Quick Summary
A Stansted to Cambridge taxi typically costs £50–£75 for a standard saloon, covering the 28–30 mile journey in around 35 to 45 minutes via the M11. Stansted is the closest London airport to Cambridge, making it the natural choice for flights to and from the city. London Airport Taxi is a TfL-licensed private hire operator (rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews) offering fixed fares that include meet & greet at the arrivals hall, flight monitoring, and door-to-door service to any Cambridge address or college.
At-a-Glance Answer (Fare Overview)
For most travellers heading from Stansted Airport (STN) to Cambridge, a typical pre-booked taxi fare is £50–£75 for a standard saloon (up to 4 passengers with light luggage). Executive cars usually run £70–£100. Larger vehicles (MPV / 7 seater or 8-seater minibuses for 8 passengers) are typically £80–£110. This is a short, straightforward motorway transfer — one of the best-value airport taxi routes in the region. All fares are fixed at booking with no surge pricing.
What Affects the Fare from Stansted to Cambridge?
Stansted Airport sits approximately 28–30 miles south of Cambridge on the M11 corridor. The motorway connects the two directly, making this one of the fastest airport transfers in the UK. Your fare is shaped by:
- Vehicle type & capacity: Saloon, estate, MPV, 7 seater, executive cars, or minibus for 8 passengers.
- Drop-off in Cambridge: City centre, specific university college, Cambridge Science Park, Biomedical Campus (Addenbrooke's), or surrounding villages like Girton, Trumpington, or Great Shelford.
- Traffic: The M11 itself is usually clear, but the A14 junction near Cambridge and the approach into the city centre can slow during rush hours.
- Time of day: Late-night arrivals (after the last train) and early-morning flights may carry a small surcharge, but fixed-fare operators include this in the quoted price.
- Luggage: International students arriving with multiple suitcases and boxes may need an estate or MPV.
- Meet and greet: Your TfL-licensed driver waits inside the arrivals hall with a name board — included as standard.
Tip: Stansted is Cambridge's nearest airport — at just 28–30 miles, it's less than half the distance of Heathrow (68 miles) or Gatwick (85 miles). If you have a choice of London airport, flying into Stansted saves you significant transfer costs.
Transparent Transfer Prices (Example Guide)
| Vehicle & Use Case | Seats | Luggage Guide | Example Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon – best for couples/solo | 4 | 2 large + 2 cabin | £50–£75 |
| Estate – more luggage space | 4 | 3 large + 2 cabin | £60–£80 |
| Executive cars – premium comfort | 4 | 2 large + 2 cabin | £70–£100 |
| MPV / 7 seater – families & gear | 7 | 4–5 large + 4 cabin | £80–£105 |
| Minibus (up to 8 passengers) | 8 | Group & kit | £90–£115 |
View our full Stansted Airport taxi prices for complete fleet pricing across all routes.
Taxi vs Train vs Bus: Full Comparison
Stansted to Cambridge has good public transport links — there's a direct train and a coach service. Here's how they compare:
| Option | Cost (1 Person) | Cost for 3 | Journey Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked taxi | £50–£75 (total) | £17–£25 each | 35–45 min (door to door) | Groups, families, heavy luggage, late arrivals |
| Train (CrossCountry/Greater Anglia) | £8–£15 | £24–£45 | 30–40 min | Solo travellers, light bags, daytime |
| National Express coach | £8–£15 | £24–£45 | 50–60 min | Budget solo, no rush |
Key takeaway: For solo travellers arriving during train operating hours, the train at £8–£15 is cheapest and fastest. For 2–3 passengers sharing a taxi at £17–£25 each, you get door-to-door delivery to a specific Cambridge address — and it's essential for late-night flights arriving after the last train (around 00:44).
Late-Night Flights: When the Train Stops Running
Many Stansted flights arrive late in the evening or after midnight — especially budget airlines and European services. The last direct train to Cambridge departs around 00:44, and any delays clearing immigration or collecting baggage can mean you miss it. A pre-booked taxi is the reliable backup:
- No last-train anxiety: Your driver waits regardless of arrival time, with flight tracking to adjust for delays.
- Fixed fare: No surge pricing, even at 1 am or 2 am.
- Door to door: Delivered to your Cambridge address, not left at the station needing another connection.
- Safety: Arriving tired after a late flight, a pre-booked car with a DBS-checked, TfL-licensed driver is the safest option.
Cambridge Colleges & Specific Drop-Offs
Drivers on this route regularly deliver passengers to specific locations throughout Cambridge:
- University colleges: King's, Trinity, St John's, Pembroke, Jesus, Churchill, Fitzwilliam, Homerton, and all 31 colleges. Drivers navigate the one-way system and pedestrianised zones to get as close as possible.
- Cambridge Science Park: Business travellers arriving for the tech and biotech cluster north of the city.
- Addenbrooke's / Biomedical Campus: Medical professionals and patients — accessed via the Trumpington Road approach.
- ARM / AstraZeneca campuses: Major employers attracting regular airport-to-office transfers.
- Surrounding villages: Great Shelford, Trumpington, Girton, Histon, Waterbeach, Bar Hill — all within the standard fare range.
All London Airports to Cambridge Compared
If you're flexible on which airport you fly into, here's the full picture from our London to Cambridge guide:
| Airport | Distance to Cambridge | Approx. Drive Time | Approx. Saloon Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stansted (STN) | ~28–30 miles | 35–45 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 |
| Southend (SEN) | ~65 miles | 1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 30 min | £95–£130 |
| Gatwick (LGW) | ~85 miles | 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 15 min | £140–£185 |
Stansted saves you £45–£110 compared to Heathrow or Gatwick — a compelling reason to choose Stansted flights when Cambridge is your destination.
How to Book
Booking takes less than a minute. Enter Stansted Airport and your 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 Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, London City, and Southend airports.
Stansted to Cambridge: What to Expect on the Day
- Direct route: M11 northbound from Stansted (Junction 8) to Cambridge (Junction 11 or 13). One of the simplest airport transfers in the UK — a single motorway the entire way.
- Journey time: Typically 35–45 minutes. Even with the A14 junction traffic, you're rarely looking at more than 50 minutes.
- Door to door: Collected from the Stansted arrivals hall, delivered to your exact Cambridge 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 Stansted Instead?
Absolutely. Cambridge to Stansted is one of the most popular airport transfer routes in East Anglia. Pre-booking ensures your TfL-licensed driver arrives at your Cambridge address with time to spare for check-in. Early-morning flights (5–7 am departures) are particularly common — a taxi at 3–4 am is far easier than catching the first train.
Route Tips & Local Knowledge
- The M11 between Stansted and Cambridge is one of the quietest sections of motorway in the South East. Even at busy times, delays are rare.
- Budget airline timings: Ryanair and other budget carriers at Stansted often have late-evening arrivals. Pre-booking a taxi is essential if you land after 11 pm.
- For Ely (15 miles north of Cambridge), your driver can continue directly from Stansted — the total journey is about 45 miles and 50–60 minutes.
- Cambridge Park & Ride restrictions don't affect taxis — you'll be delivered door to door while self-drivers need to use the Park & Ride system for the city centre.
- During Freshers' Week (early October), demand for Stansted-to-Cambridge taxis peaks. International students should book at least a week in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Stansted to Cambridge?
A pre-booked saloon taxi from Stansted to Cambridge typically costs £50–£75 with London Airport Taxi, a TfL-licensed private hire operator rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews. The journey covers approximately 28–30 miles in 35–45 minutes via the M11 motorway. For 2–3 passengers sharing, the per-person cost of £17–£25 is only marginally more than the train — with the huge advantage of door-to-door delivery to a specific Cambridge address or college. All fares are fixed at booking with no surge pricing.
How long does a taxi take from Stansted to Cambridge?
The journey typically takes 35 to 45 minutes via the M11 northbound from Junction 8 (Stansted) to Junction 11 or 13 (Cambridge). Traffic is rarely a major issue on this stretch of motorway, though the A14 junction near Cambridge can add 5–10 minutes during rush hour. This is one of the simplest airport transfers in the UK — a single motorway the entire way. Even in heavy traffic, you're rarely looking at more than 50 minutes.
Is the train cheaper than a taxi from Stansted to Cambridge?
For solo travellers, yes — the CrossCountry or Greater Anglia train costs just £8–£15 and takes 30–40 minutes. But for 2–3 people sharing a taxi (£17–£25 each), the cost difference is minimal, and you gain door-to-door convenience with no need to queue for the station shuttle. For late-night arrivals when trains have stopped running (last departure around 00:44), a pre-booked taxi is the only practical option. Taxis also handle heavy luggage far better than trains.
What time does the last train from Stansted to Cambridge leave?
The last direct train from Stansted Airport to Cambridge typically departs around 00:44, but this can vary by day of the week and operator schedules. If your flight lands after 11:30 pm, you may not have enough time to clear immigration, collect baggage, and reach the station platform. A pre-booked taxi eliminates this risk entirely — your TfL-licensed driver waits in the arrivals hall regardless of delays, with 30 minutes of complimentary waiting time from actual landing.
Can I get a taxi from Stansted to a specific Cambridge college?
Yes. London Airport Taxi drivers regularly deliver to all 31 Cambridge University colleges and navigate the city's one-way system, restricted access zones, and pedestrianised streets with experience. Specify the college name when booking — your driver will get as close as possible to the porter's lodge. Popular college drop-offs include King's, Trinity, St John's, Pembroke, Jesus, Churchill, and Homerton. The fare is the same regardless of which college, as all are within Cambridge city centre.
Can I book a taxi from Stansted to Cambridge for 7 or 8 passengers?
Yes. London Airport Taxi offers a full range of vehicle options from standard saloons right up to 8-seater minibuses, all with professional, DBS-checked drivers. For 7 passengers, an MPV costs £80–£105. For 8 passengers, a minibus costs £90–£115. University student groups arriving together for the start of term regularly book these larger vehicles — during Freshers' Week (early October), we recommend booking at least a week in advance.
What if my flight into Stansted is delayed?
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 your bags, and make your way through the terminal.
Summary: Getting the Best Value
The Stansted to Cambridge taxi is one of the shortest and best-value airport transfers in the UK. At £50–£75 for a saloon, you're delivered door to door in under 45 minutes — and for groups of 2–3 sharing, the per-person cost barely exceeds the train fare. For late-night arrivals, early-morning departures, or anyone with heavy luggage, a pre-booked taxi is the stress-free choice. London Airport Taxi is TfL-licensed, rated 4.9/5 across 450+ reviews, and operates 24/7 with DBS-checked drivers. Book your Stansted to Cambridge taxi online now for an instant fixed-price quote.
