Skip to contentTrainline homepage
ReferralsBusiness

No tickets in your cart.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Manchester to Colchester

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

Open Booking.com in a new tab with places to stay on your trip

CrossCountry
TransPennine Express

Compare prices from hundreds of train and bus companies

Join millions of people who use us every day

Travel to thousands of destinations in 45 countries

TrainlineTrainline is Europe’s Nº 1 destination for train and bus tickets*

Most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe

Visit UNESCO's Great Spa Towns of Europe by train

The top destinations in Europe you absolutely must visit by train

Discover all the places you can go with our Travel Journal ChevronRightChevronRight
  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Manchester to Colchester

Manchester to Colchester by train

It takes an average of 5h 52m to travel from Manchester to Colchester by train, over a distance of around 171 miles (275 km). There are normally 8 trains per day traveling from Manchester to Colchester and tickets for this journey start from $72.61 when you book in advance.

First train

7:25 am

Last train

10:01 pm

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Colchester

Journey time

From 4h 57m

Distance

171 miles (275 km)

Frequency

8 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From $72.61

Train operators

CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway

Travel from Manchester to Colchester by train in 4 hours 57 minutes

If you want to know more about the journey from Manchester to Colchester by train, look no further!

The average journey time from Manchester to Colchester by train is 5 hours 52 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 4 hours 57 minutes. You'll usually find 8 trains per day traveling the 275 km between these two destinations. You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there are no direct services to Colchester.

Book train tickets from Manchester to Colchester in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from $72.61. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices when you search in our Journey Planner.

Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our train schedule where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.

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 8 trains per day and an average journey time of 5 hours and 52 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 52 minutes to travel from Manchester to Colchester by train, although you can get there in 4 hours and 57 minutes on the fastest services. With 8 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How much is the train ticket from Manchester to Colchester?

The price of a train ticket from Manchester to Colchester can start from as little as $72.61, depending on the time of day, route and class you book. Train tickets may also be cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day.

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 4 hours and 57 minutes.

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. Book in advance

Train tickets from Manchester to Colchester start at $72.61§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.

Get a link