice for professionals working in the city or at Addenbrooke’s and Papworth Hospitals.

Let’s take a look at commuting to Cambridge and the Biomedical Campus by both car or guided bus:

Commuting from St Ives to Cambridge by Car

Driving from St Ives to Cambridge is an easy option, but as parking can be expensive it’s worth considering the Park & Ride on Maddingly Road (about 25 minutes) if your place of work does not offer free parking.

The journey via the A14 and Huntingdon Road into central Cambridge typically takes 30 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Science Park can be reached within 25 minutes even during peak times, but keep in mind traffic can build up as you reach the Science Park junction on the A14.

If you opt for the Park & Ride, you will also find it a pleasant 20 minute walk into central Cambridge on a sunny day (or less than 10 minutes by bicycle).

Returning to St Ives during peak times can get busy on the last leg into St Ives over the Harrison Road bypass. It’s a known bottleneck, but if you live south of the river in St Ives or Hemingford Grey you can miss most of the traffic and still be in walking distance to St Ives.

Commuting from St Ives to Cambridge by Guided Bus

The Guided Busway offers you a very direct and painless route from St Ives to Cambridge.

You can also benefit from the Guided Bus if you want to reach Addenbrookes and Royal Papworth Hospitals which we’ll discuss shortly.

Many residents of St Ives have relocated from Cambridge to take advantage of cheaper rent and property prices, and the Guided Bus can mean it’s simpler to commute to Cambridge from St Ives than many areas around Cambridge.

Journey times typically are as follows:

• St Ives to Cambridge city centre (Drummer Street) – Approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the time of day and specific service. The bus can get busy at peak times.
• St Ives to Cambridge Science Park – Around 20 to 30 minutes.

Frequency of services

Buses run frequently throughout the day with services roughly every 10 minutes during peak times, and at least every 30 minutes off-peak.

The Guided Bus is mostly reliable.

The main services include:

• Route A (or the “A Bus”) – Serves Cambridge city centre and Addenbrooke’s/Royal Papworth Hospitals.
• Route B – Travels via Orchard Park to Cambridge city centre.
• Route C – Travels to Science Park and central Cambridge.

Advantages of the guided busway

Traffic-free route – Avoiding traffic is a wonderful thing, and the guided buses travel on a dedicated track for most of the journey into Cambridge.

Comfort and reliability – The buses are modern and comfortable, and services are regular. Just keep in mind they can get busy during peak times.

Integrated travel – Keep in mind the guided bus connects seamlessly with park and ride and dedicated cycle paths if you need to continue your journey.

Commuting from St Ives to Addenbrookes Hospital / Royal Papworth Hospital / Cambridge Biomedical Campus by Guided Bus

For those commuting to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, including Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Royal Papworth Hospital, the Guided Busway is a convenient option if you’re happy with the slightly longer commute time of around 50 minutes

Many residents of St Ives take advantage of the guided bus to the Biomedical Campus from St Ives.

Journey times are typically:

• St Ives to Addenbrooke’s Hospital – Approximately 50 minutes on direct services.
• St Ives to Royal Papworth Hospital – About 50 to 55 minutes.

With regular services and a dedicated busway route, the guided busway is a practical choice for hospital staff and visitors alike.

Still trying to decide if St Ives is right for you?

If you’re considering moving to St Ives, commuting to Cambridge really is straightforward whether you drive or use the Guided Busway.

With regular services, comfortable buses, and direct routes, public transport remains one of the best commuting options in Cambridgeshire.

Have you used the Guided Busway or driven to Cambridge for your daily commute? Let us know your experience in the comments below!