Stansted Airport to Cambridge: The Direct Line North

Stansted wears two hats: London’s low-cost airport and Cambridge’s local one. The university city is closer to Stansted than central London is, and the direct train makes the airport the natural gateway for the science parks, the colleges and everything between.

By train: 30 minutes, no changes

Direct trains leave from the station beneath the terminal and reach Cambridge in about half an hour. For visitors the route is simpler than any London transfer: one escalator, one platform, one train. The Radisson Blu and Hampton are the hotels within a walk of that platform, which makes either a practical first or last night for a Cambridge trip with an early flight attached.

By road: the M11

Cambridge is about 40 minutes up the M11 from the airport’s junction 8. The Holiday Inn Express states the road case plainly: two miles from the M11 with direct access to the A120. The Days Inn is at the junction 8 services themselves, and the Ramada and Great Hallingbury Manor put free parking within a few minutes of the motorway.

Which way round to stay

Flying out early after a Cambridge visit, sleep at the airport, not in the city: the walkable hotels turn a 6:00 am departure into a manageable morning, as the early flights guide sets out. Landing late before a Cambridge stay, the same logic reverses: a first night at the airport costs less than a midnight taxi north.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Stansted Airport to Cambridge?

Direct trains run from the station beneath the terminal to Cambridge in about 30 minutes. By road it is around 40 minutes up the M11. There is no need to go via London.

Is Stansted the best airport for Cambridge?

Yes. It is the closest major airport to Cambridge, with a direct half-hour rail link; Heathrow and Gatwick are two hours or more away across London.

Which airport hotel suits a Cambridge trip?

The Radisson Blu and Hampton put you a walk from the trains; the Holiday Inn Express and Novotel note their own rail access via the shuttle. The Ramada and Great Hallingbury Manor suit drivers heading up the M11.

Information last verified: August 21, 2026