The most direct way from Heathrow to Cambridge is the National Express coach, running from £14.70 one-way with a fastest journey time of 2 hours 15 minutes, calling at both Heathrow terminals before running via Stansted Airport to Cambridge. There is no direct train, so rail travel means changing in London, and a pre-booked taxi covers the roughly 71-mile trip in around 1 hour 38 minutes at a higher, indicative fixed price, checked 2026.
Coach: Heathrow to Cambridge with National Express
Two National Express services link Heathrow directly to Cambridge, both routed via Stansted Airport on the way:
- Price: from £14.70 one-way, booked in advance
- Journey time: fastest journey 2 hours 15 minutes
- 727 service: up to 7 times a day, calling at Heathrow Terminal 5, Heathrow Terminal 2, Stansted Airport, Cambridge (Trumpington Park & Ride) and Cambridge Parkside in the city centre
- 728 service: up to 2 times a day, following the same stops as the 727
- First and last departures: around 7:35am and 11:30pm
Because both services also stop at Stansted Airport en route, the coach can be a useful option if you have a connecting flight from Stansted rather than a final destination in Cambridge itself.
Train: Heathrow to Cambridge
There is no direct rail line between Heathrow and Cambridge. The practical route by train is the Elizabeth line into central London, followed by a connecting service to Cambridge from a central London terminus such as King's Cross. This adds at least one change and a second ticket to your journey, and total time and cost depend heavily on your connection, so check live times and fares on National Rail before you travel rather than assuming a fixed combined price.
Taxi: Heathrow to Cambridge
A private transfer from Heathrow to Cambridge is indicatively priced from around £149 for a saloon car, covering the roughly 71-mile, 1 hour 38 minute drive, based on current private-hire listings that include free flight tracking and meet-and-greet at arrivals. This is a single operator's published fixed fare rather than an official through-fare, so confirm the exact price and vehicle size with your chosen operator when you book, since larger vehicles for groups or extra luggage cost more.
Comparison: Heathrow to Cambridge
| Coach (727/728) | Train (via London) | Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From £14.70 | Varies, check National Rail | From around £149 (indicative) |
| Journey time | 2 hrs 15 mins | Varies with connection | Around 1 hr 38 mins |
| Changes | None | At least one | None |
| Stops en route | Stansted Airport | Central London | None |
Which option should I choose?
The coach is the clear value choice for most travellers, running direct from both main Heathrow terminal areas without a change, at a fraction of the taxi price. It is a particularly good option if your journey also involves Stansted Airport. Choose a pre-booked taxi if you are carrying heavy luggage, travelling as a group where the cost splits well, or need to reach a specific address in Cambridge outside the city centre rather than the Parkside stop. The train is rarely the fastest or cheapest option on this specific route given the lack of a direct line, so it mainly suits travellers already changing in London for another reason.
Does the coach stop at both Heathrow terminals?
Yes. Both the 727 and 728 services call at Heathrow Terminal 5 and then Heathrow Terminal 2, so passengers from either terminal area can board directly without needing to transfer to a different bus station first, unlike some other Heathrow coach routes that depart from a single central point.
How much luggage can I bring on the coach?
National Express allows one large suitcase, or two medium cases, plus one soft hand luggage item per passenger on its coaches. If your flight luggage allowance differs from this, check both against each other before you travel to avoid being caught out at either end of the journey.
For other Heathrow coach routes, see our guides to Heathrow to Oxford and Heathrow to Bath. If you're considering the train into central London first, check our Heathrow by train, tube and coach guide and main routes page. For comparing taxi options generally, see our Heathrow taxis guide.