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Ely, Cambridgeshire is approximately 35 miles from Stansted Airport by road. The route can be made by pre-booked private-hire taxi (door-to-door, fixed fare), by train (with connections via Cambridge), or by bus. Stansted Airport Taxi provides pre-booked transfers from any Ely address — including Ely train station for passengers combining rail and road transport.
This page covers both directions: Ely to Stansted Airport, and Stansted Airport back to Ely. Fixed-fare, door-to-door transfers from Stansted Airport Taxi, a TfL-licensed private-hire operator. Reviewed September 2026.
A pre-booked taxi is the most direct option. Door-to-door in around 50–65 minutes via the A10, A11 and M11, with a fixed fare confirmed before you travel.
The train works but requires a Cambridge interchange. A well-timed connection achieves approximately 2 hours from Ely station to Stansted Airport station; a poor connection adds considerably. Plan for 2 to 2.5 hours minimum.
Road travel is typically faster than rail on this route, since the train journey goes south via Cambridge and then southeast via Liverpool Street — a longer total distance than the direct road route.
The headline facts before the detail.
| Mode | Key information |
|---|---|
| Taxi / private hire | Pre-booked, door-to-door; ~50–65 minutes |
| Train | Connection at Cambridge; interchange typically required |
| Bus | Current services — check before travel |
| Car | Via A10 / A11 / M11; ~50–65 minutes off-peak |
| Approximate road distance | ~35 miles |
| Ely station | Serves East Midlands / Cambridge / King's Cross / Stansted corridor |
| Return journey | Stansted Airport → Ely: fully covered below |
| Booking | Taxi: stanstedairport-taxi.com · Train: nationalrail.co.uk |
Is there a train from Ely to Stansted Airport?
Yes, via Cambridge and London Liverpool Street to the Stansted Express. No single direct train exists.
How long does the train take?
With a well-timed connection at Cambridge, approximately 2 hours. A poor connection adds considerably — allow 2 to 2.5 hours minimum.
How far is Ely from Stansted Airport?
Approximately 35 miles by road, via the A10, A11 and M11 toward Junction 8.
How much is a taxi from Ely to Stansted Airport?
Indicative fares for ~35 miles: Saloon £79.00, Estate £81.70, MPV5 £85.90 — including the £10 Stansted drop-off charge.
Is a taxi faster than the train on this route?
Usually, yes — road travel is typically faster because the rail route goes south via Cambridge before heading southeast, a longer total distance.
Can I book from Ely train station directly?
Yes — passengers arriving at Ely by train from elsewhere can book a taxi pickup directly from the station.
Door-to-door, pre-booked, and available from Ely station too.
Stansted Airport Taxi provides pre-booked, fixed-fare private-hire transfers from any Ely address directly to the Stansted terminal — home, hotel, Ely city centre or Ely train station — with no connections or interchanges. The £10 Stansted Express Set-Down charge (effective 19 March 2026) is included — no surprise charge on arrival.
The booking process: enter the Ely pickup address at stanstedairport-taxi.com, select Stansted Airport as the destination, provide the journey date and required pickup time, select the vehicle class appropriate for passenger count and luggage, then confirm — the fare is locked and a reference issued immediately. Alternatively, call +44 20 3617 7825 or WhatsApp us.
Fares are calculated on road distance (~35 miles) and vehicle class. The £10 Stansted Set-Down charge (effective 19 March 2026) is included in every quoted fare.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Ely → Stansted (inc. £10 charge) |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Up to 4 passengers | £79.00 |
| Estate | Up to 4 + extra luggage | £81.70 |
| MPV5 | Up to 5 passengers | £85.90 |
| MPV6 | Up to 6 passengers | £89.50 |
| MPV7 | Up to 7 passengers | £96.40 |
| MPV8 (8-seater) | Up to 8 passengers | £99.70 |
| Executive Saloon | Up to 4 passengers | £100.00 |
| Executive MPV | Up to 6 passengers | £115.00 |
Prices last updated: September 2026. Fares shown are indicative, calculated on distance by vehicle class, and confirmed at booking via our fare calculator. Your final fixed price is locked in your booking confirmation — no surge, no airport surcharge, no late-night premium, no card fees.
What can affect the quoted fare? Vehicle class and exact pickup postcode determine the fare. Specialist requirements (accessibility vehicles, oversized luggage) should be confirmed at the time of booking. What to confirm before booking: passenger count, luggage volume, specific Ely pickup address. For the full pricing methodology, see our Stansted Airport Taxi Prices page.
One of the most commonly researched options for this route.
Ely station is well-served by Greater Anglia and other operators, with connections that can link to the Stansted Airport rail network — though the specific routing and timing require checking before each journey.
Ely train station to Stansted Airport: Ely station is on the main Cambridge–King's Cross and Cambridge–Norwich corridors. For passengers travelling to Stansted Airport, the relevant connection is typically via Cambridge southbound, then onward toward London Liverpool Street and the Stansted Express. However, some timetables offer different routings — verify the current option at nationalrail.co.uk for the specific travel date.
Standard rail routing: Ely → Cambridge (approximately 15–20 minutes), Cambridge → London Liverpool Street (approximately 75–85 minutes), Liverpool Street → Stansted Airport via the Stansted Express (approximately 47 minutes). This typically involves at least one interchange at Cambridge or another connecting station. Check specific services for the travel date — some direct-change options exist that minimise waiting time at Cambridge.
Journey time: varies considerably depending on the specific connection. A good timetable connection could achieve approximately 2 hours from Ely station to Stansted Airport station. A poor connection or a wait at Cambridge adds to this significantly. Key variables: service frequency out of Ely; wait time at the Cambridge interchange; the specific Stansted Express departure. For early-morning flights, verify the first available train combination on nationalrail.co.uk — not all early services connect efficiently.
Timetables change seasonally and with engineering works — check these sources directly.
Current train times from Ely to Stansted Airport change seasonally and in response to engineering works. The only reliable source of current times is nationalrail.co.uk or journey planner apps (Trainline, Greater Anglia). This page does not publish a static timetable because it would become outdated.
First and last trains: first departures from Ely toward Cambridge run from approximately 5am to 6am on weekdays, depending on the specific service. The last connection that allows arrival at Stansted Airport with enough time for an evening flight departure should be checked on the travel date.
How often do trains run? Trains from Ely toward Cambridge typically run every 30 to 60 minutes during most of the day, with higher frequency at peak times. Frequency drops during evening hours and on weekends and bank holidays. Check the specific timetable for the travel date.
Checking train times before an airport journey — planning backwards from the flight:
For guidance on airport arrival timing, see our How Early to Arrive at Stansted Airport guide.
Why this page doesn't publish a fixed price.
Train ticket prices for Ely to Stansted Airport vary by date, time, advance purchase and ticket type. Advance tickets — purchased before the travel date — are typically significantly lower than walk-up or open return fares. Split ticketing (buying separate tickets for each leg) may produce different pricing; compare at nationalrail.co.uk and other booking platforms.
Do not assume a fixed ticket price from this page. Check current fares at nationalrail.co.uk, greateranglia.co.uk and stanstedexpress.com for the specific travel date. Flexible tickets are more expensive but can be used on any appropriate service.
Limited compared with rail and road.
Bus services between Ely and Stansted Airport are limited compared with the rail and road options. There is no direct bus route between the two points. Passengers using bus travel need to connect via Cambridge or another intermediate hub.
Check current bus services at Traveline East Anglia and with local operators before planning a bus-based journey. Bus frequencies and routes change, and the total journey time from Ely to Stansted Airport by bus is typically longer than either train or taxi alternatives.
Road, rail and straight-line distance all differ here.
The road distance from Ely, Cambridgeshire to Stansted Airport is approximately 35 miles. The most direct road route typically follows the A10 southbound from Ely toward Royston, then the A505 or connecting roads toward the A11, and from there to the M11 southbound and Junction 8 for the airport approach.
Road distance varies slightly depending on the specific Ely pickup postcode and the routing chosen. The straight-line geographic distance is shorter than the road distance because roads follow available routes rather than a direct line. For a precise figure from a specific address, use a live mapping tool. Rail distance differs from road distance because the train journey goes via Cambridge and then south toward London rather than directly southwest toward Stansted.
Road is typically faster than rail on this route.
| Mode | Typical time | Key variables |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi / private hire | ~50–65 minutes | Road conditions; A10 and M11 traffic |
| Car | ~50–65 minutes | Same conditions as taxi |
| Train | ~2 hours with good connection | Cambridge interchange; service frequency |
| Bus | ~2.5 hours+ | Connections; service dependent |
Road travel from Ely to Stansted Airport is typically faster than the equivalent rail journey because the rail route requires going south via Cambridge and then southeast via Liverpool Street — a longer total journey. Traffic on the A10 and M11 during weekday morning peaks can extend road time by 15 to 30 minutes.
Six factors, across all four modes.
| Factor | Taxi / Private Hire | Train | Bus | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Any Ely address | Ely station | Current service departure point | Any Ely address |
| Airport destination | Stansted terminal | Stansted Airport station | Current airport service point | Stansted terminal |
| Connections | None | Typically Cambridge interchange | Check current service | None |
| Luggage | Vehicle-dependent; loaded at door | Passenger-managed | Passenger-managed | Vehicle-dependent |
| Booking | Pre-bookable 24/7 | Timetable + ticket | Service-dependent | N/A |
| Timing | Road conditions | Timetable-dependent | Timetable and road conditions | Road conditions |
Four traveller considerations, plus a note for passengers arriving by train.
The same options in reverse.
Taxi from Stansted Airport to Ely: for the return journey, Stansted Airport Taxi provides a pre-booked private-hire transfer from the airport to any Ely address. Our driver meets arriving passengers in the Stansted arrivals hall with a name board and monitors the inbound flight within the 45-minute free wait window. Book the return transfer before departing on the outbound leg, and provide the flight number and scheduled arrival time.
Train from Stansted Airport to Ely: Stansted Airport station → London Liverpool Street via the Stansted Express (~47 minutes), Liverpool Street → Cambridge via a Greater Anglia fast service (~75–85 minutes), Cambridge → Ely northbound (~15–20 minutes). Check current timetables at nationalrail.co.uk. Late-night arrivals at Stansted should verify that onward train connections to Ely are still operating before relying on the rail option for the return journey.
Bus from Stansted Airport to Ely: no direct bus service runs between Stansted Airport and Ely. Connections via Cambridge are possible but require checking current operator routes and timetables.
Planning the journey after your flight: key considerations — flight arrival time and any delay; baggage reclaim time (allow 20–40 minutes); for rail, the last Ely-bound connection from Cambridge; for pre-booked private hire, the driver confirmed and tracking the inbound flight.
Seven steps, in order.
Three options, side by side.
| Factor | Taxi / Private Hire | Train | Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Any Ely address | Ely station | Current departure point |
| Destination | Stansted Airport terminal | Stansted Airport station | Current service point |
| Connections | Direct vehicle journey | Cambridge interchange | Interchange required |
| Luggage | Vehicle-dependent | Passenger-managed | Passenger-managed |
| Booking | Pre-bookable | Ticket + timetable | Service-dependent |
| Timing | Road conditions | Timetable-dependent | Timetable and road conditions |
Timetables and fares change — verify the current position directly before you travel.
Q: How do I get from Ely to Stansted Airport?
A: Options include pre-booked private-hire taxi (door-to-door, ~50–65 minutes), train (via Cambridge interchange, ~2 hours with a good connection), bus (connections required, 2.5 hours+), and car (~50–65 minutes). Stansted Airport Taxi provides direct door-to-door transfers from any Ely address.
Q: Is there a train from Ely to Stansted Airport?
A: Yes. A train connection exists via Ely station, typically routing via Cambridge and London Liverpool Street to the Stansted Express. No single direct train runs from Ely to Stansted without interchange. Check nationalrail.co.uk for current timetables.
Q: How long does the train from Ely to Stansted Airport take?
A: With a well-timed connection at Cambridge, approximately 2 hours from Ely station to Stansted Airport station. A less favourable connection adds more. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours minimum including interchange waiting time.
Q: What are the train times from Ely to Stansted Airport?
A: Train times are dynamic — check nationalrail.co.uk with the specific travel date for current departures from Ely toward Cambridge and onward connections to the Stansted Express.
Q: Can I travel from Ely station to Stansted Airport?
A: Yes. From Ely station, services run toward Cambridge. At Cambridge, connect to services toward London Liverpool Street. At Liverpool Street, board the Stansted Express to the airport. Check the specific connection timing on the travel date.
Q: Is there a bus from Ely to Stansted Airport?
A: No direct bus service. Connections via Cambridge or other hubs are possible. Check current local operator routes before planning.
Q: How much is a taxi from Ely to Stansted Airport?
A: Indicative fares for ~35 miles (including the £10 Stansted charge): Saloon £79.00, Estate £81.70, MPV5 £85.90, Executive Saloon £100.00. Fares fixed at booking. Use the calculator at stanstedairport-taxi.com.
Q: How do I get from Stansted Airport to Ely?
A: Pre-booked private hire: our driver meets you in the arrivals hall and transfers directly to Ely. Train: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then Cambridge, then Ely. Book at stanstedairport-taxi.com or call +44 20 3617 7825.
Q: What are the train times from Stansted Airport to Ely?
A: Check nationalrail.co.uk with the specific return date. The standard route is Stansted Express → Liverpool Street → Cambridge → Ely.
Where to go next.
A direct, pre-booked transfer removes the Cambridge interchange uncertainty that comes with rail on this route. Stansted Airport Taxi is a TfL-licensed private-hire operator running fixed-fare transfers from Ely at any hour.
👉 Get your fixed-fare quote in under two minutes — book online or call +44 20 3617 7825.
Find us on Google for directions and reviews.
Prices last updated September 2026 · Last reviewed September 2026 · Next review December 2026 · Stansted Airport Taxi editorial team, operated by QMH Technologies Ltd (Company No. 13506378, registered office 10–16 Tiller Road, London E14 8PX — verified via Companies House; distinct from its Stansted operational base).
Enjoy stress-free travel with our licensed drivers and comfortable vehicles. From quick airport pickups to long-distance journeys, we're available 24/7 with fixed prices and instant confirmation.
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