Cambridge from the water

Cambridge Punting Tours

Glide below the Bridge of Sighs, past King’s College Chapel and through the riverside gardens of the Backs. Cambridge punting tours put a chauffeur on the pole so you can follow the stories, watch the architecture unfold and choose the river experience that fits your day.

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Independent guidance · Exact price bases · Current booking checks

Traditional punts travelling beside riverside colleges on the River Cam

Glide Cambridge

See the Cambridge hidden behind the streets

From the pavement, the colleges can feel enclosed by gates and walls. From a punt, their lawns, libraries and bridges line up along the Cam. A chauffeur points out the details as the boat passes beneath stone arches and opens onto views of King’s College Chapel that the streets never quite reveal.

Choose a shared tour for live commentary, a private boat for your group’s conversation, or self-hire when learning to steer is part of the fun. The walking-and-punting option suits a first visit wanting student stories and city landmarks before the river.

Find your River Cam fit

Choose how you want Cambridge to unfold

Choose the experience first: a shared seat, a student guide, a private boat or the pole in your own hands. Then read the per-person or whole-group price beside it.

Prices and availability checked 28 October 2026. Confirm the latest price on the booking page.

For a classic first punt

Chauffeured College Backs Tour

Operated by Let's Go Punting

From £25 GBPper group up to 2

45–50 minutes with chauffeur commentary
King’s College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and seven colleges
Cushions and blankets, with umbrellas when needed

Check in at La Mimosa Landing Stage and arrive promptly for the pre-booked departure.

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For shared comfort

Shared Guide Tour from Jesus Green

Operated by Rutherford's Punting Company

From £16 GBPper person

About 50 minutes through the College Backs
Raised seats, tables, blankets and umbrellas
Seven colleges and major bridges named

Not suitable for non-swimmers or people with motion sickness. Arrive five minutes early.

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For student-led stories

University Student-Guided River Tour

Operated by Granta Moorings Cambridge

From £24 GBPper person

About 50 minutes over one mile
Eight colleges and nine bridges described
University-student guide and local insight

Starts at Granta Moorings. Follow the booking confirmation.

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For your own row on a shared boat

Shared Chauffeured Punting Tour

Operated by Traditional Punting Company

From £25 GBPper group up to 2

A private row or section for your party within a shared punt
Professional commentary through the College Backs
Raised seating and supportive cushions

Check the exact duration, capacity, meeting point and access.

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For refreshments on board

Guided River Cam Punting Tour

Operated by Alumni Tours

From £30 GBPper person

Eight colleges and bridges described
Cushions, blankets and umbrellas
Bring your own food or refreshments

Meet at Scudamore’s Mill Lane five minutes early. Check weather and access notes.

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For a group of up to three

Classic Cambridge Chauffeured Punt

Operated by Scudamore's Punting Company

From £81 GBPper group up to 3

Chauffeur and live historical commentary
King’s College Chapel and the Mathematical Bridge
Blankets and umbrellas included

Check the price basis, group size, meeting point and inclusions before booking.

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More punting tours to compare

Private or Shared Guided Punting

Scholars Punting Cambridge

From £29 GBPper group up to 3

A guided College Backs trip with Cambridge stories, comfortable seats, cushions and blankets. Shared and private options may be available. Confirm the selected format and live duration at checkout.

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English Punting Tour with Student Guides

We Are Cambridge Ltd

From £28 GBPper person

A student- or local-guided trip from Granta Moorings beside Darwin College, with two additional sights and multilingual support on request. Confirm the participant basis, and request blankets, umbrellas or language support in advance.

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Bridge of Sighs Punting Tour

Rutherford's Punting Company

From £149 GBPper group up to 12

A chauffeur-led College Backs journey past eight bridges, the Wren Library and King’s College Chapel. Shared seating or a private boat may be available. Confirm the exact live option and price at checkout.

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What changes on the day

Four choices that change the hour on the Cam

Most central tours follow the College Backs. What changes is who shares the boat, who tells the story and who takes the pole.

Share the boat or keep it

A shared punt is an easy way onto the river. A private punt keeps children, friends or family together and leaves room for questions.

Choose the voice you want

University-student guides bring student life and local experience into the commentary. Professional chauffeurs centre the colleges, bridges and history while handling the boat from start to finish.

Read the price as written

A fare for one passenger is not the same as a total for two, six or twelve. Keep the capacity beside the amount.

Start at the right landing stage

La Mimosa, Jesus Green, Granta Moorings and Mill Lane are different starts. Save the confirmation and allow time to reach the named stage.

Along the Cam

Let the College Backs arrive one view at a time

A willow opens onto King’s College Chapel, a stone bridge closes overhead and a chauffeur’s story gives the next building a name. The pleasure of the punt is having time to notice the sequence.

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Traditional punts moored below King's College Chapel at sunset

A chauffeur steering a wooden punt from above

A family group travelling in a chauffeured punt on the River Cam

A chauffeured punt passing riverside houses and gardens

A chauffeur guiding four passengers along a tree-lined stretch of the Cam

Before you go

Make the landing stage the easy part

Settle the exact start, departure time and weather plan before you reach the river.

Use the named landing stage

Your booking confirmation gives the current start. La Mimosa, Mill Lane and Granta Moorings are not interchangeable.

Protect the departure time

Some tours ask you to arrive five minutes early, and late arrival can mean a missed departure. Leave a margin for crossing the city centre.

Dress for changing weather

Tours may continue in safe rain. Wear practical shoes and layers, and check whether blankets or umbrellas are included.

Check access before booking

Boarding a punt differs from joining a walking route. Contact the provider if anyone needs help with a transfer, carer or mobility arrangement.

Keep planning

Let the next question shape the day

Compare the basis

Cambridge punting prices

Separate per-person seats from whole-boat and self-hire totals.

Explore →Take the pole

Self-hire punting

Choose an active hour with tuition and group responsibility.

Explore →Keep the boat

Private punting

Compare two whole-boat choices for groups up to 12.

Explore →Add the streets

Walk and punt

Connect a university walk with a later chauffeured journey.

Explore →Arrive prepared

First-time punting

Settle format, clothing, timing and meeting-point questions.

Explore →Know the Backs

Colleges and bridges

Understand the route without promising every sight on every boat.

Explore →

From recent guests

What guests noticed on the featured tour

These six reviews belong to the featured Chauffeured College Backs Tour. Guests mention knowledgeable guides, comfortable travel and College Backs views.

Review of Chauffeured College Backs Tour

★★★★★

Paola called the trip an essential Cambridge experience and strongly recommended reserving it in advance.

Paola · Mexico · 2026-10-04

Review of Chauffeured College Backs Tour

★★★★★

Kevin enjoyed the outing and particularly valued the guide's knowledge.

Kevin · United Kingdom · 2026-09-04

Review of Chauffeured College Backs Tour

★★★★★

Carolyn found the guide both entertaining and impressively knowledgeable.

Carolyn · United Kingdom · 2026-08-15

Review of Chauffeured College Backs Tour

★★★★★

Nigel felt the guide made the experience and recommended adding a punt to a Cambridge day out.

Nigel · United Kingdom · 2026-07-08

Review of Chauffeured College Backs Tour

★★★★★

Emily described a calm morning journey with comfortable seating, clear history and thoughtful answers to the group's questions.

Emily · United States · 2026-03-27

Review of Chauffeured College Backs Tour

★★★★★

Stephanie enjoyed seeing the colleges and bridges from the Cam and praised the guide's knowledge and humour.

Stephanie · United Kingdom · 2026-03-25

Useful answers

Before you choose

How long is a typical Cambridge punting tour?

Many current tours last about 45 to 50 minutes. Combined experiences and waiting arrangements take longer.

Will I see the Bridge of Sighs and King's College Chapel?

Several central tours include these landmarks. Check the chosen route because starts and itineraries differ.

Is a private punt better than a shared tour?

Private is useful when your group wants the whole boat and direct conversation with the chauffeur. Shared tours can be the simpler choice for one or two visitors. Compare the private options before deciding.

Can I steer the punt myself?

Yes. The featured self-hire experience includes a 60-minute rental, tuition and buoyancy aids for up to six people.

How should I compare Cambridge punting prices?

Keep per-person and per-group prices separate, then consider group size and inclusions. The price comparison explains the current bases.

Where does my tour start?

Current starts include La Mimosa, Jesus Green, Granta Moorings and Scudamore's Mill Lane. Follow the location in your booking confirmation.

Your River Cam plan

Choose the boat, then glide Cambridge

Choose by group size, guide and price basis. Once the format fits, the chauffeur can handle the pole and the College Backs can take the attention.

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