Are walking tours and punting tours in different locations in Cambridge? Yes — here’s how to plan it
If you’re doing both a Cambridge walking tour and a River Cam punting tour on the same day, this is the #1 thing to know:
Yes — they have different check-in locations.
The good news: the two meeting points are close enough to walk between easily, as long as you plan a small buffer and check in on time.
Fast answer: the two meeting points (save this)
Walking tour meeting point: Outside Great St Mary’s Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PQ.
Look for a bicycle with a navy-blue umbrella labeled “Cambridge Walking Tours”.
Punting tour meeting point: By the river next to the Granta Pub, Granta Moorings, 14 Newnham Road, Cambridge CB3 9EX.
Look for the large sign that says “Granta Moorings”.
Check-in time: Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
If you haven’t booked yet, the simplest way to do both is our Cambridge Walking & Punting Tour Package.
If you only want punting, start here: Shared Punting Tour (English Commentary).
How far apart are the meeting points?
The walking and punting check-in points are about a 20-minute walk apart (around 1.77 km), depending on your pace and crowds in the city centre.
That means it’s totally doable to do both tours in one day — you just need to avoid scheduling them back-to-back with no breathing room.
The easiest way to plan your day (3 simple options)
Option A: Walking tour first, then punting (most popular)
This is the easiest flow for first-timers: you start in the city centre at Great St Mary’s, get your bearings, then finish with a relaxing punt.
Planning rule: Leave a buffer between tours.
Allow ~20 minutes to walk between meeting points
Arrive 10 minutes early for check-in
Add 10–15 minutes extra for photos, toilets, or busy streets
In practice, try to schedule your punting start time at least 45 minutes after your walking tour is due to finish.
Option B: Punting first, then walking (great on hot or crowded days)
If it’s peak season (or you’re arriving in Cambridge mid-day), starting with punting can feel calmer — then you do the walking tour when you’ve cooled down.
If you choose this order, still follow the same planning rule:20-minute walk + 10-minute check-in + a small buffer.
Option C: Book the package and let the schedule do the work
If you don’t want to think about logistics, our Cambridge Walking & Punting Tour Package is designed specifically to combine both experiences smoothly.
Day-of checklist (avoids 90% of problems)
Double-check which tour you’re doing first in your booking confirmation.
Save both meeting points in your phone maps.
Arrive 10 minutes early to the check-in point for each tour.
Use the “what to look for” cues:
navy umbrella + bicycle (walking), “Granta Moorings” sign (punting).
Plan a toilet stop before you check in — there are no toilets during the tours.
Travel light if you can (especially for shared tours).
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
1) Going to the wrong meeting point
Cambridge has multiple punting stations and lots of tour groups in summer. The key is to look for the exact identifiers:
2) Booking times that are too tight
Even though the walk is only around 20 minutes, Cambridge streets can be busy and you’ll often want to stop for photos.
A 45-minute buffer between tours keeps the day relaxed.
3) Arriving late
Tours run to schedule, so always build in extra travel time — especially if you’re coming from the train station, parking, or a Park & Ride.
Quick FAQ
Do I really need to check in 10 minutes early?
Yes — please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before your scheduled start time so check-in is smooth.
Where is the punting meeting point again?
By the river next to the Granta Pub: Granta Moorings, 14 Newnham Road, Cambridge CB3 9EX.
For a step-by-step guide, see : Cambridge punting meeting point (Granta Moorings).
Where is the walking tour meeting point again?
Outside Great St Mary’s Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PQ — look for the bicycle with the navy-blue umbrella labeled “Cambridge Walking Tours”.
Want the full punting overview?
If you’re still deciding between private vs shared, best time of day, and what you’ll see on the River Cam, read our complete guide: Punting in Cambridge UK: Your complete guide.
Written by a Cambridge guide at We Are Oxbridge.
