Ipswich to Colchester train with Greater Anglia

Thu, Jul 16
+ Add return
Greater Anglia
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
Frecciarossa
2,000+ travel companies
Greater Anglia
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
iryo
Frecciarossa
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Ipswich to Colchester

Showing times and prices for Jul 16

Cheapest price

$16

Average price

$16

Fastest journey

18 m

Average duration

18 m

Trains per day

6

Distance

26 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Ipswich to Colchester will cost around $16 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $16.

Fast trains

Of the 6 trains that leave Ipswich for Colchester on Thu, Jul 16, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, Jul 16 the direct trains cover the 26 km distance in an average of 18 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 18 m .

On Thu, Jul 16 the slowest trains will take 19 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.

  • Greater AngliaP67278
    5:32 PM0h20
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    5:52 PMColchester station (COL)
    $161One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greater AngliaP67280
    6:51 PM0h18
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    7:09 PMColchester station (COL)
    $161One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greater AngliaP01310
    6:11 PM0h18
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    6:29 PMColchester station (COL)
    $161One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greater AngliaP01302
    5:10 PM0h18
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    5:28 PMColchester station (COL)
    $161One-way
    0 transfers
  • Greater AngliaP01312
    6:42 PM0h19
    Ipswich station (IPS)
    7:01 PMColchester station (COL)
    $161One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Ipswich to Colchester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Ipswich to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 18m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $9, and a train costs an average of $8.

Distance: 16 miles (26 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$15

Average price

$13

Average price

Cheapest

$7

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

48m

Average total duration

Fastest

18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 12m

Average total duration

42m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

33m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.0kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Greater Anglia

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Ipswich to Colchester is a bus with an average price of $13 (€11).

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

A bus is $2 (€1) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Ipswich to Colchester costing on average $15 (€12).

The fastest way to travel from Ipswich to Colchester is by train with an average journey time of 18m.

Other travel options to Colchester take longer:

Bus takes on average 42m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Ipswich and Colchester including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Ipswich to Colchester among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 15m sooner (18m by train vs 33m by car). Tickets start at around $15 (€12) compared to roughly $7 (€5) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Direct services run with Greater Anglia.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Live departures

Ipswich to Colchester train times

The table below shows live departures for Ipswich to Colchester trains for today, Wednesday, July 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Greater AngliaP01291
On time
3:10 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h18
3:28 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67125
On time
3:42 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h19
4:01 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67274
On time
3:53 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h19
4:12 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP01294
On time
4:10 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h18
4:28 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67134
On time
4:42 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h19
5:01 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67276
On time
4:46 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h20
5:06 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67169
On time
8:41 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h18
8:59 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67285
On time
9:10 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h18
9:28 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP01786
On time
9:30 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h21
9:51 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP01332
On time
9:41 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h18
9:59 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67287
On time
9:51 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h21
10:12 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect
Greater AngliaP67290
On time
10:23 PM Ipswich station (IPS)
0h18
10:41 PM Colchester station (COL)
0 transfersDirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Ipswich to Colchester by train or bus

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.

Thu
Jul 16
Fri
Jul 17
Sat
Jul 18
Sun
Jul 19
Mon
Jul 20
Tue
Jul 21
Wed
Jul 22

Why should you book Ipswich to Colchester trains with Omio?

Greater Anglia operates all trains services from Ipswich to Colchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Ipswich to Colchester.

Why book with Omio vs Greater Anglia?

  • 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 Greater Anglia with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Ipswich to Colchester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Ipswich to Colchester.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Ipswich to Colchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of train

Trains from Ipswich to Colchester run on average 7 times per day, taking around 18m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $8 (€6) if you book in advance.

There are 7 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:55. The fastest train covers the 16 miles (26 km) distance in 15m.

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
Distance
16 miles (26 km)
Average train duration
18m
Cheapest ticket price
$8 (€6)
Trains per day
7
Direct trains
7
Fastest train
15m
First train
12:02 AM
Last train
11:55 PM
Cheapest Month
Apr
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Jul - Sep
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sat
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
28 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

Train companies: Greater Anglia from Ipswich to Colchester trainsGreater Anglia trains will get you between Ipswich and Colchester from $8 (€6). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Greater Anglia

About
Greater Anglia is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates a wide range of services, from commuter trains to intercity services. The commuter trains run at regular intervals throughout the day, while the intercity services run at peak times. The train types include the InterCity 125, InterCity 225, Class 90, Class 91, Class 360 and Class 379. The ticket types available are Standard, First Class and Advance. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, air conditioning and refreshment trolleys. The most popular routes for Greater Anglia are London Liverpool Street to Norwich, London Liverpool Street to Cambridge and London Liverpool Street to Ipswich.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
15m
Cheapest Price
$8 (€6)
Greater Anglia frequency
7 a day
Luggage included
Two items of luggage per person included in ticket price
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated areas at ends of carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refund policies vary by ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is cancelled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafe bar service on intercity routes with hot and cold drinks, snacks. No service on local routes.
Seat reservation
Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for First Class tickets.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating, assistance service available
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs require a ticket (£6 flat fee). Guide dogs travel free.
Quiet zone

FAQs: Trains from Ipswich to Colchester

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Ipswich 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 Ipswich to Colchester can vary. The cheapest ticket starts at $8 (€6), while the average price is around $15 (€12).
The train from Ipswich to Colchester takes 15m and runs 7 per day.
The distance by train from Ipswich to Colchester is 16 miles (26 km).
The first train from Ipswich to Colchester leaves at 12:02 AM.
The last train from Ipswich to Colchester leaves at 11:55 PM.
There is no high speed train available from Ipswich to Colchester.
Yes, there is a direct train from Ipswich to Colchester. This service operates 7 times per day, provided by Greater Anglia.
Unfortunately, there is no night train available from Ipswich to Colchester.
The train station in Ipswich that goes to Colchester is Ipswich station (IPS), which connects to Colchester station (COL).
The cheapest way to get from Ipswich to Colchester is by train, with a cost of around $8 (€6).
The train journey from Ipswich to Colchester offers pleasant views of the East Anglian countryside, with glimpses of rolling fields and the occasional sight of the River Stour, providing a scenic experience.
Yes, a day trip from Ipswich to Colchester is feasible. The journey takes 15m, covering a distance of 16 miles (26 km). Trains run 5 times per day.
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 Ipswich to Colchester.
Since neither Ipswich 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, Stratford, Clacton-on-Sea, Bury Saint Edmunds.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Ipswich 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 Ipswich to Colchester

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

Departure train stations in Ipswich
Arrival train stations in Colchester

Which Ipswich station do trains to Colchester leave from?

Trains from Ipswich to Colchester leave from Ipswich. The station is 0 miles (1 km) from Ipswich city centre at Ipswich station, Burrell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8AL.
IpswichIpswich station, Burrell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8AL+44 3450507080WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Ipswich from Ipswich city centre

Ipswich is 1 km from Ipswich city centre. Public transport options include:

Bus13, 12, 23, 3, 119, 3E · 7m · $2 · every ~27 min
12, 3, 13, 15, 119, 3E, 23 · 9m · $2 · every ~35 min
111 · 21m

Ipswich train station facilities and services

Ipswich has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Car Rental.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Ipswich.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Ipswich. ATMs are available at Ipswich.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Ipswich.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Ipswich: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Ipswich: Bike Parking, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Ipswich: 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: Yes.

Derby RoadDerby Road station, Derby Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8DNParkingDiningAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeBike Parking
City-centre transport

Getting to Derby Road from Ipswich city centre

Derby Road is 2 km from Ipswich city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainIpswich - Felixstowe · 11m · $5 · every ~2 min
Bus5, 5E · 12m · every ~13 min

Derby Road train station facilities and services

Derby Road has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, and Bike Parking.

Food and drink

Food and drink options are available at Derby Road.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Derby Road: Parking.

Bike and car services

Available at Derby Road: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Derby Road: 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: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.

More options for your journey from Ipswich to Colchester

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