COVID-19: Advice about travelling to the UK

If you are travelling to Cambridge from outside of the UK we advise all visitors to read the information from the UK Government about travel and quarantine restrictions:

• Provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK
• COVID-19: How to self-isolate when you travel to the UK
• COVID-19: Travel corridors (who is exempt from needing to quarantine)

Please be aware that this information is regularly updated so do check before you travel.

Visa Advice

Visiting Scholars

We advise all overseas visitors from outside of the European Union (EU) to check whether they require a visa to enter the UK. 

The UK Government Visa and Immigration website offers advice and guidelines on who may require a visa, and how they should apply for one. 

The University also offers specific advice for Visiting Scholars.  If you require further advice please contact the PA to the Director crimvisitors@crim.cam.ac.uk who will be able to assist you with any specific questions you may have.

Visiting Students

As above we recommend that all overseas visiting students check whether they require a visa to enter the UK.  The UK Government advice is the same as for visiting scholars.

The University's International Student Office have plenty of information on their website for visiting students, including a Visa Advice Service.  As well as specific advice for Visiting Students you are also welcome to contact the PA to the Director (crimvisitors@crim.cam.ac.uk), who will be able to assist you with any specific question you may have.

Accommodation

There is a wide variety of accommodation available in Cambridge to suits all budgets.  Cambridge is always busy throughout the year, so we recommend that visitors look into accommodation options well in advance of their visit dates. Some examples of place to find accommodation are listed below:

• The University Accommodation Service. You will need to register with the the Accommodation Service in order to access the list of places to rent.
• University Rooms.  They offer Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Cambridge Colleges.
• Citystay Serviced Apartments
• Your Space Cambridge
• Citybase Apartments
• Visit Cambridge. They offer a wide selection of Bed and Breakfast, hotels and guest houses.
• Meet Cambridge

Transport Links

Buses

There is a comprehensive bus service across the city and out to the surrounding villages (Citibus), as well as routes from the 'Park Ride' car parks on the edge of the city and the Guided Busway.  Timetables for these routes can be found on the Stagecoach website.

The ‘U’ Universal Bus service goes between Eddington (in the west of the city) - City Centre - Railway Station - Addenbrookes Hospital.  This is a discounted service for University members.  Each journey (whatever the distance) is £1 when showing your University ID Card, otherwise it is £2 each way.

Cycling

Cambridge is very bike friendly city.  Bikes can be bought, or hired, from the following places: 

• Kingsway Cycles (8 City Road, Cambridge, CB1 1DP).  They hire and sell second hand bikes, and do repairs.
• Rutland Cycling (Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JW). They only hire bikes.
• Rutland Cycling (The Grand Arcade, Corn Exchange Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QF). They only hire bikes.
• City Cycle Hire (61 Newnham Road, Cambridge, CB3 9EY). They only hire bikes.
• University Cycles (9 Victoria Avenue, Cambridge CB4 1EG). Sells secondhand bikes and does repairs. Opens: 8.30am (Mon – Sat). Closes: 5.45pm (Mon - Fri), 4.30pm (Sat).

Taxis

• Panther Taxis: Telephone 01223 715715
• Cambridge City Taxis: Telephone 01223 832832
• CamCab: Telephone 01223 704704

Trains

Cambridge has two train stations, with trains going from both stations to London, Stansted Airport, the Midlands and further afield.

• Cambridge Station, Station Road, Cambridge (in the city centre)
• Cambridge North Station, Cowley Road, Cambridge (on the north side of the city)

Medical Services

All visitors from oversees are recommend to organise travel insurance before traveling to the UK. 

The National Health Services (NHS) England website offers clear advice on what healthcare services overseas visitors may be entitled to use, and how much they may cost. Visitors from EU countries are currently advised to bring an EHIC card with them. The latest post Brexit advice for EU visitors will be published on their website.

GP surgery's in Cambridge.

Out of Hours GP cover

• Call NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation. You can also call NHS 111 if you're not sure which NHS service you need.
• Call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Addenbrooke's Hospital is the main hospital in Cambridge, and it has an A&E Department.

Things to See and Do

• Museums - the University has a variety of museums that run a diverse program of events throughout the year.
• The University Botanic Garden
• Kettle's Yard - this is University's modern and contemporary art gallery.

University Newcomers and Visiting Scholars

The University Newcomers and Visiting Scholars group is there to welcome those who are attached formally to the University, including their spouses, partners and family members. They run a program of activities each term, including a Tuesday Welcome Morning each week, and special events and trips.  All these details are available on their website.