Transportation
Getting to Cambridge is straightforward, with several major airports located within a reasonable distance. Once you are in the city, it is easy to navigate on foot or by public transport.
Arriving by Air
Cambridge is served by several London airports. London Stansted (STN) is the closest and most convenient, but other London airports are also well-connected.
London Stansted Airport (STN): This is the nearest international airport to Cambridge, located just 30 miles (48 km) away.
- By Train: The most direct route is the CrossCountry train service, which runs directly from Stansted Airport to Cambridge. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes.
- By Coach: National Express runs a direct coach service from the airport to Cambridge city centre, which takes around 50 minutes.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR): As one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow offers excellent international connections.
- By Train: The quickest way is to take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington station (15 mins), then the London Underground (Circle or Hammersmith & City line) to King’s Cross Station. From King’s Cross, direct trains to Cambridge run frequently and take about 50 minutes.
- By Coach: National Express operates a direct coach service from Heathrow to Cambridge, which is often the simplest option. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW): Located south of London, Gatwick is also well-connected to Cambridge.
- By Train: Take the Gatwick Express or a Thameslink train to London St Pancras International (next to King’s Cross). From there, direct trains to Cambridge take about 50 minutes. The total journey is typically around 1.5 to 2 hours.
London Luton Airport (LTN):
- By Coach: National Express runs a direct coach service that takes about 1.5 hours.
- By Train: Take the Luton DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway station, then a train to London St Pancras International, and change there for a direct train to Cambridge.
Arriving by Train
Cambridge is well-connected to the UK rail network. For booking tickets from anywhere in the UK, a popular option is Trainline. For journey planning, you can also use National Rail Enquiries. The central train station is located about a 20-minute walk from the city centre, with frequent bus services and a taxi rank available. Direct trains from London King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street are frequent.
Getting Around Cambridge
Cambridge is a compact and walkable city, especially the historic centre. For information on local buses, taxis, and getting to the conference venue, please see the details on our Accommodations page.