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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.

Colchester to London by train

It takes an average of 59m to travel from Colchester to London by train, over a distance of around 51 miles (83 km). There are normally 195 trains per day travelling from Colchester to London and tickets for this journey start from £10 when you book in advance.

First train

03:41

Last train

00:17

Departure station

Colchester

Arrival station

London

Journey time

From 45m

Distance

51 miles (83 km)

Frequency

195 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £10

Train operators

Greater Anglia

Colchester to London train times

Check out the next trains departing from Colchester to London for Tuesday 19th March 2024 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.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
14:01 On timecolchester14:52 On timelondon liverpool streetPlat. 3 greater anglia PeakGet tickets51m, direct
14:12 On timecolchester15:13 On timelondon liverpool streetPlat. 3 greater anglia PeakGet tickets1h 1m, direct
14:30 On timecolchester15:17 On timelondon liverpool streetPlat. 3 greater anglia PeakGet tickets47m, direct
14:33 On timecolchester15:31 On timelondon liverpool streetPlat. 4 greater anglia PeakGet tickets58m, direct
14:43 On timecolchester15:45 On timelondon liverpool streetPlat. 4 greater anglia PeakGet tickets1h 2m, direct

Travelling by train from Colchester to London

Want to find out more about the journey from Colchester to London by train? Look no further! 

If you’re wondering – how far is Colchester from London? The train usually takes around 1h to travel the 51-mile journey from Essex to the capital. The route between Colchester and London is popular, with around 118 trains running each day. Once you’ve boarded the train, you can sit back and relax as you won’t need to make any changes along the way. If you’re travelling on this route, you’ll be on a comfortable Greater Anglia service. Equipped with an onboard Café bar, Greater Anglia’s Intercity trains also have free WiFi connection for passengers. 

If you’re travelling to London for leisure, you have a variety of activities to choose from. Head to Westminster to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Alternatively, take a stroll through one of London’s Royal Parks, such as Regent’s Park, Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park.  

Take the train during Off-Peak times to snap up the cheapest fares. Also, if you’re travelling by train more than a few times per year, get a Railcard and you’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys. 

Keep reading to find out more about the journey from Colchester to London by train, including the timetable, tips on finding cheaper fares and FAQs such as first and last train times. If you’re ready to book, start a search with us today!

Journey details

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

How long does the train from Colchester to London take?

The average journey time by train between Colchester and London is 59 minutes, with around 195 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Colchester and London by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Colchester to London is 45 minutes.

How much does the train from Colchester to London cost?

Train ticket prices from Colchester to London can start from as little as £10 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Colchester to London?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Colchester to London without having to change trains. There are 195 direct trains from Colchester to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Colchester to London leave?

The first train from Colchester to London leaves at 03:41. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Colchester to London leave?

The last train from Colchester to London leaves at 00:17. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Colchester and London by train?

Trains travelling from Colchester to London cover a distance of around 51 miles (83 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London to Colchester.

Cheap train tickets from Colchester to London

Train tickets from Colchester to London start at £10 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 Colchester to London 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.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Day trip to London from Colchester

I decided to take the train from Colchester to London for the day on a Saturday to see some friends. The entire weekend is usually Off-Peak, so it's much cheaper than travelling on the weekdays. I picked up an Anytime Off-Peak return ticket with a Network Railcard for around £18.70 which saved me some money. I make a few journeys around the east of England a year so the £30 railcard cost basically pays itself off after 3 or 4 train journeys.

I rode my bike to Colchester Station as I live fairly close by. They have a big bike lockup area on the platform 4/5 side next to the entrance of the station. The train trip from Colchester to London took about 45 minutes. The train itself was a relatively old Greater Anglia train, but it wasn't too busy so I got a seat.

As you leave Colchester you pass the large golf course on the left-hand side. About 20 minutes later you'll pull into the city of Chelmsford and pass along the impressive viaduct which offers a great view over the city park on both sides of the train.

You then reach the countryside, where you'll find a great view of the green fields from the left side of the train, whilst passing through Ingatestone and Shenfield along the way. As you reach the suburbs of London, the green fields are replaced with the concrete jungle. Just 10 minutes out from London Liverpool Street as you pull out of Stratford Station, get yourself to the right-hand side of the train to see the Olympic Stadium and other famous landmarks in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park site including the Aquatic Centre, ArcellorMittal Orbit viewing platform and the big Westfield shopping centre.

Soon after, I arrived at London Liverpool Street Station. I came into London a bit earlier to do a spot of shopping, so getting to the world-famous Oxford Street was incredibly easy by jumping on the London Underground's Central Line (the red one) at Liverpool Street and heading west only a few stops to Oxford Circus Station. I wandered along Oxford Street checking out the hundreds of high street shops and department stores all in one place, then along the luxurious Regent Street, then on to meet my friends at a great bar in Soho where we settled down to eat and drink the day away before heading back to Colchester on the train in the evening.

Michael's top tip:

If you're into watching the countryside go by or want to see the fountains in the lake at Chelmsford's Central Park, grab a seat on the left towards London. If you want a great view of the Olympic stadium just past Stratford, sit on the right side of the train.

About Michael

Michael, a former Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between Colchester and London.

† 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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