Free parking
If Ely is your destination of choice, there is a wide range of free short stay and long stay car parks.
View a map of car parks via our explorer map
Getting Around
Once you’ve arrived in East Cambs, there are a range of options for getting around, whether you prefer your own pedal power, taking in the landscape on a train or bus, boating on the waterways or exploring the scenic routes by car.
Some journeys can be wonderful experiences in their own right.
Transport options
Road
East Cambs is well connected via transport routes, with the A10 running north-to-south, and the A142 providing access from London and other parts of the country via the A14, A10 and M11.
There is plenty of free parking in the district. Learn more on the East Cambridgeshire District Council website
Rail
If you want to explore parts of the district by rail, there are train stations in Soham, Littleport, Kennett, Dullingham and Newmarket. Cambridge, Peterborough, Norwich, London and Bury St Edmund’s are all easily accessible by rail.
Find more train information on the East Cambridgeshire District Council website
Walking and cycling
The compact nature of the district’s towns and city and the relatively flat topography of East Cambs more widely make it ideal for walking and cycling. There are plenty of wonderful walks and scenic cycling routes whatever your age or ability.
Boat
Discover East Cambs from a different perspective on its picturesque waterways including the River Great Ouse, the longest of several British rivers called “Ouse”.
Taxi
If you want a more direct and flexible way of getting around East Cambs, there is a host of taxi services available offering you the advantage of travelling wherever you want and whenever you want.
Bus
Bus services connect Ely with a number of the villages in its rural vicinity. You can buy a PlusBus discount price travelcard with your train ticket for unlimited bus travel around Ely.
Find more bus information on the East Cambridgeshire District Council website
View map
Accessibility
People with disabilities can park free of charge in all the District Council’s car parks for an unlimited period of time as long as:
- a valid blue (disabled) badge is displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle
- the registered disabled person is either driving or a passenger
- the vehicle is parked within a bay (not double yellow lines)
You can search for accessible places to go via the AccessAble website which gives you the accessibility information you need to work out if a place is going to be accessible for you. It also contains a list of accessible country walks and taxi services.
You can find information on disabled toilets via our map, and changing places on the District Council’s website.
Group travel
East Cambs welcomes groups of all sizes and ages whether it’s a coach party, a school trip, a get-together with friends or a family gathering. When visiting the district as a group it is likely that you will be coming in a coach or by train.
Coaches
Ely’s city centre can easily be reached via the A10 Cambridge – King’s Lynn and by following the brown visitor signs upon reaching your destination.
We encourage coach drivers to use the Drop off/Pick up point either in front of Ely Tourist Information Centre (Oliver Cromwell’s House, St Mary’s Street CB7 4HF) or in front of the Cathedral (The Gallery CB7 4DH). Please be aware that these bays are limited to a 15-minute stay. Public toilets are within close proximity to both drop off points.
Free coach parking is located at Ely City Football Club, Downham Road, Ely CB6 2SH which is approximately five minutes from the city centre and has a number of food outlets and toilets.
Trains
Discounts are often available when you book and travel as a group.
Greater Anglia GroupSave – 1/3 off Off-Peak fares for groups of 3-9 adults.
Great Northern GroupSave – 34% discount on Off-Peak travel if you’re travelling in a group of 3-9 adults.
Cross Country Trains – help finding the best deal on group train tickets for ten or more passengers.