- Must visit
Colchester Castle Museum
Major local-history museum in Colchester Castle, mixing archaeology and interactive displays inside one of England’s great Norman keeps.
Cheapest price on Sep 05
$15
Average ticket price on Sep 05
$15
Fastest journey on Sep 05
29 m
Average journey duration on Sep 05
29 m
Trains on Sep 05
1
Distance
17 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chelmsford to Braintree is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chelmsford to Braintree will cost around $15 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $15.
On Sat, Sep 05, we found 1 trains from Chelmsford to Braintree, including 1 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 05 the direct trains cover the 17 km distance in an average of 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 29 m .
On Sat, Sep 05 the slowest trains will take 29 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chelmsford to Braintree among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 59m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $15, while a train costs an average of $15.
Distance: 10 miles (17 km)
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
$15 Average price Cheapest | $5 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
59m Average total duration Fastest 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Other travel options to Braintree take longer:
Bus takes on average 40m.
Tickets start at around $15 compared to roughly $5 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-10.96. The journey takes 29m versus 27m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Chelmsford to Braintree trains for today, Friday, September 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P66574 | Delayed 4:15 PM 5:10 PMChelmsford station (CHM) | 0h28 | 4:41 PM 4:41 PMBraintree station (BTR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66583 | On time 5:55 PM Chelmsford station (CHM) | 0h29 | 6:24 PM Braintree station (BTR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66594 | On time 6:41 PM Chelmsford station (CHM) | 0h32 | 7:13 PM Braintree station (BTR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66603 | On time 7:23 PM Chelmsford station (CHM) | 0h35 | 7:58 PM Braintree station (BTR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66611 | On time 8:22 PM Chelmsford station (CHM) | 0h30 | 8:52 PM Braintree station (BTR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
P66615 | On time 9:22 PM Chelmsford station (CHM) | 0h29 | 9:51 PM Braintree station (BTR) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, September 5 | |||||
![]() | 10:22 AM Chelmsford | 0h29 | 10:51 AM Braintree | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Chelmsford to Braintree run on average 7 times per day, taking around 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $15 if you book in advance.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:38, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 10 miles (17 km) distance in 29m.
Distance 10 miles (17 km) |
Average train duration 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $15 |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 29m |
First train 5:38 AM |
Last train 11:56 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Braintree — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Braintree trip today.
Major local-history museum in Colchester Castle, mixing archaeology and interactive displays inside one of England’s great Norman keeps.
Award-winning museum in a former school, exploring Braintree District history through archaeology, industry, and changing local life.
Textile museum at Warner & Sons’ former site, showcasing silk design, weaving, and interiors that shaped Braintree’s global reputation.
Popular shopping and leisure destination on the former Freeport site, practical for visitors and one of Braintree’s busiest modern areas.
Linear public park and trail following the old railway, ideal for easy walks, wildlife spotting, and seeing a greener side of Braintree.
Large town park with gardens, open lawns, and events space, great for a relaxed break close to the center.
A traditional Essex county dish of slow-cooked beef, onions and root vegetables. It reflects the farming heritage of the area and is classic local comfort food.
Fresh Colchester Native oysters from nearby Essex coast waters. They are prized for their mineral, briny flavour and are one of the county's best-known foods.
Locally grown asparagus from the Essex countryside, usually served simply with butter or in spring dishes. It is a seasonal regional favourite.
Established gastropub in Braintree known for polished British dishes, steaks and a stylish but relaxed setting.
Popular traditional pub venue in Braintree Village serving British mains and drinks in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.
Well-known local Italian restaurant with a long-standing reputation for pizza, pasta and friendly service in central Braintree.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while rail fares and taxis can still add up for visitors.
Service is sometimes included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Round up for taxis. Café tipping is optional.
Official public transport app
Braintree Railway Station -> George Yard Shopping Centre, Braintree
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chelmsford to Braintree by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Braintree, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chelmsford to Braintree trains use the Chelmsford to Braintree station pair, with some services arriving at Braintree Freeport. Use this guide to compare Chelmsford and Braintree train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Chelmsford has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Chelmsford.
Wi-Fi is available at Chelmsford. ATMs are available at Chelmsford.
Ticket office support is available at Chelmsford.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Chelmsford: Parking, WC.
Available at Chelmsford: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Chelmsford: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Braintree has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Braintree.
Wi-Fi is available at Braintree.
Ticket office support is available at Braintree. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Braintree: Parking, WC.
Available at Braintree: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Braintree: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Braintree Freeport is 1 km from Braintree city centre. Public transport options include:
Braintree Freeport has practical services for this route, including Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Braintree Freeport.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Braintree Freeport: Parking.
Available at Braintree Freeport: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Braintree Freeport: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need