Quick Summary
A London to Cambridge taxi typically costs £110–£150 for a standard saloon, covering the 55–65 mile journey in around 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours via the M11. London Airport Taxi is a TfL-licensed private hire operator (rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews) popular with university visitors, parents during term dates, conference delegates, and international students arriving at London airports. MPV, 7-seater, and 8-seater minibus options are available for families and groups with luggage.
At-a-Glance Answer (Fare Overview)
For most travellers heading from central London to Cambridge, a typical pre-booked taxi fare is £110–£150 for a standard saloon (up to 4 passengers with light luggage). Executive cars usually run £145–£190. Larger vehicles (MPV / 7 seater or 8-seater minibuses for 8 passengers) are typically £160–£210. If you're heading from a London airport directly to Cambridge, fares vary by airport — see the comparison table below. All fares are fixed at booking — no surge pricing, no hidden charges.
What Affects the Fare from London to Cambridge?
Cambridge is approximately 55–65 miles north-east of central London. The main route follows the M11 motorway, which runs almost directly between the two cities. Your fare is shaped by:
- Pickup location in London: Central London (King's Cross, Liverpool Street) is closest. West London, Heathrow, or south London adds mileage. Stansted Airport is actually the closest London airport to Cambridge.
- Vehicle type & capacity: Saloon, estate, MPV, 7 seater, executive cars, or minibus for 8 passengers.
- Drop-off in Cambridge: City centre, specific college, Science Park, Biomedical Campus, or surrounding villages like Girton, Grantchester, or Trumpington.
- Traffic & routing: The M11 is generally fast-flowing but the A14 junction near Cambridge and the approach into the city centre can be slow during rush hours.
- Time of day: Night, early morning, or public holiday bookings may carry a surcharge.
- Luggage: International students often travel with oversized baggage, boxes, and extra belongings at term start.
- Meet and greet: For airport pickups, your TfL-licensed driver waits inside the arrivals hall with a name board.
Tip: If you're arriving at a London airport and heading to Cambridge, check which airport is closest. Stansted is just 30 miles from Cambridge (£50–£75) — far cheaper than a transfer from Heathrow (£120–£160). See our Stansted to Cambridge guide for details.
Transparent Transfer Prices (Example Guide)
| Vehicle & Use Case | Seats | Luggage Guide | Example Fare (Central London) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon – best for couples/solo | 4 | 2 large + 2 cabin | £110–£150 |
| Estate – more luggage space | 4 | 3 large + 2 cabin | £120–£160 |
| Executive cars – premium comfort | 4 | 2 large + 2 cabin | £145–£190 |
| MPV / 7 seater – families & gear | 7 | 4–5 large + 4 cabin | £160–£200 |
| Minibus (up to 8 passengers) | 8 | Group & kit | £175–£215 |
London Airports to Cambridge: Which Is Cheapest?
If you're flying into London and heading straight to Cambridge, the airport you arrive at makes a big difference to both fare and journey time:
| Airport | Distance to Cambridge | Approx. Drive Time | Approx. Saloon Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stansted (STN) | ~30 miles | 35–50 min | £50–£75 |
| Luton (LTN) | ~45 miles | 50 min – 1 hr 15 min | £70–£100 |
| London City (LCY) | ~60 miles | 1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 40 min | £95–£130 |
| Heathrow (LHR) | ~68 miles | 1 hr 20 min – 2 hr | £120–£160 |
| Gatwick (LGW) | ~85 miles | 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 15 min | £140–£185 |
| Southend (SEN) | ~65 miles | 1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 30 min | £95–£130 |
Stansted is the clear winner for Cambridge-bound travellers — just 30 miles via the M11, with fares from £50–£75. If you have a choice of airport, flying into Stansted can save you £50–£100 on the ground transfer alone.
See full pricing on our Stansted, Luton, Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, and Southend price pages.
Taxi vs Train: Which Makes More Sense?
| Option | Cost (1 Person) | Cost for 4 | Journey Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked taxi | £110–£150 (total) | £28–£38 each | 1 hr 15 min – 2 hr (door to door) | Groups, families, luggage, door-to-door |
| Train (King's Cross) | £15–£45 | £60–£180 | 50 min – 1 hr 15 min | Solo travellers, light bags, advance bookings |
| Train (Liverpool Street) | £12–£35 | £48–£140 | 1 hr 15 min – 1 hr 30 min | Budget solo, Greater Anglia |
| National Express coach | £7–£18 | £28–£72 | 2–2.5 hr | Budget solo, no rush |
Key takeaway: The London–Cambridge train from King's Cross is fast and frequent (around 50 minutes). For solo travellers with light luggage, the train wins. For 3–4 people sharing a taxi, the per-person cost of £28–£38 is competitive with train tickets — and you get collected from your London address and delivered to a specific Cambridge college or address.
Cambridge University: Term Dates, Open Days & Graduations
Much of the taxi demand between London and Cambridge is university-related. Key dates to be aware of:
- Freshers' Week (early October): Highest demand for airport-to-Cambridge transfers, especially for international students arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted with heavy luggage. Book early.
- End of Michaelmas/Lent/Easter terms: Students heading back to London airports for holiday travel. MPVs and estates popular for transporting a term's worth of belongings.
- Open days (June–September): Parents and prospective students visiting from across the UK. Often combining a London stay with a Cambridge day trip.
- Graduation (June): Families travelling from London hotels to specific colleges for ceremonies. Smart executive cars are popular for these occasions.
- Conference season: Cambridge's colleges host conferences year-round. Business travellers often arrive via Heathrow or London City Airport.
How to Book
Booking takes less than a minute. Enter your London pickup address (hotel, airport terminal, or home) and Cambridge destination (college name, postcode, or address), choose your vehicle, and get an instant fixed quote. You'll receive confirmation with your driver's name, vehicle details, and meeting point. London Airport Taxi covers all six London airports — see pricing for Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend airports.
London to Cambridge: What to Expect on the Day
- Direct route: From central London, drivers head north via the A10 or A1(M) to join the M11 at Junction 8. The M11 runs directly to Cambridge, exiting at Junction 11 (Trumpington) or Junction 13 (Madingley Road). Total journey: 1 hr 15 min – 2 hours.
- From Heathrow: M25 east → M11 north. Adds 15–30 minutes compared to central London.
- Cambridge city centre access: Many colleges are on narrow, historic streets with restricted vehicle access. Your driver will drop you as close as possible — typically on Trumpington Street, St Andrew's Street, or the relevant college's main entrance.
- Door to door: Pickups from anywhere in London — Mayfair, Kensington, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch, or any residential address.
- Your driver: All drivers are DBS-checked, TfL-licensed, and experienced on the M11 corridor and Cambridge city routes.
Can I Go Cambridge to London Instead?
Absolutely. Cambridge to London transfers are equally popular. Whether you're heading to a London airport, catching a Eurostar at St Pancras, or returning to a London hotel, the same fixed fares apply. Pre-booking with your TfL-licensed driver is especially valuable during university term end dates when demand peaks.
Route Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Cambridge Park & Ride system means driving into the city centre is restricted. Taxis are exempt from most restrictions, giving you a door-to-door advantage over self-driving.
- Cambridge Science Park and the Biomedical Campus (Addenbrooke's Hospital area) are on the city's outskirts — these can be reached without entering the congested city centre.
- If visiting Ely (the cathedral city 15 miles north of Cambridge), ask about a multi-stop quote combining London → Cambridge → Ely.
- The A14 junction (where the M11 meets the A14 near Cambridge) has been improved but can still be busy during commuter hours. Allow extra time for Friday afternoon arrivals.
- For May Balls (actually held in June), executive cars and group minibuses can handle late-night/early-morning pickups — book well in advance as these dates sell out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from London to Cambridge?
A pre-booked saloon taxi from central London to Cambridge typically costs £110–£150 with London Airport Taxi, a TfL-licensed private hire operator rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews. The journey covers approximately 55–65 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours via the M11 motorway. For groups of 3–4 passengers, the per-person cost of £28–£38 is competitive with train fares — and you get door-to-door convenience with luggage handling. All fares are fixed at booking with no surge pricing, and include free cancellation and meet-and-greet at airports.
How long does a taxi take from London to Cambridge?
The journey typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours via the M11 motorway, depending on traffic and your exact pickup/drop-off locations in London and Cambridge. From central London (King's Cross area), drivers head north to join the M11 at Junction 8, then exit at Junction 11 (Trumpington) or Junction 13 (Madingley Road). Rush hour adds 20–40 minutes, particularly through north London and at the A14 junction near Cambridge. Off-peak journeys are typically at the faster end of the range.
Which London airport is closest to Cambridge?
Stansted Airport is by far the closest London airport to Cambridge — just 30 miles south via the M11, with a taxi fare of £50–£75 and a journey time of 35–50 minutes. This is less than half the distance of Heathrow (68 miles, £120–£160) or Gatwick (85 miles, £140–£185). If you're flying into the UK specifically for Cambridge, choosing a Stansted-routed flight can save you £50–£100 on the ground transfer alone. See our Stansted to Cambridge guide for detailed pricing.
Can I get a taxi to a specific Cambridge college?
Yes. London Airport Taxi drivers routinely deliver passengers to all 31 Cambridge University colleges — King's, Trinity, St John's, Pembroke, Jesus, Churchill, Fitzwilliam, Homerton, and every other college. Your experienced driver will navigate Cambridge's one-way system and restricted-access streets to get you as close as possible to the college porter's lodge. The fare is the same regardless of college, as all are within Cambridge city centre. Specify the college name when booking for the most efficient drop-off.
Can I book a taxi for university term start with lots of luggage?
Yes. International students and freshers often need estates or MPVs to accommodate multiple suitcases, boxes, and personal items. London Airport Taxi offers vehicles from standard saloons to 8-seater minibuses, all with professional, DBS-checked drivers. For Freshers' Week (early October), this is the busiest period for London-to-Cambridge transfers — book at least 1–2 weeks in advance to guarantee vehicle availability. Estates cost £120–£160 from central London, while MPVs cost £160–£200 for the extra luggage capacity.
What if my flight is delayed when arriving at a London airport?
Your driver monitors your flight in real time using live tracking systems and adjusts the pickup time automatically — there is no extra charge for flight delays. Upon landing, your TfL-licensed driver will be waiting inside the arrivals hall with a name board showing your name. All airport pickups include 30 minutes of complimentary waiting time from the actual landing time, giving you ample time to clear customs, collect baggage, and make your way through the terminal.
Is there a taxi from Cambridge to London airports?
Yes — return transfers are available to all six London airports with the same fixed-fare pricing. Cambridge to Stansted is the shortest and most popular at 30 miles (£50–£75), ideal for Ryanair and budget European flights. Cambridge to Heathrow (68 miles, £120–£160) and Gatwick (85 miles, £140–£185) are also popular for long-haul international flight connections. Your TfL-licensed driver will collect you from any Cambridge address and deliver you to the correct airport terminal with time for check-in.
Summary: Getting the Best Value
Whether you're a parent dropping off a fresher, an academic heading to a conference, or a family visiting for graduation, a pre-booked fixed-fare taxi from London to Cambridge provides door-to-door comfort for £110–£150 in a saloon. For groups sharing the cost, the per-person fare rivals the train — without changes, the Tube, or dragging suitcases through King's Cross. London Airport Taxi is TfL-licensed, rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews, and operates 24/7 with DBS-checked drivers. Book your London to Cambridge taxi online now for an instant fixed-price quote.
