Uber in Cambridge: A Local Guide

A useful guide to Uber in Cambridge in 2024.

Want to know if Uber is in Cambridge, UK? You’ve come to the best place.  I’ve been a Cambridge resident for over 30 years and I don’t have a car, so I’m an expert on independent travel in and around Cambridge. 

You can spend a great day visiting Cambridge, taking in historic colleges and quaint streets.  There’s plenty to see and do, including the quintessentially Cambridge activity of punting on the river.

The good news is that Uber is available in Cambridge.  I’ve used it many times.  Read on to discover what I think of the Uber Cambridge service, the price of Uber in Cambridge, alternative taxi options and other ways to get around Cambridge.

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Is There Uber in Cambridge?

Yes, there is Uber in Cambridge, so you can use it to travel throughout the city or even as far as London Stansted airport.

What’s Uber in Cambridge Like?

Uber is an international brand, from Uber in Madrid to Uber Stockholm, you’ll find Uber in lots of European destinations and Cambridge, UK, is one of them.

I’ve used Uber all over the world, for example Uber in Malta, Uber Glasgow, and I’ve used it in Cambridge since it started in 2016. 

My first impressions of Uber in Cambridge were not good, I had a driver who, despite having a maps app, still managed to go the wrong way.  Not fun when you’re a female travelling on your own in a taxi.

However, I’m pleased to say that since the early days, Uber has improved in Cambridge.  My own experience has been pretty positive.  Uber taxis often have good availability, I typically don’t have to wait more than 10 minutes and I’ve even been able to use Uber to take my beautiful cat to the vets. 

That being said, there have also been a few frustrating times when the Uber has accepted the trip and then cancelled only minutes from my pickup location. 

Overall if the trip requires that I’m somewhere at a specific time I’ll usually pre-book a taxi from one of the local taxi firms in Cambridge listed below.  For more flexible arrival times, I’ll use Uber.

Uber in Cambridge Price in 2024

The cost of getting an Uber varies depending on the service you pick, whether you book in advance and the demand at the time you’re travelling.  So there’s no fixed price for your journey in Cambridge.  However, a typical 20-minute trip costs from around £18.  During surge pricing this will be higher.

As a general guide, these are the standard prices for Uber in Cambridge in 2024 (not including surge pricing at peak times):

• Base fare £2.37
• Minimum fare £3.75
• Per minute £0.14
• Per mile £1.53
• + operating fee (from around £4.63)

See my guide to tipping in the UK for details on how much to tip your taxi driver.

Uber at Cambridge Train Station

Visiting Cambridge from London by train is a popular way to see the city and you can order an Uber to collect you from Cambridge train station. 

Be aware that you’ll need to select a pickup point, as Ubers can’t use the taxi rank.  You could use the Clayton Hotel as your location, as that’s only a one-minute walk from the train station.

There is also a taxi rank right outside the station where licensed taxis wait.

How to Get a Taxi in Cambridge, UK

If you don’t want to use Uber Cambridge, you can get a licensed taxi.  Two local taxi firms in Cambridge that I often use are:

• Panther Taxis

• A1 Cabco

Licensed Cambridge taxis have a have a pale-blue identification plate on the back of the car and a yellow ‘Cambridge licensed taxi’ sign on the top.

There are taxi ranks at the train stations and in the city centre on St Andrew’s Street, Bridge Street, Drummer Street and Sidney Street.  You can also book a taxi in advance by ringing them or by hailing a licensed taxi in the street. 

You should be able to pay by card as taxis usually carry contactless payment machines (double check in advance if you’re unsure).

An alternative ride hailing service, Bolt, also recently became available in Cambridge.  I’ve used it in Cambridge and abroad and found that it’s often a couple of pounds cheaper than Uber.  This might be an introductory perk, so use it before any price increase.

How to Get Around Cambridge

Of course, you don’t have to get an Uber or a taxi at all in Cambridge.  The most iconic way of travelling around the city is actually by bike or by taking a punting tour in Cambridge.

Cambridge is bike friendly, with lots of cycle lanes (although some do stop abruptly) and bike parking.  You can hire a bike from City Cycle Hire.

If cycling isn’t your thing, then there are plenty of buses to take you all over Cambridge.  Stagecoach is one of the main providers and buses #1, #3 and #7 will take you into the centre from the train station, as well as various Park and Ride buses.  There are also the Universal buses, #U1 and #U2, which traverse many of the main University sites (not to be confused with the colleges).

Once you’re in the centre you can walk to many of the best museums in Cambridge or enjoy scenic river walks in Cambridge. There are so many things to do in Cambridge that make it worth visiting.

London Stansted Airport to Cambridge

When it comes to traveling from London Stansted Airport to Cambridge, you want to choose the right mode of transport for you.  While Uber is a convenient option, there are various alternatives to consider based on your preferences and circumstances.

If you’re planning to travel to London on your trip to the UK, check out my detailed guide to using Uber in London.

Uber

The price of Uber is variable depending on the demand and the time of the day, but you can expect to pay from £55 for a one-way trip.  The journey takes about 45 minutes, depending on the traffic.

The main advantage of Uber is that you can choose the type of car you want and you can check the price on the app.  However, you can’t currently reserve in advance for pick up at Stansted Airport, so you may have a long wait at busy times.

Knowing the postcode of your destination is useful if you’re getting an Uber. Find out more about postcodes in the UK with my article on Manchester postcodes.

Private Airport Transfer

If you want a seamless transition from London Stansted airport to Cambridge, private transfer is an great option.  With a private transfer service, a driver waits for you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it.  This eliminates the need to search for your ride in the parking area (which from personal experience can be very stressful).  This hassle-free experience ensures a smooth start to your journey, providing comfort and peace of mind.

Hire a Car

For ultimate flexibility and independence, you can hire a car from Stansted Airport and drive to Cambridge yourself.  Compare prices and book great car rental deals from Discover Cars. Renting a car provides the flexibility to customize your itinerary and explore the surrounding areas of Cambridge at your leisure.

Stansted to Cambridge by train

A more eco-friendly and relaxing way to get from Stansted to Cambridge is to take the train.  There are direct trains from Stansted Airport to Cambridge Station that run every hour.  Train tickets costs from £12.80 when you book in advance and the journey takes 30 minutes.

The downside of taking the train is that it doesn’t run through the night, so if your flight arrives late, you will need to use a different option.

Coach

My least favourite option to get from Stansted to Cambridge is to take the National Express coach.  It’s less comfortable than the train and takes longer.  However, if you’re arriving after the last train has left, it’s a useful option and it can work out cheaper than the train.

Tickets cost from £7.60 one-way, and the journey takes from 45 minutes. 

Is There Uber Eats in Cambridge?

Yes, there is Uber Eats in Cambridge.  So, if you’re feeling hungry you can order a bite to eat direct to your accommodation.

FAQs

Can I Pay with Cash Using Uber Cambridge?

You can’t pay with cash using Uber in Cambridge.  You must enter an electronic method of payment in the Uber app when you set up your account.

What Uber Safety Features Are There?

The Uber app has functionality for you to set up your trusted contacts and share your trip.  The app also allows you to track the vehicle and to check it’s going via the expected route.  You can see the vehicle type and plate before the car arrives, to help you identify the correct vehicle.  

How Much is an Uber from Stansted Airport to Cambridge?

The cost will of an Uber from Stansted Airport to Cambridge varies, depending on demand at the time you travel.  You can expect to pay from £55 for this trip.