Edinburgh to Colchester train with London North Eastern Railway

Sun, Sep 20
+ Add return
London North Eastern Railway
Lumo
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
2,000+ travel companies
London North Eastern Railway
Lumo
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Edinburgh to Colchester

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for Sep 20

Cheapest price on Sep 20

$130

Average ticket price on Sep 20

$132

Fastest journey on Sep 20

6 h 16 m

Average journey duration on Sep 20

6 h 20 m

Trains on Sep 20

3

Distance

525 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Edinburgh to Colchester will cost around $132 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $130.

Fast trains

On Sun, Sep 20, we found 3 trains from Edinburgh to Colchester, including 3 direct services.

On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 525 km distance in an average of 6 h 20 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 16 m .

On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 6 h 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.

  • London North Eastern Railway
    8:55 AM6h16
    Edinburgh
    3:11 PMColchester
    $1301One-way
    0 transfers
  • London North Eastern Railway
    7:55 AM6h16
    Edinburgh
    2:11 PMColchester
    $1301One-way
    0 transfers
  • London North Eastern Railway
    9:30 AM6h29
    Edinburgh
    3:59 PMColchester
    $1371One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare bus, train, and flight for Edinburgh to Colchester

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $96 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 59m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $96, while a flight costs an average of $296.

Distance: 326 miles (525 km)

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Flight
Bus
Driving

$147

Average price

$296

Average price

$96

Average price

Cheapest

$180

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 58m

Average total duration

5h 28m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 59m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 59m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

12h 33m

Average total duration

12h 3m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 37m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

London North Eastern Railway

Most popular train company

British Airways

Most popular airline

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Edinburgh to Colchester is a bus with an average price of $96.

This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Colchester:

A bus is $51 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Colchester costing on average $147.

A bus is $200 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Colchester costing on average $296.

The fastest way to travel from Edinburgh to Colchester is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 59m.

Other travel options to Colchester take longer:

Train takes on average 5h 28m.

Bus takes on average 12h 3m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Edinburgh and Colchester including taking a bus, train, and flight.
We recommend using the flight as it is the most popular way to get from Edinburgh to Colchester among Omio's users.
Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 2h 9m faster (5h 28m by train vs 7h 37m by car) and roughly $33 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($147 vs $180). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.

Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Edinburgh to Colchester train times

The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Colchester trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
London North Eastern Railway9:00 AM Edinburgh
8h04
5:04 PM Colchester0 transfersDirect
London North Eastern Railway9:30 AM Edinburgh
6h29
3:59 PM Colchester0 transfersDirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Edinburgh to Colchester by bus, train, or flight

Compare bus, train, and flight 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.

Sun
Sep 20
Mon
Sep 21
Tue
Sep 22
Wed
Sep 23
Thu
Sep 24
Fri
Sep 25
Sat
Sep 26

Why should you book Edinburgh to Colchester trains with Omio?

London North Eastern Railway as well as Lumo offer trains services from Edinburgh to Colchester.
Omio is the only official third party seller for London North Eastern Railway tickets.

Why book with Omio vs London North Eastern Railway?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for London North Eastern Railway, but also compare tickets for the likes of Lumo to find the best option for your trip from Edinburgh to Colchester.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare London North Eastern Railway with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Edinburgh to Colchester.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Edinburgh to Colchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Edinburgh to Colchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 28m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $105 but you can travel from only $38 by flight.

The earliest train runs at 03:42, the last at 23:00. The fastest train covers the 326 miles (525 km) distance in 5h 7m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $38
Distance
326 miles (525 km)
Average train duration
5h 28m
Cheapest ticket price
$105
Trains per day
6
Fastest train
5h 7m
First train
3:42 AM
Last train
11:00 PM
Cheapest Month
Oct
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jan - Mar
Low Season
Jul - Sep
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Sun
Best time to book
14 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from $38

Train companies: London North Eastern Railway, Lumo, Transpennine Express from Edinburgh to Colchester trainsLondon North Eastern Railway, Lumo, Transpennine Express trains will get you between Edinburgh and Colchester from $38. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

London North Eastern Railway

About
LNER is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from high-speed intercity trains to local services. Its most popular routes include London to Edinburgh, London to Leeds, and London to York. LNER offers a variety of train types, including the Azuma, InterCity 225, and HST. The Azuma is a modern, high-speed train that offers comfortable seating and onboard Wi-Fi. The InterCity 225 is a classic train that offers a more traditional experience. The HST is a high-speed train that offers a smooth ride and plenty of legroom. LNER offers a variety of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak. Advance tickets are the cheapest option and must be booked in advance. Anytime tickets are more expensive but can be used at any time. Off-Peak tickets are the most affordable option for travelling during off-peak times. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. LNER also offers a range of discounts and special offers, making it an affordable and convenient way to travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average London North Eastern Railway Duration
5h 7m
Cheapest London North Eastern Railway Price
$109
London North Eastern Railway frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
2 pieces of luggage and 1 small item included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket conditions
Refund
Full refund available if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light meals. First Class passengers receive complimentary refreshments
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are included with Advance tickets. Optional for other ticket types at £0-£2 per person depending on route
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, passenger assistance service available
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two pets per passenger
Quiet zone

Lumo

About
Lumo are an open access operator launched in 2021 owned by FirstGroup providing train travel from London to Scotland and the North-East of England. It runs between London and Edinburgh along the East Coast Main Line. Lumo trains offer 100% electric travel along with amenities like comforable seating, free WiFi & their LumoEats at-seat catering in their single Standard Class. Lumo offered two ticket types their advance tickets LumoFixed which are only valid on the date and train booked but are exchangeable prior to departure and their Anytime tickets which can be used on any Lumo train on the date of your ticket.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Lumo Duration
5h 17m
Cheapest Lumo Price
$105
Lumo frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
One piece of hand luggage and one piece of hold luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks and luggage storage areas at the end of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refunds according to ticket type conditions
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled by operator
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and light meals. First Class includes complimentary refreshments
Seat reservation
Seat reservation included with all tickets
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces available, accessible toilets, and staff assistance for boarding
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs on leads allowed with fee
Quiet zone

Transpennine Express

About
Transpennine Express is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from Manchester and Liverpool to Scotland, the North East and Yorkshire. It offers a range of services, including express, regional and local trains. Express trains are the fastest, with journey times of up to three hours. Regional trains are slower, but offer more stops and a more relaxed atmosphere. Local trains are the slowest, but offer the most stops. Transpennine Express offers a range of ticket types, including single, return, group and season tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for Transpennine Express are Manchester to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Leeds and Manchester to York. These routes offer a convenient and comfortable way to travel between the cities.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Transpennine Express Duration
5h 45m
Cheapest Transpennine Express Price
$170
Transpennine Express frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
2 large items and 1 small hand luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, and under seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies apply as per ticket type
Refund
Full refund if service is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Trolley service with drinks and snacks, plus a small selection of hot and cold food items
Seat reservation
Seat reservations are free of charge and recommended for busy routes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance booking service
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be on a lead. Maximum two dogs per passenger
Quiet zone

Complete guide to Colchester

Things to do in Colchester

Discover the best of Colchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Colchester trip today.

  • Must visit

Colchester Castle Museum

Major museum inside the Norman castle, presenting Roman finds and town history. Essential for understanding Colchester from Iron Age to modern times.

  • Recommended

The Military Museum

Award-winning museum on former barracks, covering military life and the Essex Regiment. Strong collections make it a standout for social and army history.

  • Recommended

Colchester Natural History Museum

Natural history museum in a former church, with local wildlife, geology, and family displays. A useful stop for learning about Essex's environment.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: hotels and dining cost less than London, while local buses and casual meals stay fairly manageable for tourists.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.50-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants may add service; if not, tip 10-12% for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafes is optional.

FAQs: Trains from Edinburgh to Colchester

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Colchester 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 Colchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Train ticket prices from Edinburgh to Colchester can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $105, while the average price is around $147.
The train from Edinburgh to Colchester takes 5h 7m and runs 6 per day.
The distance by train from Edinburgh to Colchester is 326 miles (525 km).
The first train from Edinburgh to Colchester leaves at 3:42 AM.
The last train from Edinburgh to Colchester leaves at 11:00 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Edinburgh to Colchester.
There is no direct train service currently available from Edinburgh to Colchester.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Edinburgh to Colchester.
The train station in Edinburgh that goes to Colchester is Edinburgh Waverley (EDB), which connects to Colchester station (COL).
The cheapest way to get from Edinburgh to Colchester is by flight, with a cost of around $38.
The train journey from Edinburgh to Colchester offers scenic views, especially through the landscapes of Scotland and northern England, with glimpses of rolling hills, coastal areas, and charming countryside.
A day trip from Edinburgh to Colchester is not feasible as the travel time is 5h 7m, and the frequency is 6 times per day for trains over a distance of 326 miles (525 km).
To fully explore Colchester's historic sites, including Colchester Castle and the Roman ruins, while also enjoying its cultural venues like the Firstsite art gallery and the natural beauty of Castle Park, plan to spend around 2 to 3 days.
Yes, you can take the train from Edinburgh to Colchester.
Since neither Edinburgh nor Colchester are in the Schengen Area, passport requirements depend on the specific immigration rules of United Kingdom and United Kingdom. Entry and visa requirements can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's embassy or consulate.
Popular day trips by train from Colchester include London, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Stratford, Clacton-on-Sea.
We recommend using the bus as it is the most popular way to get from Edinburgh to Colchester among Omio's users.
Items not allowed on trains typically include hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, and illegal drugs. Additionally, large or bulky items that may obstruct aisles or emergency exits, as well as pets without proper carriers, may be restricted. Specific prohibited items can vary by train operator and region, so please check the rules for your particular journey.
Yes, rail passes such as the BritRail Pass are valid on most trains within the United Kingdom, offering unlimited travel on participating train operators for a set period.
The currency used in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). For travelers, using a card is generally more convenient and widely accepted, especially in cities and for transportation tickets, though carrying some cash can be useful for small purchases or in rural areas.
In Colchester, travelers should be cautious of pickpocketing, especially in busy areas like the town center and near popular attractions. Common scams include overcharging by taxis that are not licensed and fraudulent street vendors. It's advisable to use official transportation services and remain vigilant in crowded places to avoid these issues.
Pack lightweight, versatile clothing suitable for the destination's climate, and use secure, lockable luggage to protect belongings. Keep essential items like travel documents, medication, and valuables in a carry-on bag for easy access. Use packing organizers or cubes to maximize space and maintain order. Lastly, include a small first aid kit and personal hygiene items for added comfort during travel.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Edinburgh to Colchester

Most Edinburgh to Colchester trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Colchester station pair, with some services arriving at Hythe (Essex). Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Colchester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Edinburgh
Arrival train stations in Colchester
Edinburgh WaverleyPrinces St, Edinburgh EH1 1BB, United Kingdom+44 3457114141WifiLockersShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelLoungeLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Edinburgh Waverley from Edinburgh city centre

BusUk090 · 12m · $1 · every ~32 min

Edinburgh Waverley train station facilities and services

Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, and Information Desk.

Food and drink

Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.

Tickets and information

The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .

Luggage and lost property

Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.

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We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

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