First Class train travel from London to Cambridge
Thinking about taking the train to Cambridge in style? Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, First Class train travel from London to Cambridge is certainly worth it. With a fastest journey time of 1h 13m, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy all the perks that come with First Class train travel.
In this guide to travelling from London to Cambridge in First Class, we'll show you what to expect from start to finish, including the First Class lounge, what to expect onboard and how to buy cheap First Class train tickets with us.
Which train companies offer First Class travel from London to Cambridge?
There are two train companies in the UK that offer direct First-Class train travel from London to Cambridge.
Great Northern
Fastest route | 2 trains per hour | 1h 13m avg journey time | Direct
| Departs from | London Kings Cross |
| Arrives into | Cambridge |
| First Class lounge | Not available |
| Food and drink | Not available |
| Free WiFi | Yes |
Find out more about travelling First Class with Great Northern
Thameslink
Slower route | 2 trains every hour | 1h 14m avg journey time | Direct
| Departs from | London Euston |
| Arrives into | Cambridge |
| First Class lounge | Not available |
| Food and drink | Not available |
| Free WiFi | Yes |
The Great Northern First Class experience
Thinking of travelling First Class from London to Cambridge with Great Northern? Here's a taste of what you can expect from before you even board to the train to arriving into Cambridge.
Before you travel: Kings Cross station
If you’re travelling First Class with Great Northern from London to Cambridge, you won't be able to access LNER's First Class lounge, however, there are plenty of shops, cafes and even a pub to spend time in before you travel. These include:
- Parcel Yard Bar
- M&S Simply Food
- Leon
- Costa
- WHSmith
- Hotel Chocolat
- Oliver Bonas
On the train: What to expect from Great Northern First Class
Where are they on the train?
You'll find the First Class carriage on Great Northern services at the front of the train.
How are the seats arranged?
Similar to travelling in Standard Class, you can either sit at a table of 4 or at 2 seats next to each other.
What extra benefits does First Class offer?
There isn't a huge amount of difference when travelling First Class compared to Standard Class on Great Northern trains. Although there's no onboard food and drinks service, the seats are certainly comfier.
Book First Class tickets from London to Cambridge with Great Northern
Ready to book and enjoy the First Class experience? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!
The Thameslink First Class experience
Thinking of travelling First Class from London to Cambridge with Thameslink? Here's a taste of what you can expect from before you even board to the train to arriving into Cambridge.
Before you travel: St Pancras International station
If you’re travelling First Class with Thameslink from London to Cambridge, you won't be able to access the First Class lounge at St Pancras, however, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops and bars to enjoy before your journey, including:
- Starbucks
- Yo! Sushi
- Searcys Brasserie & Champagne Bar
- The White Company
- WHSmith
- Joules
- Boots
On the train: What to expect from Thameslink First Class
Where are they on the train?
When available, you'll usually find the First Class seating at the front of Thameslink trains.
How are the seats arranged?
The seating layout in First Class is the same as Standard, you can either sit at a table of 4 or 2 seats next to each other. There are fewer seats in First Class than Standard, so it feels much more spacious.
What extra benefits does First Class offer?
There aren't too many added extras when travelling First Class compared to Standard Class on Thameslink. There is currently no onboard food and drink service, but you can enjoy comfier seating.
Find out more about Thameslink First Class.
Book First Class tickets from London to Cambridge with Thameslink
Ready to book and enjoy the First Class experience? Start a search in our Journey Planner today!
Arriving at Cambridge station
Although there isn't a First Class lounge at Cambridge station, you'll still find plenty of facilities around the station including toilets and a Marks and Spencers.
The station is centrally located one mile southeast of the city centre, so it's only a short walk from the old university city with its galleries, museums, and architecturally stunning colleges. This means you're perfectly placed to start exploring straight away. Just off Station Road is Hills Road, a busy street packed with bustling pubs and restaurants. Winding cobbled streets lead to the town centre, where chic designer shops meet medieval spires and rolling lawns, alongside the waters of the River Cam.
How to buy cheap First Class train tickets from London to Cambridge
There are a number of ways you can get cheap First Class train tickets from London to Cambridge, without paying over the odds. Our top tips for saving money on First Class train tickets are:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets for travel during Off-Peak hours (anytime outside of Monday – Friday rush hours) are normally cheaper, plus the trains are usually quieter too.
Book in advance
Great Northern and Thameslink release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks before the departure date, usually at their cheapest price. So, if you can, planning ahead is a great way to save.
Use a Railcard
There are several Railcards in UK you can use to save up to 1/3 on First Class train tickets. Check out which one you might be eligible for and buy online on our Railcards page.
Search for split tickets
‘Splitting’ your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start a search for First Class train tickets from London to Cambridge in our Journey Planner at the top of the page – you won’t regret it!
Want to find out more about First Class train travel?
London to Cambridge isn't the only First Class train travel guide we've got for you. Why not check out some of the other popular routes and train companies in the UK and Europe offering amazing First Class train travel.