Stansted Airport to Peterborough Trains From £5.40*

CrossCountry's direct train service from Stansted Airport to Peterborough covers an approximate 52-mile distance and offers a swift and comfortable journey in 1 hour and 22 minutes. With 41 daily services, the first train departs at 05:20 and the last at 23:59, making it accessible for both early flyers and late arrivals.

This route is ideal for tourists and travellers exploring Cambridge, the Fens, or connecting to the Midlands and North of England. Along the way, enjoy East Anglia's flat countryside, wide skies, and charming market towns.

CrossCountry is a major UK train operator known for its long-distance, high-speed services. Owned by the Arriva Group, its extensive network covers over 100 stations, linking seven of the UK's 10 largest cities across England, Scotland, and Wales, though notably excluding Greater London. Its services radiate from Birmingham New Street, connecting key destinations such as Plymouth, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester, and Stansted Airport.

Departing from Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport railway station is located on Bassingbourn Road, Stansted, Essex, directly beneath the terminal building, providing travellers with effortless access from air to rail. A two-minute walk using escalators, lifts, or ramps connects the terminal to the station at Level -1.

You can easily reach the station by train, bus, car, or taxi. The Stansted Express offers a fast route from London Liverpool Street of about 48 minutes, and it also connects with Tottenham Hale for Victoria Line Underground access.

CrossCountry and Greater Anglia provide additional regional services. Bus and coach travellers can use National Express and Airport Bus Express, while drivers can access the airport via the M11 with multiple parking options. Official airport taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber also operate from the arrivals area.

From this station, you can reach a wide range of destinations. CrossCountry offers links to Peterborough, Cambridge, and Birmingham, bypassing London. Greater Anglia connects Stansted with East Anglia, including Norwich, Ipswich, and coastal towns. Meanwhile, the Stansted Express is the most popular route for passengers heading into London.

Main stops

The direct CrossCountry train from Stansted Airport to Peterborough stops at Cambridge and Ely before reaching Peterborough.

Arriving at Peterborough

Peterborough railway station is centrally located in the heart of Cambridgeshire, offering excellent access to the city's main attractions. The station sits close to the Queensgate Shopping Centre and is a short walk from the city centre, making onward travel and sightseeing convenient.

As a key interchange on the East Coast Main Line, Peterborough welcomes services from CrossCountry, LNER, Greater Anglia, Thameslink, and East Midlands Railway. These services connect passengers to cities across the UK, including London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridge and Ipswich.

While in Peterborough, don't miss the spectacular Peterborough Cathedral, which is only a 10-minute walk from the station. Other nearby attractions include the Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery, Longthorpe Tower, the historic Guildhall, and the Railworld Wildlife Haven, all within easy reach of the station.

CrossCountry train classes

CrossCountry trains between Stansted Airport and Peterborough offer Standard Class and First Class options, and services are operated by long-distance Voyager trains.

Standard Class is available on all CrossCountry services and provides comfortable seating, overhead luggage racks, under-seat storage, and free Wi-Fi with at-seat power sockets. A trolley service with food and drink is available on most routes. Reservations are not available on shorter-distance Turbostar trains, while Voyager trains feature reserved seating indicated by LED displays.

First Class is available exclusively on Voyager trains. It offers reclining, spacious seats with extra legroom and table space. Some seats are arranged solo with a table, perfect for solo travellers. Passengers enjoy complimentary food and drinks, enhanced Wi-Fi, and a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. First Class is typically located in Coach A.

CrossCountry train travel advice

Here are some key tips for a smooth journey with CrossCountry:

• Luggage: You're allowed two suitcases and one item of hand luggage. Ensure bags can be handled by one person and stored safely; oversize items may incur fees or be refused.
• Bicycles: Non-folding bikes require a reservation made when booking your ticket. Folding bikes are allowed without booking if stowed as luggage.
• Children: Children under 5 travel free without a reserved seat. Children aged 5 to 15 must travel with a fare-paying adult. The Family and Friends Railcard offers discounts for group travel.
• Pets: Up to two pets per passenger can travel free. They must be on a lead or in a carrier and not occupy seats or disturb others.
• Passenger Assistance: Assistance can be booked online with 48 hours' notice or by phone 24 hours prior. You'll need to provide journey and health details to ensure suitable arrangements.

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