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East Midlands Railway
Greater Anglia

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Low prices found by our customers
Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

Trains to Manchester from Chelmsford

First train

07:43

Last train

07:43

Departure stationChelmsford
Arrival stationManchester
Journey time

From 4h 26m

Distance

166 miles (267 km)

Changes

3 changes

Price

From £54.50

Train operators

East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, London North Eastern Railway, Thameslink, TransPennine Express

Taking the train from Chelmsford to Manchester in 4 hours 26 minutes

Thinking about taking the train from Chelmsford to Manchester? We've got you covered.

It usually takes around 5 hours 2 minutes to travel the 166 miles (267 km) from Chelmsford to Manchester by train, although you can get there in as little as 4 hours 26 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 0 trains per day running on this route. You'll need to make 3 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You're likely to be travelling with London North Eastern Railway, Greater Anglia or East Midlands Railway to Manchester. As the main train operators on this route, all offer plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating as standard.

Book train tickets from Chelmsford to Manchester in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £54.50. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices in our Journey Planner, for example when you travel at Off-Peak times or use a Railcard.

If you're feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Manchester by train, or check our timetable above to view live train times.

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

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

How much does it cost to get from Chelmsford to Manchester by train?

Train tickets from Chelmsford to Manchester can start from £54.50 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

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

The quickest journey time between Chelmsford and Manchester by train is 4 hours and 26 minutes.

Are there direct trains from Chelmsford to Manchester?

No, there are no direct trains running from Chelmsford to Manchester, you’ll usually need to make at least 3 changes during the journey.

What's the distance between Chelmsford and Manchester by train?

Trains travelling from Chelmsford to Manchester cover a distance of around 166 miles (267 km) during the journey. You can get there in 4 hours and 26 minutes on the fastest services.

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

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 Chelmsford to Manchester start at £54.50§ 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. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 Chelmsford to Manchester 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.

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