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Trains from Manchester to Colchester

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Manchester to Colchester

Manchester to Colchester by train

First train

3:32 am

Last train

1:48 am

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Colchester

Journey time

From 3h 41m

Distance

171 miles (275 km)

Frequency

146 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, London North Eastern Railway, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales

What are the train times from Manchester to Colchester?

Check out the next trains departing from Manchester to Colchester for Tuesday Oct 27th 2026 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
11:54 am3:46 pm3h 52m, 2 changes
12:14 pm4:13 pm3h 59m, 2 changes
12:34 pm4:16 pm3h 42m, 2 changes
12:54 pm4:45 pm3h 51m, 2 changes
1:14 pm5:11 pm3h 57m, 2 changes
1:34 pm5:17 pm3h 43m, 2 changes
1:54 pm5:58 pm4h 4m, 2 changes
2:14 pm6:15 pm4h 1m, 2 changes
2:34 pm6:19 pm3h 45m, 2 changes
2:54 pm6:49 pm3h 55m, 2 changes

Traveling by train from Manchester to Colchester

Want to travel from Manchester to Colchester by train? Start your journey with us.

It takes 5 hours 39 minutes on average to travel from Manchester to Colchester by train. There are around 146 trains per day on this route.

There are no direct trains on this route; there are 1 change along the journey.

If you want cheaper tickets, it's often a good idea to book in advance.

Our Journey Planner is the place to find the latest times, tickets and prices.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Manchester to Colchester?

Want to know more about your journey from Manchester to Colchester? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you travel to Colchester from Manchester?

To get to Colchester from Manchester, why not take the train? With 146 trains per day and an average journey time of 5 hours and 39 minutes, taking the train is a great way to travel. See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

How long does it take to get from Manchester to Colchester by train?

On average it takes around 5 hours and 39 minutes to travel from Manchester to Colchester by train, although you can get there in 3 hours and 41 minutes on the fastest services. With 146 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How fast can trains travel from Manchester to Colchester?

The fastest time a train can travel the 171 miles (275 km) from Manchester to Colchester is 3 hours and 41 minutes.

Are there any direct trains from Manchester to Colchester?

There are no direct trains that run between Manchester and Colchester. You’ll need to make around 1 change along the way.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Colchester?

Planning a trip to the UK soon? As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

2. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will ‘split’ your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

3. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper than Anytime tickets in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

§Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

If you're like us, you've probably seen the sheer number of ticket types available in the UK and wondered "Why are there so many?!" To help, we've put together a handy guide to the main UK ticket types, simply tap the one you’re interested in to find out more.

Advance train tickets

Single tickets released ahead of time for a specific time and date. Generally, the sooner you book, the cheaper these tickets are likely to be.

Anytime train tickets

Flexible tickets that allow you to travel at any time of the day. Perfect if you have to be somewhere but aren’t sure for how long.

First Class train tickets

Fancy traveling in style? Enjoy perks like more spacious seating, complimentary refreshments and lounge access with First Class train tickets.

GroupSave train tickets

Save up to 1/3 when traveling with a group of 3 to 9 people on eligible single or return journeys at Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak times.

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets

Available at quieter times of the day, Off-Peak tickets offer the flexibility of traveling at any time during the Off-Peak window and discounted fares.

Return train tickets

Return tickets combine your outward and return journey into a single ticket. Choose from a Day or Open Return ticket for more flexibility on travel dates.

Family train tickets

Traveling with your family? There are plenty of family offers to help you save money, including Kids for a Quid tickets for children aged 5-15 and Off-Peak Family Travelcards.

* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.

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