Cambridge sits about 30 miles north of Stansted, straight down the M11. There is a train, but it is not the frequent, fast link the distance suggests. Here is the honest comparison.
The train, realistically
CrossCountry runs Cambridge to Stansted Airport directly, but services are roughly hourly and the journey is around 30–40 minutes — before you add getting to Cambridge station, parking or dropping off, and waiting for the right departure. Miss one and the next is an hour away, which is uncomfortable against a check-in deadline.
The car, realistically
Door to terminal is a single 40–55 minute run down the M11, at any hour, with no waiting for a service and no luggage changes. For two or more people the fixed fare is usually competitive with two or more train tickets, and for an early flight it is the only dependable option — see Cambridge to Stansted fixed fares.
Which to choose
- Solo, daytime, light bags, flexible: the train is fine and cheap.
- Two or more, or luggage, or an early/late flight: the car wins on cost-per-head, time and certainty.
- Tight connection: the car — you control the departure time, not the timetable.
Planning an early one? Read surviving a 4am Stansted flight. Coming from elsewhere in the region, see Herts & Cambridge to Stansted and the wider Essex to Stansted guide.