University of Cambridge Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the University of Cambridge. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Walking Tour of Cambridge

• Private 2-Hour Cambridge Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide

• Former Student's Cambridge Colleges: An Outdoor Audio Tour

• From London: Oxford and Cambridge University Town Tour with Guide

• Cambridge's History & Secrets with Self-Guided Walking Tours

Most of the University of Cambridge's outdoor spaces and grounds are free to explore on your own without a reservation or ticket purchase, though stepping inside some of the colleges will cost you. King's College charges £17 for adult entry on weekdays and £18 on weekends, with discounts for students, children, and early bookers. Walking tours of Cambridge start at around US$14, while private walking tours cost closer to US$102.

Yes, the University of Cambridge is worth visiting for its medieval architecture, manicured grounds, and the local favorite way of getting around, punting on the iconic River Cam. A guided walking tour is the best way to get context on the colleges and their history, while a pole-propelled punt along the river offers a completely different perspective on the historic architecture.

Per one customer who booked the Private 2-Hour Cambridge Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide, "We had a wonderful private walking tour of Cambridge with Sibylle. As an alumnus of the college, she shared the school's history along with interesting and fun anecdotes of her time there. She was very knowledgeable, and also warm and charming. We highly recommend this tour!"

Cambridge University tours include a guide to give you the lowdown on the university, along with visits to key campus sites. King’s College and King’s College Chapel are usually seen, along with Trinity College and Wren Library. As many colleges are by the River Cam, riverfront views are covered, too.

Yes, it depends on who you book your Cambridge University tour with, but student discounts are often available. For example, King's College tours or the Cambridge University alumni-led tours both often offer student discounts for school-age students (ages five to 17 years old). Discounts for university students are rarely offered.

Yes, photography and filming are allowed during Cambridge University tours with a few caveats. Visitors are allowed to take photos in areas of the colleges where tourists are permitted to go, if they’re intended for personal, non-commercial use. Tripods are a no-go, and flash photography isn’t allowed in the chapels.

Most Cambridge University tours last around 1.5 hours, although many tours now include extra options, such as walks around the historic city streets or punts down the River Cam. If you have a busy schedule, aim to leave around half a day free to cover calmer logistics and a college tour.

Sometimes colleges are closed in May or June when there are exams or end-of-year balls taking place. Aside from this, a good time to go is between July and September when the students are away, and the weather is generally warm and sunny. Aim for a quieter weekday if you can.

There aren’t parking lots provided for touring visitors, but there are places to park near the Cambridge University campuses. The closest car park to King’s College is at the Grand Arcade on Corn Exchange Street, while a cheaper option (within a 15-minute walk) is the car park at Queen Anne’s Terrace.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the University of Cambridge. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Cambridge:

• River Cam

• Queens' College

• King's College Chapel

• King's College

• Trinity College

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Cambridge.