Skip to contentTrainline homepage
RailcardsBusiness

No tickets in your basket.

Why not plan a trip?

My Bookings
Loading...
Loading...

Trains from Colchester to Plymouth

Booking.com

ExternalLinkExternalLink

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

CrossCountry
Great Western Railway

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. Colchester to Plymouth

Trains to Plymouth from Colchester

First train

03:30

Last train

23:37

Departure stationColchester
Arrival stationPlymouth
Journey time

From 4h 32m

Distance

242 miles (390 km)

Frequency

59 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Train operators

CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway

What are the train times from Colchester to Plymouth?

Check out the next trains departing from Colchester to Plymouth for Tuesday 10th November 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
11:3016:134h 43m, 2 changes
12:3017:124h 42m, 2 changes
13:3018:174h 47m, 2 changes
14:3019:204h 50m, 2 changes
15:0020:155h 15m, 2 changes
15:3020:204h 50m, 2 changes
16:3021:124h 42m, 2 changes
17:0222:105h 8m, 2 changes
17:3022:184h 48m, 2 changes
18:3023:375h 7m, 2 changes

Travelling from Colchester to Plymouth by train

If you're planning to travel from Colchester to Plymouth, we're here to help!

On average, the train journey from Colchester to Plymouth takes around 7 hours 3 minutes. There are normally 59 trains per day travelling from Colchester to Plymouth.

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

Trains on this route are operated by Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway and CrossCountry.

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 Colchester to Plymouth?

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

How do you travel to Plymouth from Colchester?

To get to Plymouth from Colchester, why not take the train? With 59 trains per day and an average journey time of 7 hours and 3 minutes, taking the train is a great way to travel. See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

How long does it take to get from Colchester to Plymouth by train?

On average, it takes around 7 hours and 3 minutes to travel from Colchester to Plymouth by train, although you can get there in 4 hours and 32 minutes on the fastest services. With 59 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How fast can trains travel from Colchester to Plymouth?

The fastest time a train can travel the 242 miles (390 km) from Colchester to Plymouth is 4 hours and 32 minutes.

Are there any direct trains from Colchester to Plymouth?

There are no direct trains that run between Colchester and Plymouth. You’ll need to make at least 2 changes along the way.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Colchester to Plymouth?

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 Colchester to Plymouth 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