Peterborough to Stansted Airport Trains From £7.30*

CrossCountry provides the only direct rail connection between Peterborough and Stansted Airport, covering approximately 52 miles. The fastest journeys take around 1 hour 21 minutes, while most services average about 1 hour 25 minutes.

Trains run once per hour throughout the day, providing a convenient link between Cambridgeshire and one of the UK's busiest airports.

Is First Class available on CrossCountry trains to Stansted Airport?

No, First Class accommodation is not available on this route. CrossCountry operates Class 170 Turbostar trains between Peterborough and Stansted Airport, and these services are configured entirely with Standard Class seating.

What is the Standard Class experience like?

Standard Class offers comfortable seating with generous legroom compared with many commuter routes. Refurbished interiors feature updated upholstery, improved lighting, and free Wi-Fi.

Tables are available in selected seating bays, making it easy to work, eat or organise travel documents during the journey. Accessible toilets are also available on board.

Where can luggage be stored, and are charging points available?

To accommodate airport travellers, smaller bags can fit in overhead racks, larger suitcases in dedicated areas near carriage doors, and compact items under the seats.

Refurbished trains feature at-seat charging points, allowing passengers to charge phones, tablets and laptops before reaching the airport. There is no trolley service on this route, so buying refreshments before departure is advisable.

Around 10 million passengers use Stansted Airport railway station each year for airport access, while Peterborough remains one of the busiest rail hubs in eastern England, creating a well-established travel corridor between the two locations.

Departure from Peterborough

Peterborough railway station handles approximately 5 million passenger journeys annually and serves as a major interchange on the East Coast Main Line.

Specific transport links

• Stagecoach Citi network: Frequent local bus services connect Queensgate Bus Station with residential areas across Peterborough, stopping only a short walk from the station entrance.
• Cross Keys Homes Connectors: Several local community transport links operate across the wider Peterborough area, helping passengers reach the station efficiently.
• Station taxi rank: Licensed taxis are available immediately outside the main entrance, offering direct transfers from homes, hotels and business locations.

Station layout

• Platforms 1 to 3: Primarily serve East Coast Main Line services heading towards London, Leeds, York and Edinburgh.
• Platforms 4 to 7: CrossCountry services, including trains to Stansted Airport, depart from these platforms.

Pre-departure essentials

A Starbucks is located on Platform 1A for coffee and light snacks, while additional food kiosks and convenience stores are available within the concourse. Passengers looking for a quick meal deal, bottled drinks or travel essentials can find everything they need before boarding their airport service.

Onboard trains from Peterborough to Stansted Airport

Alongside practical airport-focused facilities, the route offers some surprisingly attractive countryside scenery between Peterborough and Stansted Airport.

The scenic side

• Sit on the left-hand side to enjoy expansive views across the Cambridgeshire Fens, with open farmland, drainage channels and wide horizons visible for much of the journey.
• Sit on the right-hand side for better views of sections of rural Essex countryside after leaving Cambridge, including rolling farmland and woodland landscapes.

Key landmarks

• Ely Cathedral: Visible from several miles away, this iconic Norman cathedral rises above the flat Fenland landscape and is one of the route's standout sights.
• River Cam: Crossed as the train approaches Cambridge, where rowing crews can be spotted training on the water.
• Audley End estate: Shortly after Cambridge, passengers may glimpse parts of the historic estate surrounding Audley End House.

Arriving at Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport railway station sits directly beneath the airport terminal and provides one of the UK's most convenient rail-to-airport connections.

The correct exit

• Airport terminal concourse: Follow signs to the lifts or escalators for direct access to check-in, departures and airport facilities within minutes.
• Coach station exit: Use the clearly marked route beyond the ticket barriers for National Express and other long-distance coach services.
• Official taxi rank: Follow terminal signage to the designated taxi area located outside the main arrivals section.
• Car hire facilities: Passengers collecting rental vehicles should follow airport signs from the terminal concourse towards the car hire centre.

Onward travel

• National Express coaches: Frequent services connect Stansted Airport with London Victoria, Stratford, Heathrow Airport and numerous regional destinations.
• Airport buses: Local and regional bus services operate throughout Essex, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.
• Greater Anglia rail services: Regular trains provide direct connections to London Liverpool Street, Cambridge and intermediate stations.
• Official airport taxis: Available outside the terminal for direct transfers to nearby towns, hotels and business parks.

Walkability

The airport terminal is fully accessible on foot from the railway station and can be reached within two to three minutes using lifts, escalators or step-free walkways.

However, Stansted Airport is located outside any major town centre, meaning onward journeys beyond the terminal require a train, coach, bus or taxi connection. Nearby destinations such as Bishop's Stortford are not realistically accessible on foot.