Cambridge airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs

Cambridge is served by rail from London and from Stansted, not by a scheduled airport of its own. Cambridge Airport (CBG) handles general and business aviation; if you booked a commercial flight, you are almost certainly landing at Stansted, Heathrow, Luton or Gatwick.

The table below compares the realistic routes. Times are door to door from the airport terminal to Cambridge city centre, and costs are 2026 estimates for one adult.

Stansted is the closest airport to Cambridge and the easiest arrival. Trains run from the station under the terminal to Cambridge, with a journey of roughly 35–50 minutes; some services require a change at Audley End, so check the departure board rather than assuming a direct train.

Buy at the station or in advance. Advance single fares are usually cheaper than walk-up tickets, in line with UK rail generally, where booking 4–12 weeks ahead cuts the price sharply. If you land late, confirm the last departure before you commit to a flight.

From Heathrow, take the Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line into London, then a train north from King's Cross or Liverpool Street. Allow 2–2.5 hours door to door and buy a through ticket if you can, which usually costs less than separate legs.

From Luton, the shuttle connects the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway, then a train runs into London and onward to Cambridge; allow 1.5–2 hours. From Gatwick, trains into London plus a cross-London transfer take 2–2.5 hours. In every case the train beats a taxi on cost, and usually on time.

Cambridge station sits about 1.5–2 km south-east of the centre, a 20–25 minute walk. Local buses run frequently along Hills Road and Station Road; contactless tap-in works on many services, with fares around £2–3 (2026 estimate).

Taxis and minicabs wait outside the station; expect roughly £8–15 to the centre, more late at night or with heavy traffic. Rideshare apps also operate in the city. If you are staying near the station, walking is often fastest.

Budget £10–20 for Stansted to Cambridge by train, £25–45 from Heathrow, £25–40 from Luton and £30–50 from Gatwick, all 2026 estimates for a single adult. A taxi from Cambridge station to the centre adds £8–15.

Advance rail tickets and a railcard cut these figures; walk-up fares on the day are the most expensive option. Contactless capping applies on London transport legs but not on the intercity train to Cambridge.

Book Advance train tickets 4–12 weeks ahead where your plans are fixed; the saving is usually large. If you are arriving on a late flight, check the last train before booking, and keep a taxi number as backup.

Cambridge is compact and walkable once you are in the centre, so you rarely need a car. For onward travel, Ely and Peterborough are short train rides away.