East Midlands Railway
Greater Anglia
Looking for the cheapest date to travel?
Within 7 days
Outbound fromWithin 1 month
Outbound fromWithin 3 months
Outbound fromLow prices found by our customers
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 Retford from Colchester
It takes an average of 4h 4m to travel from Colchester to Retford by train, over a distance of around 125 miles (200 km). There are normally 18 trains per day travelling from Colchester to Retford and tickets for this journey start from £33.50 when you book in advance.
| First train | 03:42 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:17 | |
| Departure station | Colchester | |
| Arrival station | Retford | |
| Journey time | From 2h 53m | |
| Distance | 125 miles (200 km) | |
| Frequency | 18 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £33.50 | |
| Train operators | East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains, London North Eastern Railway |
Travel by train from Colchester to Retford
Looking to travel from Colchester to Retford by train? You've come to the right place!
Generally, the train from Colchester to Retford takes around 4 hours 4 minutes, but can take just 2 hours 53 minutes on the fastest services. There are up to 18 trains per day from Colchester to Retford.
You'll need to make 1 change along the way as there aren't any direct services on this line.
London North Eastern Railway, Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railway and Hull Trains trains operate on this route.
Book your ticket from £33.50 for this journey. Booking early is one of the most effective ways to save money.
Start your search for train tickets from Colchester to Retford in our Journey Planner.
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.
Are there any direct trains from Colchester to Retford?
How far is the train ride from Colchester to Retford?
Can I take a flight-free trip from Colchester to Retford?
What is the best way to travel to Retford from Colchester?
What time does the first train run from Colchester to Retford?
How late does the train from Colchester to Retford run?
How many trains go from Colchester to Retford per day?
When do tickets from Colchester to Retford go on sale?
Planning a round trip from Colchester to Retford?
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 £33.50§ 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.