Cambridge to Stansted Airport Taxi — Fixed Fares, Both Directions
Cambridge to Stansted is 30 road miles via the M11 — one of the most direct airport connections in the region. Fixed fares start at £62.50 in a saloon, with the £10 drop-off charge and all tolls included, and the same price in either direction. This route also has the strongest rail alternative of any we operate, and we would rather explain the crossover honestly than hide it: three or more passengers, luggage, or an early departure is where a transfer earns its cost over the train.
Cambridge to Stansted Airport at a Glance
Cambridge sits closer to Stansted than central London does — 30 road miles against roughly 40 — and the connection is unusually direct. The M11 runs straight between the two with no cross-country section and no M25. That simplicity shows in the journey time, which has one of the narrowest ranges of any Stansted origin: a good run and a bad run differ by around 20 minutes, where a west London journey can differ by an hour.
Cambridge to Stansted Airport
We collect from any Cambridge address — college, home, hotel, science park or station — and take you direct to the Stansted terminal. The £10 drop-off charge is already in your fare with nothing to pay at the kerb.
For early-morning flights, this is where a transfer earns its cost most clearly. A 06:30 departure typically needs a pickup around 03:30, when no train or coach runs at either end. We collect at any hour at the same fare — no night premium applies.
Tell us your flight time rather than a pickup time and we work backwards from the bag drop deadline, building in journey time at the upper end and a planning buffer.
Stansted Airport to Cambridge
On arrivals, we monitor your inbound flight and set the driver's arrival against the actual landing time. A two-hour delay means the driver arrives two hours later — at no extra charge and without any action from you.
Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name board, helps with luggage, and drives you directly to Cambridge. 45 to 60 minutes of free waiting is included from landing — covering passport control and baggage reclaim at Stansted's single terminal.
The return leg is where a transfer earns most on this route for night arrivals. The Cambridge rail service does not run through the night, and a flight landing after 00:30 leaves you with no train option. A pre-booked car does not have a last departure.
How Much Is a Taxi from Cambridge to Stansted Airport?
The fare is a minimum covering the first 5 miles, then a per-mile rate for every mile beyond — both by vehicle class. At 30 miles the split is almost even: 48% is the minimum and 52% is the per-mile element. That balance is what makes Cambridge a genuine decision point against rail, where a very short or very long journey would not be.
Saloon fare split — 30 miles, £62.50 total
Rate Card by Vehicle Class
| Vehicle class | Model | Passengers | Min fare (first 5 mi) | Per mile after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Prius / Passat | 1–3 | £30.00 | £1.30 |
| Estate | Passat Estate | Up to 4 | £31.20 | £1.35 |
| MPV5 | — | Up to 5 | £33.00 | £1.43 |
| MPV6 | — | Up to 6 | £34.50 | £1.50 |
| MPV7 | — | Up to 7 | £37.50 | £1.63 |
| MPV8 | Mercedes Vito | Up to 8 | £39.00 | £1.69 |
| Executive | Mercedes E-Class | 1–3 | £36.00 | £1.80 |
| Exec MPV | V-Class | Up to 6 | £42.00 | £2.10 |
Fixed Fares — Cambridge to Stansted (30 miles)
| Vehicle class | Passengers | Luggage | Fixed fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 1–3 | 2 large cases | £62.50 |
| Estate | Up to 4 | 3–4 large cases | £64.95 |
| MPV5 | Up to 5 | 5 cases | £68.75 |
| MPV6 | Up to 6 | 5–6 cases | £72.00 |
| MPV7 | Up to 7 | 7 cases | £78.25 |
| MPV8 | Up to 8 | 8 cases | £81.25 |
| Executive | 1–3 | 2 cases | £81.00 |
| Exec MPV | Up to 6 | 5 cases | £94.50 |
Fixed at booking. £10 drop-off charge, road tolls and free child seats included. Prices last updated August 2026.
Taxi vs Train from Cambridge to Stansted
This route has the strongest rail alternative of any we operate. Up to two direct trains an hour, around 47 services a day, 30 to 35 minutes station to station from around £9.50. We will not pretend otherwise — and this is the page that explains exactly when rail wins and when we do.
The crossover falls at three passengers. Below three, the train is cheaper per head and we would say so. At three and above, a single vehicle costs less per head than separate rail fares — and the gap widens with every additional passenger. That calculation is before luggage, before the walk to Cambridge station, and before the question of what runs at 03:30.
Per-Head Cost vs Direct Rail (approx £9.50)
| Passengers | Vehicle & fare | Per head (taxi) | Per head (rail ~£9.50) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saloon £62.50 | £62.50 | £9.50 | Train wins |
| 2 | Saloon £62.50 | £31.25 | £19.00 | Train wins |
| 3 | Saloon £62.50 | £20.83 | £28.50 | Crossover |
| 4 | Saloon £62.50 | £15.63 | £38.00 | Taxi wins |
| 5 | MPV5 £68.75 | £13.75 | £47.50 | Taxi wins |
| 6 | MPV6 £72.00 | £12.00 | £57.00 | Taxi wins |
| 8 | MPV8 £81.25 | £10.16 | £76.00 | Taxi wins |
Rail fare approximate at £9.50 per person one way. Taxi fare is one fixed price shared across all passengers. Crossover calculated at the point where per-head taxi cost falls below per-head rail cost.
Our Honest Position — When to Book, When to Take the Train
You are one or two people travelling light, starting near Cambridge station, travelling in daylight, heading to a mid-morning flight. The train is cheaper and comparable on time — we would rather say so than lose your trust.
You are three or more passengers, carrying airport cases, starting from a college or science park address, travelling before dawn when no train runs, or arriving on a late flight after the last service has gone.
No train runs between roughly 00:30 and 05:30 at the Stansted end. A 06:30 flight means leaving Cambridge around 03:30. That window — and any late arrival — is the strongest practical case for a pre-booked car on this route.
Where We Collect From in Cambridge
Any Cambridge address. Central Cambridge has access restrictions in places, so we may agree a nearby pickup point for some addresses — contact us when booking if your address has restrictions.
Give us the full postcode. Central Cambridge has access restrictions in places, so a full postcode allows us to confirm or agree an alternative pickup point before the journey.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Size by luggage rather than seats. Four adults fit a saloon; four adults with four airport cases do not. On this shorter route the difference in fare between a saloon and an estate is modest — the right choice is the one where everyone's cases fit.
For university travel at the start or end of term, luggage volumes typically decide the class. For corporate travel from the science parks, executive vehicles and corporate accounts are available. Full capacities on our fleet pages.
Book Your Cambridge to Stansted Transfer
Online through the 24/7 system or by phone. Book ahead for larger vehicles and peak travel dates. Same-day is possible subject to availability.
Give Us Your Journey Details
Full Cambridge postcode or college name, flight time, passengers and cases. We calculate the pickup time from the flight, not the other way round.
Receive the Fixed Fare
Vehicle class and all-inclusive fixed price confirmed immediately — via 24/7 booking online or by calling +44 20 3617 7825.
Written Confirmation
Pickup time, vehicle class and fixed fare confirmed in writing. Driver details follow before the journey. Amend any time via contact us.
Direct to the Terminal
Driver collects at your exact address, loads luggage, and takes you direct to Stansted — no other pickups, no changes, £10 drop-off already covered.
Call +44 20 3617 7825 · [email protected] · TfL-licensed, DBS-checked · 24/7/365
Cambridge to Stansted Airport Taxi — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much is a taxi from Cambridge to Stansted Airport?
A: £62.50 in a saloon, fixed at booking — a £30.00 minimum covering the first 5 miles plus £1.30 per mile for the remaining 25. Larger vehicles range to £94.50 for an Executive MPV.
Q: How far is Cambridge from Stansted Airport?
A: 30 road miles, which makes Cambridge closer to Stansted than central London is. The route is the M11 southbound with no cross-country section.
Q: How long does Cambridge to Stansted take?
A: 40 to 50 minutes in normal conditions, and just over an hour at peak. The range is narrower than most Stansted routes because there is only one exposed road section.
Q: Is the train cheaper than a taxi from Cambridge to Stansted?
A: For one or two people, yes — fares start around £9.50 with up to two direct trains an hour. The crossover falls at three passengers, above which a single vehicle costs less per head.
Q: Is there a direct train from Cambridge to Stansted Airport?
A: Yes, up to twice hourly on weekdays with around 47 services a day, operated by Greater Anglia and CrossCountry. It is the strongest rail alternative of any Stansted route.
Q: Can you collect for an early morning flight?
A: Yes, at any hour with no night premium. A 06:30 flight typically means a pickup around 03:30, when no train runs at either end.
Q: Do you collect from Cambridge colleges?
A: Yes, from college addresses and porters' lodges where access permits. Central Cambridge has restrictions in places, so we may agree a nearby pickup point.
Q: What happens if my return flight is delayed?
A: We watch the flight and move the pickup to match your landing, with 45 to 60 minutes free waiting. No rebooking fee applies.
Q: Do you run the return journey from Stansted to Cambridge?
A: Yes, at the same fixed-fare basis in both directions. We monitor your inbound flight, meet you in the arrivals hall with a name board, and allow 45 to 60 minutes of free waiting after you land — which matters on a route where the last train has gone by 00:30.
Q: How much per person for a group of eight?
A: £81.25 in an MPV8, which is £10.16 per person door to door — below any rail fare on this route, in one vehicle with luggage handled.
Q: Do you cover Cambridge science parks?
A: Yes, including the Science Park, Business Park, Biomedical Campus and Granta Park, with corporate accounts available for regular business travel.
Q: Is the Stansted drop-off charge included?
A: Yes, the £10 charge is covered in your fixed fare, with nothing to pay at the kerb.
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