Ely is easy to reach by rail — it sits at a junction of several lines and has good direct services to Cambridge (15 minutes), London King's Cross (75 minutes), Peterborough, Norwich, and Birmingham. The railway station is about a 10-minute walk from the cathedral. By car, Ely is about 15 miles north of Cambridge on the A10.
The city is small enough that everything of interest is within easy walking distance of the station. No car is needed once you arrive.