Cambridge to Stansted Airport Trains From £3.40*

When it comes to easy and efficient travel between Cambridge and Stansted Airport, Greater Anglia has you covered. Operating up to 66 direct trains per day, this service runs from as early as 04:44 through to 22:50, with journey times from 27 minutes. Covering a modest 22 miles, it's a convenient route for early-morning fliers, late-night arrivals, or anyone commuting between Cambridgeshire and Essex. Prices start from just £3.40, making it affordable and efficient.

Along the way, you'll pass the majestic estate of Audley End set amid lush parkland, surrounded by rural farmland and quaint villages, and glimpse the historic market town of Bishop's Stortford.

Greater Anglia is a key rail operator in the East of England, running services from London Liverpool Street and Stratford to counties including Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire. It serves popular destinations like Norwich, Cambridge, Ipswich, Southend, and coastal towns such as Clacton-on-Sea. Its fleet includes high-speed intercity trains and reliable regional services, including the dedicated Stansted Express.

Departing from Cambridge

Cambridge railway station, located at the end of Station Road and just over a mile southeast of the historic city centre, is one of the region's busiest transport hubs. Handling over 10 million passengers annually, it's the busiest station in East England and among the busiest outside London. 

It's easily accessible via Stagecoach Citi bus routes 1, 3, and 7, with taxi services readily available and a taxi rank outside the main entrance. For those using multiple forms of transport, a PLUSBUS ticket offers discounted bus travel when combined with your train fare.

From Cambridge Station, passengers can reach London Liverpool Street, London Kings Cross, and St Pancras International, as well as other cities including Birmingham and Norwich. Greater Anglia manages the station and provides regular services to both Stansted Airport and destinations throughout East Anglia. Great Northern and CrossCountry also serve the station, making it a key interchange for local and long-distance journeys.

Main stops

Greater Anglia operates direct train services from Cambridge to Stansted Airport, with Audley End and Bishop's Stortford being the main intermediate stops. The full list of stops on this route is: Cambridge – Audley End – Elsenham – Bishop's Stortford – Stansted Mountfitchet – Stansted Airport.

Arriving at Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport railway station is directly beneath the main terminal of London Stansted Airport, in Essex, making it an effortless transition from train to plane. Opened in 1991 alongside the airport's terminal expansion, the station sits on a dedicated West Anglia Main Line branch, with the Stansted Express offering regular connections to London Liverpool Street. It sees more than 9 million annual passengers, making it the busiest station in Essex and one of the top 20 busiest outside London.

The main rail service from Stansted is the Stansted Express, connecting to London Liverpool Street, Stratford, and Tottenham Hale for Underground and Overground connections. Trains run every 15 minutes, seven days a week, making it one of the most dependable airport connections in the country.

The area surrounding Stansted isn't all aviation. Travellers with extra time can explore historic sites like Mountfitchet Castle or Audley End House, enjoy nature at Hatfield Forest, or visit the unique Henry Moore Studios & Gardens. For shopping or a relaxed meal, the nearby market towns of Bishop's Stortford and Saffron Walden are well worth a stop.

Greater Anglia train classes

Greater Anglia trains from Cambridge to Stansted Airport use modern rolling stock with Standard Class only, offering regional travellers a clean and comfortable experience. These services do not feature First Class, as they are part of the Stansted Express and regional fleet.

Standard Class on all services includes comfortable 2+2 or 3+2 seating, power sockets, and luggage racks. Priority seating is available for passengers with mobility needs across all trains.

On other Greater Anglia routes, such as those to Norwich, passengers can enjoy First Class travel with 2+1 seating, extra legroom, complimentary refreshments, and access to First Class lounges.

Greater Anglia train travel advice

Here are a few helpful travel tips if you're using Greater Anglia:

• Luggage: You may bring two large pieces of luggage and one smaller hand luggage item for free. Use racks near doors for large items and overhead storage for smaller bags.
• Bicycles: Bicycles can be taken on board for free, but restrictions apply at peak times, especially at major stations. Book in advance for longer routes.
• Children: Under 5s travel free; children aged 5 to 15 get a 50% discount. Family Travelcards and the £2 Hare Fare offer good value for groups.
• Pets: You can bring up to two small pets free of charge. They must be on a leash or in a carrier and not occupy a seat.
• Passenger Assist: Request help at least two hours before travel via phone, email, or the Passenger Assistance app. Staff can help with boarding, luggage, and accessibility.

Direct and dependable, CrossCountry's route from Cambridge to Stansted Airport offers another excellent option for travellers. With 19 direct trains per day, it's a less frequent but still convenient service, and the fastest journeys take 27 minutes.

This route passes through the East of England, offering views of open countryside and the elegant station architecture of Audley End and Stansted Mountfitchet, which is ideal for those exploring the region.

CrossCountry is a major UK train operator, connecting cities across Britain with Birmingham New Street at its centre. Its services run from Scotland and the North East to Cornwall, South Wales, and the South Coast, including airport stops like Birmingham and Stansted. Trains are primarily formed of Voyager units for long-haul trips and Turbostar trains for regional services like Cambridge to Stansted.

CrossCountry train classes

The CrossCountry service between Cambridge and Stansted Airport is operated by Turbostar trains, which only feature Standard Class seating. These regional trains are clean and functional, designed for short- to medium-distance travel without First Class accommodations.

Standard Class, found on all CrossCountry trains, includes 2+2 seating, power sockets, overhead racks, and luggage space under seats or near doors. The seating layout is suited to solo travellers and small groups.

Elsewhere on the CrossCountry network, First Class is offered on Voyager and Super Voyager trains. Benefits include larger, reclining seats, extra legroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, snacks, and drinks. These trains are more common on long-distance services linking Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, and Edinburgh.

CrossCountry train travel advice

Here are some valuable tips for travelling on CrossCountry trains:

• Luggage: Passengers may bring one personal item, one medium-sized bag, and one large suitcase. Store bags in racks or overhead to avoid blocking aisles.
• Bicycles: Bikes are allowed free of charge but must be booked in advance. Trains have two reservable spaces and one additional unreserved space on Voyager trains.
• Children: Under 5s travel free without a reserved seat; children aged 5 to 15 receive discounted fares. Family & Friends Railcards offer additional savings for group travel.
• Pets: Two small pets per person may travel for free, as long as they are on a lead or in a secure carrier. Pets must not occupy seats or disturb other passengers.
• Passenger Assist: Assistance can be booked online, via phone (0344 811 0125), or via the Passenger Assistance app. Book at least 24 to 48 hours in advance for guaranteed support.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.