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Trains from Colchester to Retford

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Great Northern
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.
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Trains to Retford from Colchester

It takes an average of 4h 2m to travel from Colchester to Retford by train, over a distance of around 125 miles (200 km). There are normally 3 trains per day travelling from Colchester to Retford and tickets for this journey start from £46 when you book in advance.

First train

04:40

Last train

19:17

Departure stationColchester
Arrival stationRetford
Journey time

From 3h 5m

Distance

125 miles (200 km)

Frequency

3 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Price

From £46

Train operators

Great Northern, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains, London North Eastern Railway

Take the train from Colchester to Retford in 3 hours 5 minutes

If you want to travel from Colchester to Retford by train, you've come to the right place.

You can expect the journey from Colchester to Retford by train to take around 4 hours 2 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 3 hours 5 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 3 trains per day running on this route, which spans 125 miles (200 km). You'll have to make 1 change along the way on your journey to Retford. You can travel on this route with either London North Eastern Railway, Greater Anglia or Hull Trains. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.

Train tickets from Colchester to Retford start from £46.00 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Travelling during Off-Peak times or using a Railcard can also help you save money on train travel. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.

Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including money-saving tips, or check our timetable above where you can view live train times.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Colchester to Retford?

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

How do you travel to Retford from Colchester?

To get to Retford from Colchester, why not take the train? With 3 trains per day and an average journey time of 4 hours and 2 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 Retford by train?

On average, it takes around 4 hours and 2 minutes to travel from Colchester to Retford by train, although you can get there in 3 hours and 5 minutes on the fastest services. With 3 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How much is the train ticket from Colchester to Retford?

The price of a train ticket from Colchester to Retford can start from as little as £46, depending on the time of day, route and class you book. Train tickets may also be cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day.

How fast can trains travel from Colchester to Retford?

The fastest time a train can travel the 125 miles (200 km) from Colchester to Retford is 3 hours and 5 minutes.

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

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 Colchester to Retford start at £46§ 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 Colchester to Retford 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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