TrainlineTrainline is Europe’s leading platform for train and bus tickets

Southend Airport to Colchester by train

First train

04:06

Last train

22:59

Departure station

Southend Airport

Arrival station

Colchester

Journey time

From 1h 6m

Distance

24 miles (39 km)

Frequency

41 trains per day

Changes

1 change

Train operators

Greater Anglia

How to travel from Southend Airport to Colchester by train

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

You'll usually find 41 trains per day running between Southend Airport and Colchester, which usually take 1 hour 24 minutes to complete the 24 miles (39 km) journey. It can take as little as 1 hour 6 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 1 change along the way. Greater Anglia trains are the main operator of services on this route, so you're likely to travel with them for all or at least part of your journey to Colchester.

Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices – we'll show you how much you can save on train tickets from Southend Airport to Colchester if 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.

Journey details

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

How long does the train from Southend Airport to Colchester take?

The average journey time by train between Southend Airport and Colchester is 1 hour and 24 minutes, with around 41 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Southend Airport and Colchester by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Southend Airport to Colchester is 1 hour and 6 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Southend Airport to Colchester?

No, there are no direct train services from Southend Airport to Colchester. Travelling from Southend Airport to Colchester by train will require a minimum of 1 change.

What time does the first train from Southend Airport to Colchester leave?

The first train from Southend Airport to Colchester leaves at 04:06. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Southend Airport to Colchester leave?

The last train from Southend Airport to Colchester leaves at 22:59. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Southend Airport and Colchester by train?

Trains travelling from Southend Airport to Colchester cover a distance of around 24 miles (39 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Colchester to Southend Airport.

Cheap train tickets from Southend Airport to Colchester

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Southend Airport to Colchester is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

† 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.

Europe’s leading train and coach app

We help customers across Europe make more than 172,000 smarter journeys every day.