CrossCountry
Great Western Railway
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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.
Trains to Chelmsford from Southampton
It takes an average of 3h 15m to travel from Southampton to Chelmsford by train, over a distance of around 99 miles (159 km). There are normally 103 trains per day travelling from Southampton to Chelmsford and tickets for this journey start from £15.40 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:08 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:08 | |
| Departure station | Southampton | |
| Arrival station | Chelmsford | |
| Journey time | From 2h 25m | |
| Distance | 99 miles (159 km) | |
| Frequency | 103 trains per day | |
| Changes | 2 changes | |
| Price | From £15.40 | |
| Train operators | CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, London Overground, South Western Railway, Southern, Thameslink |
What are the train times from Southampton to Chelmsford?
Get from Southampton to Chelmsford in as little as 2 hours 25 minutes on the fastest trains, so you can make the most of your time.
The average train journey from Southampton to Chelmsford takes around 3 hours 15 minutes. There are around 103 trains that operate on this route daily.
As there are no direct trains between Southampton and Chelmsford, you'll need to make 2 changes.
Trains on this route are operated by Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway and Thameslink.
Tickets for this journey start from £15.40. 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 Southampton to Chelmsford?
Want to know more about your journey from Southampton to Chelmsford? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Southampton to Chelmsford?
What's the distance between Southampton and Chelmsford by train?
Can you travel from Southampton to Chelmsford without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Chelmsford from Southampton?
What time is the first train from Southampton to Chelmsford?
What time is the last train from Southampton to Chelmsford?
How often do trains go from Southampton to Chelmsford?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Southampton to Chelmsford?
Is there a return trip from Southampton to Chelmsford?
How do I find cheap train tickets from Southampton 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 Southampton to Chelmsford start at £15.40§ 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 Southampton 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.