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With Cambridge being the number one spot in the UK to go punting, it can be overwhelming to choose which company and tour type is the best option for you.
This is the ultimate guide to help you figure out which is the best option for you. For both quality and cheap punting tours, look no further.
Cambridge Punting Tours
Technically there are four different Cambridge Punting Tours on offer; so first off, it is worth knowing which one suits your needs best.
The most popular Cambridge Punting route is the ‘College Backs’ tour. This tour runs from either Quayside/Jesus Green or the Mill Pond. It doesn’t matter too much where you depart from as you will see the same sights, however down on Quayside there is a greater variety of punting operators. On the College Backs Punting Tour, you will see seven of the iconic Cambridge University Colleges and nine bridges. The reason this route is so famous is the majority of the mile-long stretch of river is only accessible by boat or by buying tickets to each individual college.
The second Cambridge Punting route is from Mill Pond to Grantchester Meadows, a very picturesque and popular route with the locals during summer. There is only one punting company, Scudamores, which offers self-hire punts up to Grantchester.
Next step: decide whether you would like to go on a guided punting tour or a self-hire. Each of them has its benefits; a guided tour will get you a chauffeur included in the price, plus a historical and cultural tour of Cambridge. On a self-hire, you can go at your own pace, however, it is surprisingly hard to navigate a punt and there’s no guide to tell you about the buildings and bridges that you pass.
Once you have decided whether to go on a guided punting tour (the most popular option) or not, you then need to decide whether a shared tour or a private tour is the best option for you.
Shared or Private tours for cheap punting
Shared tours are the cheapest way to go punting in Cambridge. You can book a row, half a boat, or three rows. Don’t worry about compromising on the quality of the experience. You will still see the same sights and receive the same guided tour. The only difference is that it is a lot cheaper if you are a small group.
Private punting tours are the perfect way to explore the College Backs with just you and those closest to you. The advantage of a private guided punting tour is that you have exclusive use of that boat for 50 minutes. Meaning, if you want to pause to take photos with the colleges in the background then you can. This can also end up being the cheapest punting option if you have 10-12 people in your group.
Researching the cheap punting options
The next stage, after you have decided what tour to take, is to RESEARCH. If you have your heart set on only punting one way down the river then the only company that can do that is Scudamores. However, you’ll pay the same price for half the tour. So, the best option is a guided return tour of the ‘College Backs’ with Let’s Go Punting.
On the surface, the difference between different punting tours offered is quite small. However, there is a difference in the finer details, i.e. the added extras, departure times, cancellation policy and price. Additionally, many companies on the river offer a 45-minute trip, whereas, with us, you get a 50-minute tour. We block out the whole hour for your experience. Because of this, our guides are in no rush and can spend time fostering a magical experience.
Price
Next, find the most bang for your buck. We pride ourselves on being one of the most affordable punting tour operators. Cheap punting is a priority. Our founders are the parents of two young children and therefore understand these difficulties. In 2017 we introduced Early Bird Tours. Early Bird tours depart before 11 am. These tours are the perfect way to explore the river at its quietest.
One of the best ways to find cheap punting in Cambridge is by BOOKING ONLINE. Our online tickets are heavily discounted compared to those bought in person. There are numerous advantages to booking online. It’s ideal when it comes to securing a departure time, allowing you to structure your day around your punting tour; larger options of departure times; larger options of seating arrangements; and no queuing.
If you do happen to come down on a quiet day you may be able to strike a deal but it’s always better to book online.
Discounts
You can find discounts online; the best place to look is the ticker banner at the top of the home page or on Google under ‘posts’.
We also offer an NHS discount (NHS10PUNT) or a carers discount (carer10).
When you book a punting tour with us, you will receive a free City Guide that will have discounts for various local businesses.
We also offer a 10% discount on walking tours booked via Stride.
Our Punting Prices in Cambridge
We are proud that we offer dynamic pricing structures to ensure that everybody can afford to go punting. Operating during three different seasons; Low; High; and Peak. This means that our prices do undulate to reflect the change in seasons however we still ensure that the pricing remains affordable. To look at our current pricing structures, and to find out how much it costs to go on a punt in Cambridge, there is a page on our website that you can check out. When it comes to cheap punting, we are the operators for you.
