CHELMSFORD to LEICESTER train from £26 with East Midlands Railway

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Chelmsford to Leicester

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£50

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£68

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

2 h 21 m

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

2 h 27 m

Trains on 18 Sept

Distance

148 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Chelmsford to Leicester will cost around £68 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £50.

Fast trains

To travel from Chelmsford to Leicester you need to make at least 2 changes.

W70861+P01063+Tube from London Liverpool Street to London St Pancras International
8:152h31
Chelmsford station (CHM)
10:46Leicester station (LEI)
£501One-way
2 changes
W70961+C38270+P66537+C10048
8:432h22
Chelmsford station (CHM)
11:05Leicester station (LEI)
£591One-way
3 changes
W70961+P66957+Tube from London Liverpool Street to London St Pancras International
8:342h31
Chelmsford station (CHM)
11:05Leicester station (LEI)
£591One-way
2 changes
W70958+P01340+Tube from London Liverpool Street to London St Pancras International
8:072h29
Chelmsford station (CHM)
10:36Leicester station (LEI)
£691One-way
2 changes
W70958+P01063+C18582+C38220
8:152h21
Chelmsford station (CHM)
10:36Leicester station (LEI)
£691One-way
3 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Chelmsford to Leicester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chelmsford to Leicester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £26 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 27m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £26, while a train costs an average of £26.

Distance: 148 km

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Driving
£26 Average Price Cheapest	£31 Average Price (fuel + tolls)
2h 27m Average total duration Fastest 1h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	2h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door)
Most popular train company	Your own car or car rental
Direct Options	Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Chelmsford to Leicester is a train with an average price of £26.

The fastest way to travel from Chelmsford to Leicester is by train with an average journey time of 1h 57m.

Other travel options to Leicester take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 23m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Chelmsford and Leicester including taking a coach and train.

Take the train. On this route, it beats driving on both time and money.

The journey is about 31m faster (1h 57m by train vs 2h 28m by car) and roughly £5 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£26 vs £31). 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

Chelmsford to Leicester train times

The table below shows live departures for Chelmsford to Leicester trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
	12:11 Chelmsford	2h25	14:36 Leicester	0 changesdirect
Friday 18 September
W70958+Tube from London Liverpool Street to London St Pancras International+P01340	8:07 Chelmsford station (CHM)	2h29	10:36 Leicester station (LEI)	2 changes
W70861+Tube from London Liverpool Street to London St Pancras International+P01063	8:15 Chelmsford station (CHM)	2h31	10:46 Leicester station (LEI)	2 changes
W70958+C18582+C38220+P01063	8:15 Chelmsford station (CHM)	2h21	10:36 Leicester station (LEI)	3 changes
W70961+Tube from London Liverpool Street to London St Pancras International+P66957	8:34 Chelmsford station (CHM)	2h31	11:05 Leicester station (LEI)	2 changes
W70961+P66537+C38270+C10048	8:43 Chelmsford station (CHM)	2h22	11:05 Leicester station (LEI)	3 changes
C21645+Tube from London Liverpool Street to London St Pancras International+P66537	8:43 Chelmsford station (CHM)	2h34	11:17 Leicester station (LEI)	2 changes
This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Chelmsford to Leicester by coach or train

Compare coach and train 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.

Fri
18 Sept

Sat
19 Sept

Sun
20 Sept

Mon
21 Sept

Tue
22 Sept

Wed
23 Sept

Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Chelmsford to Leicester trains with Omio?

East Midlands Railway operates all trains services from Chelmsford to Leicester.

Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Chelmsford to Leicester.

Why book with Omio vs East Midlands Railway?

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 East Midlands Railway with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chelmsford to Leicester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Rome2rio?

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

Journey information

Overview: Train from Chelmsford to Leicester

United Kingdom

Trains from Chelmsford to Leicester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 1h 57m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £26 if you book in advance.

The earliest train runs at 04:37, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 148 km distance in 2h 25m.

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

148 km

Average train duration

1h 57m

Cheapest ticket price

£26

Trains per day

Fastest train

2h 25m

First train

4:37

Last train

22:15

Cheapest Month

Dec

Cheapest Day

Sat

High Season

Oct - Dec

Low Season

Jan - Mar

Busiest Day

Mon

Least Busy Day

Mon

Best time to book

28 days

Price information

Train companies: East Midlands Railway from Chelmsford to Leicester trainsEast Midlands Railway trains will get you between Chelmsford and Leicester from £26. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

East Midlands Railway

About

East Midlands Trains is a train company based in the United Kingdom. It operates services from London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West. East Midlands Trains operates a fleet of Class 158, Class 156, Class 170, Class 222 and Class 180 diesel multiple units, as well as Class 222 Meridian electric multiple units. East Midlands Trains also offers a range of ticket types, including Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak tickets. Onboard facilities include free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a range of food and drink options. The most popular routes for East Midlands Trains are London to Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average East Midlands Railway Duration

2h 25m

Cheapest East Midlands Railway Price

£26

Luggage included

2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage included

Luggage storage

Overhead racks, luggage areas at the end of carriages, under seats

Cancellation Policy

Refund policies apply as per ticket type

Refund

Full refund if train is cancelled

Amenities on board the train

Wifi

Food sold onboard

Trolley service with drinks and snacks on some routes

Seat reservation

Seat reservations available for a fee. Free for Advance ticket holders

Toilets

USB plugs

Accessibility

Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, ramps for boarding, priority seating

Pets

Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs must be on lead and require a ticket (£6 for day ticket)

Quiet zone

Learn more about East Midlands Railway

Complete guide to Leicester

Things to do in Leicester

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

Must visit

King Richard III Visitor Centre

Modern museum telling the story of Richard III through archaeology, history and the king’s Leicester burial site.

View on map Visit website

Recommended

Leicester Museum & Art Gallery

Leicester’s main art and history museum, with dinosaur galleries, fine art and displays on the city’s people and past.

View on map Visit website

Recommended

Jewry Wall Museum

Museum beside Roman remains, exploring local archaeology from Roman Leicester to later city history in a compact setting.

View on map Visit website

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for a UK city. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than London, while local buses and casual meals remain fairly affordable for visitors.

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: £2.80-4 for a coffee.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional, often just small change.

FAQs: Chelmsford to Leicester train

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

The cost of a train ticket from Chelmsford to Leicester can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £26, while the average price tends to be around £26.

The train journey from Chelmsford to Leicester covers a distance of 148 km and takes approximately 2h 25m. Trains run 8 per day.

The train distance from Chelmsford to Leicester is 148 km.

The first train from Chelmsford to Leicester leaves at 4:37.

The last train from Chelmsford to Leicester departs at 22:15.

Trains from Chelmsford to Leicester run approximately 8 times per day.

Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Chelmsford to Leicester.

Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Chelmsford to Leicester.

To get from Chelmsford to Leicester, you can choose from several travel options including coach and train.

There is no night train service from Chelmsford to Leicester.

The train station in Chelmsford that goes to Leicester is Chelmsford station (CHM), and it arrives at Leicester station (LEI).

The cheapest way to get from Chelmsford to Leicester is by train, costing approximately £26.

Booking trains from Chelmsford to Leicester in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.

The train journey from Chelmsford to Leicester is not particularly known for being scenic, as it primarily passes through urban and industrial areas, although there are some stretches of countryside along the route.

A day trip from Chelmsford to Leicester is not feasible as the journey duration is 2h 25m. However, there are 7 train trips available per day.

Two to three days is typically enough to explore Leicester's key attractions, including the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester Cathedral, and the National Space Centre, while also enjoying the local culture and dining.

Yes, you can take the train from Chelmsford to Leicester.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Chelmsford and Leicester

Most Chelmsford to Leicester trains use the Chelmsford to Leicester station pair. Use this guide to compare Chelmsford and Leicester train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Chelmsford

Arrival train stations in Leicester

Which Chelmsford station do trains to Leicester leave from?

Trains from Chelmsford to Leicester leave from Chelmsford. The station is from Chelmsford city centre at Chelmsford station, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1HT.

ChelmsfordChelmsford station, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1HT+44 8450507080 Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Chelmsford from Chelmsford city centre

Location for Rail Replacement ServicesReplacement transport stop at the bus stop on Victoria Road by station entrance

Chelmsford 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

Food and drink options are available at Chelmsford.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

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

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Chelmsford.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Chelmsford: Parking, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Chelmsford: Bike Parking.

Accessibility

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.

More about Chelmsford

Which Leicester station do trains from Chelmsford arrive at?

Trains from Chelmsford to Leicester arrive at Leicester. Leicester is 1 km from Leicester city centre.

LeicesterLeicester station, London Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 0QB+44 8457125678 Wifi

City-centre transport

Getting to Leicester from Leicester city centre

BusX7 · 4m · £2 · every ~3 min

16 · 7m · every ~6 min

Hop · 11m · £2 · every ~14 min

Leicester train station facilities and services

Leicester has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.