Punting in Cambridge Prices: Cheapest and Best Tours in 2025

To experience the most traditional activity in the city, you must go punting in Cambridge. It’s an experience that harks back to a bygone era.  Punting in Cambridge allows you to enjoy the natural surroundings at a slower pace than much of modern life. 

Indulge in unhurried meanderings along the College Backs, taking in historic buildings as you glide along the glistening river. As one of the top things to do in Cambridge, a visit to the city really isn’t complete without going punting on the River Cam. 

I’ve lived in Cambridge for over 30 years and with plenty of punting experience, I’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of punting in Cambridge. 

I’ll cover the Cambridge punting price, including my top tips for how to get the cheapest punting in Cambridge deal, the best punting tour options, special punting tours, what you’ll see and even how to punt yourself. So, let’s jump right in.

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Cheapest Punting Tour in Cambridge in 2025

Looking for prices and don’t have time to read the whole article? Here’s the cheapest punting in Cambridge in 2025.

Do You Need to Book Punting in Cambridge?

Whether you’re visiting Cambridge for a spa weekend, a special occasion or any other reason, it’s a popular destination, particularly for trips from London. During peak spring and summer seasons punting on the River Cam can get very busy.

If you haven’t got an advance booking for a chauffeured punting tour in Cambridge you’ll have to wait in line before you can get on a boat.

Save yourself the time and book your Cambridge river tour in advance. With the time you save you can explore some of the other top things to do on a day in Cambridge.

In winter or autumn, it’s less busy on the river so it’s not as necessary to book to go punting. However, the punting price in Cambridge on the day is likely to be higher if you don’t book in advance.

Cambridge Punting Price

Punting is just one of many reasons to visit Cambridge. The price of punting in Cambridge varies a lot and it can be expensive if you don’t know how to get the best deal.  You could find yourself paying a price of upwards of £200 for a private punting tour on the day, when there are much cheaper options available.

Cheapest Shared Chauffeured Punting Tour in Cambridge 

To get the best price for a shared chauffeured punting tour in Cambridge, in most cases it’s better to book online in advance. 

Cheapest Punting in Cambridge for Couples

Cheapest Punting in Cambridge for Small groups

Cheapest Punting in Cambridge for Individuals

If you’re on your own, don’t hire a private punting tour just for yourself, instead, book on to the the highly rated Shared Punting Tour of Cambridge. 

You’ll get to see the same sights, enjoy the same commentary and you won’t break the bank in the process. It’s a great option if you’re travelling by yourself and want to find cheap punting in Cambridge.

Private Punting Tour in Cambridge Cost

If you do want to splash out on a private punting tour of Cambridge, the cheapest deals are usually early morning/evening slots or weekdays, where you could find a price as good as £109 for two on an evening. 

Private Cambridge river tour prices in the summer season are likely to be much higher if booked closer to the time.

Cheapest Private Punting in Cambridge for Large groups

Booking a private tour works out as good value for larger groups (more than 7 people).  A Cambridge private punting tour price can be as little as £109 for up to 10 people on a weekday (correct as at July 2024).

The cost of punting is higher at weekends. If you are a group then booking in advance is highly recommended.

An alternative money-saving option for a private tour if you’ve not booked in advance is to haggle on the day.

Licensed punt tour promoters can be found at the Quayside, Jesus Green and the Mill Pond, so discuss with them how you can reach a price that meets your budget. 

In low season you might just get a better price than online but that depends on demand, the weather and, of course, your negotiating skills in getting the cheapest deal.

Self-Punting in Cambridge

My best-kept secret to get the cheapest Cambridge punting price is to hire a boat and punt yourself. 

For only £24 per hour, you can rent your own punt from Trinity College.  If you fill the boat with the maximum of six passengers that works out at just £4 per person.  It’s an unbelievably cheap price for punting in Cambridge but, having done it many times, I can confirm that it’s very much a genuine deal. 

Advance booking isn’t possible for this cheap price, instead you just turn up on the day, which means you may have to queue for a short while during peak season.  Half an hour or so waiting in the glorious Cambridge sunshine might be worth it though for such a great deal. 

Access is via Trinity College.  Walk down Garret Hostel Lane and turn right through the gates into Trinity College, just before Garret Hostel Bridge.  Trinity punts are available from the Friday before Easter until mid-October.

Other options available for self-punting in Cambridge include:

• Granta Moorings – from £36 per hour per 60 minutes (off-peak)
• Scudamore’s – from £42.50 per 90 minutes (off-peak)

Find loads more money-saving tips for Cambridge with my article on free things to do in Cambridge.

How to Punt

Once you’ve chosen self punting through Cambridge the fun begins.  Punting is really pretty simple. 

• In Cambridge, the punter stands at the back of the boat on the raised part. 
• Drop the punt pole into the river, give it a little push and away you go. 
• Move your hands to the top of the pole, lift it up from the river bed, letting the pole drag behind the punt, and repeat. 
• To steer, after the end of the pole has lifted up from the river bed, move it behind you to the left or right, like a rudder.

Should You Punt Towards Grantchester or Through Cambridge Centre?

There are two main routes for Cambridge river punting.  The most well-known option is to punt through the city centre of Cambridge, which offers stunning views of historic Cambridge Colleges as you float through a land that it sometimes feels like time forgot. On this route you’ll be able to get plenty of Instagrammable photos of Cambridge.

However, if you’re looking for a less busy route, head southwest towards Grantchester village.  You’ll pass Hodson’s Folly, Paradise Nature Reserve and end up at the gorgeous Grantchester Meadows. 

It takes approximately 3 hours to punt to Grantchester and back.  Tours are available which include time to explore the village or of course you can opt for self-hire punting and do it yourself. 

Depending on where you set out from, you may also have the fun of using the punt rollers near The Mill pub.  This is an ingenious device designed to get a punt out of one part of the river and down into the other side.

Best Punting in Cambridge

Self-hire punting in Cambridge offers the best price for punting and gives you the flexibility to go at your own pace.  However, it does require reasonable physical effort and has the jeopardy factor of whether or not one of your group will fall in (which might be one in the plus column for some). 

The best value self-punting station in Cambridge is Trinity punts.

If you prefer not to work up a sweat and want to hear all about the history of Cambridge University on one of the chauffeured punting tours, Rutherfords Punting provide a wonderful punting tour along the college Backs.

They have loads of positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 and consistently offer the best punting prices in Cambridge. Book in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.

Special Cambridge Punting Tours

For an extra special experience whilst in Cambridge, there are plenty of punt tour options available.  You can book Cambridge punting tours that also include walking tours, music, champagne or afternoon tea. 

There are also tours for special events, like Christmas carol services and fireworks.  You can propose on a punt, take a romantic night tour or even book a bat safari. 

Combine time on the river and historical Cambridge architecture with this brilliant punting and walking tour. You even have the option of adding on a visit to the famous King’s College as part of your tour. Find out where DNA structure was discovered and where King Charles studied on this fascinating tour.

What Else Can You do on the River?

Cambridge isn’t just about punting though. You can also hire kayaks, canoes and Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) to use for a trip down the River Cam.  Prices start from £20.50 for kayaks and SUPs and £36 for canoes from Scudamore’s.

Another popular Cambridge pastime, made famous by the annual Cambridge-Oxford boat race, is rowing. You’ll see plenty of rowers putting in the hours on the River Cam very early each morning.

If you fancy giving it a go yourself, you can join a practice session at the City of Cambridge Rowing Club. This unique Cambridge experience includes a chance to receive expert tips and get out on the river in an ‘eight boat’.

Do You Tip Punters in Cambridge?

There is no obligation to tip on a punting tour in Cambridge.  However, similar to other tours, if you’ve enjoyed the experience and wish to tip, around 10% would be appropriate. See my guide to UK tipping for a handy tip calculator.

What Can You See on a Punt Tour in Cambridge?

Whilst enjoying punting along the Backs on the River Cam, look out for these top sights:

• King’s College Chapel
• The Bridge of Sighs, St John’s College
• Clare Bridge – try to spot the sphere with a chunk removed and decide which of the apocryphal tales you believe as to the reason why.
• The Wren Library
• The Mathematical Bridge

There are also plenty of other things to see and do whilst on a Cambridge day trip.

How Much is Punting in Cambridge? 

The cost of punting in Cambridge can vary greatly, depending on the time of year, day of the week and whether you want a private or shared tour. Booking in advance is recommended to get the best price. Prices start from £15 for one person on a shared tour (correct as at summer 2024).

What are the Punting Cambridge Opening Times?

Cambridge punting tours typically start from 9 am and some companies will let you join a tour until dusk (early evening).

How Long is Punting in Cambridge?

Typical punting tours in Cambridge last for between 45 and 50 minutes.

Is Punting Free in Cambridge? 

Unfortunately punting in Cambridge is not free. However, there are some great prices available and this article will help you find the best punting prices in Cambridge.

How Many People Can Fit in a Punt?

The most common size of punt can fit six people in it.  This is the size boat you’ll be given if you choose self-hire punting in Cambridge.  However, for guided tours, there are much bigger boats which can take up to 12 passengers.

What Do You Take Punting?

Typical items to take punting are strawberries and a bottle of something fizzy.  So pack a picnic and clothes you don’t mind getting the odd drop of water on and you’ll be good to go.

Do You Get Wet Punting?

Seeing people fall into the River Cam is a pretty regular occurrence if you spend any time at all watching punting in Cambridge.  However, it’s often a result of trying to hang on to a punt pole that’s got stuck in the mud, whilst the punt carries on moving.  To stay dry, leave the pole where it is and use the oar that’s provided to turn your punt around and go back for the pole. Thankfully, punts are actually really hard to capsize due to their shape.

Can You Punt Alone in Cambridge?

Yes it’s possible to hire a punt in Cambridge for yourself, rather than join a shared punting tour. Trinity College punts are one of the best self-hire options for punting in Cambridge.

When is the Best Time to Go Punting in Cambridge?

Autumn and spring are the best seasons to go punting in Cambridge.  This is due to lower numbers of people on the river, giving you more of a laid-back experience. 

The summer season can get so busy that at points on the river punt traffic jams start to build up (yes, it’s a thing).  That being said, there are worse places to be stuck in traffic, so if you’re here in summer sit back and enjoy the entertainment of watching multiple people trying to manoeuvre punts out of a tight spot whilst not falling into the water below.  To get more room on the beautiful Cambridge river (and a better price) go punting during the late afternoon, at around 4 or 5 pm.

Winter punting is a different vibe.  Think crisp air, cosy blankets and mulled wine.  It’s one of the best winter activities to do in Cambridge.

More Cambridge Resources

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Cambridge At Christmas: A Guide

Cambridge Spa Day: 15 of the Best

Grantchester Village: A Day Out From Cambridge

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