Great Western Railway
Greater Anglia
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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.
Trains to Reading from Chelmsford
It takes an average of 2h 12m to travel from Chelmsford to Reading by train, over a distance of around 65 miles (104 km). There are normally 102 trains per day travelling from Chelmsford to Reading and tickets for this journey start from £23.80 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 23:16 | |
| Departure station | Chelmsford | |
| Arrival station | Reading | |
| Journey time | From 1h 30m | |
| Distance | 65 miles (104 km) | |
| Frequency | 102 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £23.80 | |
| Train operators | Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway |
Trains to Reading from Chelmsford
Want to travel from Chelmsford to Reading by train? Start your journey with us.
It takes an average of 2 hours 12 minutes to travel from Chelmsford to Reading by train. You'll find on average 102 trains per day running on this route.
There aren't any direct services on this line, but it's still easy to travel to Reading by train; you'll need to make 1 change.
Trains on this route are operated by Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia and South Western Railway.
The journey from Chelmsford to Reading starts at £23.80. Generally, booking Advance train tickets works out cheaper.
See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Chelmsford to Reading?
Want to know more about your journey from Chelmsford to Reading? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Chelmsford to Reading?
What's the distance between Chelmsford and Reading by train?
Can you travel from Chelmsford to Reading without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Reading from Chelmsford?
What time is the first train from Chelmsford to Reading?
What time is the last train from Chelmsford to Reading?
How often do trains go from Chelmsford to Reading?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Chelmsford to Reading?
Is there a return trip from Chelmsford to Reading?
How do I find cheap train tickets from Chelmsford to Reading?
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 Reading start at £23.80§ 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 Reading 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.