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Trains from Manchester to Chelmsford

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Avanti West Coast
Chiltern Railways

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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.
  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Manchester to Chelmsford

Trains to Chelmsford from Manchester

It takes an average of 5h 28m to travel from Manchester to Chelmsford by train, over a distance of around 166 miles (267 km). There are normally 162 trains per day travelling from Manchester to Chelmsford and tickets for this journey start from £49.20 when you book in advance.

First train

03:32

Last train

00:20

Departure stationManchester
Arrival stationChelmsford
Journey time

From 3h 21m

Distance

166 miles (267 km)

Frequency

162 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Price

From £49.20

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Grand Central Railway, Greater Anglia, London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, Thameslink, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales

What are the train times from Manchester to Chelmsford?

Get from Manchester to Chelmsford in as little as 3 hours 21 minutes on the fastest trains, so you can make the most of your time.

The average train journey from Manchester to Chelmsford takes around 5 hours 28 minutes. There are around 162 trains that operate on this route daily.

As there are no direct trains between Manchester and Chelmsford, you'll need to make 2 changes.

Trains on this route are operated by London North Eastern Railway, Avanti West Coast, Lumo and Greater Anglia.

Tickets for this journey start from £49.20. Booking in advance often results in cheaper ticket prices.

With our Journey Planner, you can check live train times, compare prices and check routes.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Manchester to Chelmsford?

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

How do you get to Chelmsford from Manchester?

To travel to Chelmsford from Manchester, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 5 hours and 28 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 3 hours and 21 minutes. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Manchester to Chelmsford?

Trains from Manchester to Chelmsford take an average of 5 hours and 28 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 3 hours and 21 minutes. You'll usually find 162 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

How much does it cost to get from Manchester to Chelmsford by train?

Train tickets from Manchester to Chelmsford can start from £49.20 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

What is the quickest journey time between Manchester and Chelmsford by train?

The quickest journey time between Manchester and Chelmsford by train is 3 hours and 21 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Chelmsford?

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 Manchester to Chelmsford start at £49.20§ 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 Manchester to Chelmsford 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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