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Trains from Chelmsford to Manchester

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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.
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  3. Chelmsford to Manchester

Chelmsford to Manchester by train

It takes an average of 4h 36m to travel from Chelmsford to Manchester by train, over a distance of around 166 miles (267 km). There are normally 1 train per day travelling from Chelmsford to Manchester and tickets for this journey start from £60 when you book in advance.

First train

09:40

Last train

18:48

Departure station

Chelmsford

Arrival station

Manchester

Journey time

From 4h 21m

Distance

166 miles (267 km)

Frequency

1 train per day

Changes

4 changes

Price

From £60

Train operators

CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, TransPennine Express, Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railway, Thameslink

Taking the train from Chelmsford to Manchester in 4 hours 21 minutes

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

It usually takes around 4 hours 36 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 21 minutes on the fastest services. You'll normally find around 1 train per day running on this route. You'll need to make 4 changes along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line. You're likely to be travelling with Great Western 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 £60.00. 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.

FAQs 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 do you get to Manchester from Chelmsford?

To travel to Manchester from Chelmsford, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 4 hours and 36 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 4 hours and 21 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take the bus from Chelmsford to Manchester. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Chelmsford to Manchester?

Trains from Chelmsford to Manchester take an average of 4 hours and 36 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 4 hours and 21 minutes. You'll usually find 1 train per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

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

Train tickets from Chelmsford to Manchester can start from £60 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 21 minutes.

Cheap train tickets from Chelmsford to Manchester

Train tickets from Chelmsford to Manchester start at £60‡ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Chelmsford to Manchester is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

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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