Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Colchester to Chelmsford
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Chelmsford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €6 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 54m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €6, while a train costs an average of €18.
Distance: 21 miles (34 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€18 Average price | €6 Average price Cheapest | €8 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
54m Average total duration Fastest 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 20m Average total duration 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 36m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare ways to travel from Colchester to Chelmsford
Compare the available ways to get from Colchester to Chelmsford, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Colchester to Chelmsford:
A bus is €12 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Colchester to Chelmsford costing on average €18.
Other travel options to Chelmsford take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 20m.
You'll arrive about 12m sooner (24m by train vs 36m by car). Tickets start at around €18 compared to roughly €8 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.
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.
Travel optionsfrom Colchester to Chelmsford
How to get from Colchester to Chelmsford by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Colchester to Chelmsford is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
FlixBus8:00 AM 0h50 Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) 8:50 AM Chelmsford, Station (Stand VA) €5 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
FlixBus8:00 AM 0h50 Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) 8:50 AM Chelmsford, Station (Stand VA) €5 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
P012399:30 AM 0h17 Colchester station (COL) 9:47 AM Chelmsford station (CHM) €18 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
C046859:01 AM 0h22 Colchester station (COL) 9:23 AM Chelmsford station (CHM) €18 1 One-way 0 transfers
C046618:54 AM 0h25 Colchester station (COL) 9:19 AM Chelmsford station (CHM) €18 1 One-way 0 transfers
P669578:09 AM 0h25 Colchester station (COL) 8:34 AM Chelmsford station (CHM) €18 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Colchester to Chelmsford
Travel to Chelmsford easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Colchester to Chelmsford.

This is compared to other travel options from Colchester to Chelmsford:
A bus is €12 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Colchester to Chelmsford costing on average €18.
Other travel options to Chelmsford take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 20m.
- Around 9 trains per day.
- Around 1 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Colchester and Chelmsford as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Colchester station (COL) and arrive in Chelmsford station (CHM).
- Buses mostly depart from Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) and arrive in Chelmsford, Station (Stand VA).
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Chelmsford by bus.
- Travel with Greater Anglia to go to Chelmsford by train.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 9 direct trains per day with Greater Anglia.
Travelling from Colchester to Chelmsford: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
