Skip to contentTrainline homepage
RailcardsBusiness

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Bedford to Chelmsford

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

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

East Midlands Railway
Greater Anglia

Compare prices from over 270 rail and coach companies in Europe

Icon of trainline-phone-tickets.svg

Buy your tickets with us and easily find them on your phone

Icon of trainline-safe-payments.svg

Safely pay with PayPal, Visa and all international payment cards

  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Bedford to Chelmsford

Trains to Chelmsford from Bedford

First train

02:42

Last train

02:14

Departure stationBedford
Arrival stationChelmsford
Journey time

From 1h 52m

Distance

49 miles (79 km)

Frequency

61 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Train operators

East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Southeastern, Thameslink

What are the train times from Bedford to Chelmsford?

Check out the next trains departing from Bedford to Chelmsford for Tuesday 20th October 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
11:4013:341h 54m, 3 changes
12:1014:081h 58m, 2 changes
12:1614:272h 11m, 2 changes
12:4014:341h 54m, 3 changes
13:1015:081h 58m, 2 changes
13:1615:272h 11m, 2 changes
13:4015:341h 54m, 3 changes
14:1016:081h 58m, 2 changes
14:4116:351h 54m, 3 changes
15:1017:021h 52m, 2 changes

Travelling from Bedford to Chelmsford by train

If you're planning to travel from Bedford to Chelmsford, we're here to help!

On average, the train journey from Bedford to Chelmsford takes around 2 hours 38 minutes. There are normally 61 trains per day travelling from Bedford to Chelmsford.

You'll have to make 2 changes on your journey to Chelmsford, as there are no direct trains.

Trains on this route are operated by Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railway, Southeastern and Thameslink.

Save money on your train tickets by booking in advance.

Use our Journey Planner to compare ticket prices and find the cheapest fares.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Bedford to Chelmsford?

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

How do you get to Chelmsford from Bedford?

To travel to Chelmsford from Bedford, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 2 hours and 38 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 1 hour and 52 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Bedford to Chelmsford?

Trains from Bedford to Chelmsford take an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 1 hour and 52 minutes. You'll usually find 61 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

What is the quickest journey time between Bedford and Chelmsford by train?

The quickest journey time between Bedford and Chelmsford by train is 1 hour and 52 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Bedford to Chelmsford?

No, there are no direct trains running from Bedford to Chelmsford, you’ll usually need to make at least 2 changes during the journey.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Bedford to Chelmsford?

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. Use a Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel throughout the year. Buy one with us and you'll be able to store it digitally in our app, so you'll always have it on your travels.

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 in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

5. Consider a Season Ticket

Best for commuters, if you catch a train on the same route more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly, weekly and flexi options available, find out if a Season Ticket for Bedford to Chelmsford is right for you.

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.
† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

Looking for more ideas?

Europe’s leading train and coach app

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

Get a link