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Trains from Southampton to Colchester

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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.
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  3. Southampton to Colchester

Trains to Colchester from Southampton

It takes an average of 3h 23m to travel from Southampton to Colchester by train, over a distance of around 120 miles (194 km). There are normally 29 trains per day travelling from Southampton to Colchester and tickets for this journey start from £32.40 when you book in advance.

First train

04:15

Last train

21:20

Departure stationSouthampton
Arrival stationColchester
Journey time

From 2h 50m

Distance

120 miles (194 km)

Frequency

29 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Price

From £32.40

Train operators

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

How to travel from Southampton to Colchester by train

Want to find out more about taking the train from Southampton to Colchester? Look no further.

You'll usually find 29 trains per day running between Southampton and Colchester, which usually take 3 hours 23 minutes to complete the 120 miles (194 km) journey. It can take as little as 2 hours 50 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. Although there aren't any direct services on this line, it's still easy to travel to Colchester by train, you'll just need to make 2 changes along the way. Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia or South Western Railway are the main rail operators on this route, all of which offer modern trains with plenty of space for luggage and comfortable seating.

Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Southampton to Colchester start from £32.40 when you book in advance. Travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard can also help you save.

Keen to book your train tickets to Colchester? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable with live train times above, and tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs further down the page.

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

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

How do you travel to Colchester from Southampton?

To get to Colchester from Southampton, why not take the train? With 29 trains per day and an average journey time of 3 hours and 23 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 Southampton to Colchester by train?

On average, it takes around 3 hours and 23 minutes to travel from Southampton to Colchester by train, although you can get there in 2 hours and 50 minutes on the fastest services. With 29 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 Southampton to Colchester?

The price of a train ticket from Southampton to Colchester can start from as little as £32.40, 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 Southampton to Colchester?

The fastest time a train can travel the 120 miles (194 km) from Southampton to Colchester is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

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

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 Colchester start at £32.40§ 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 Colchester 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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