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The cheapest and fastest trains from Reading to Colchester
Showing times and prices for 06 Nov
Cheapest price
£68
Average price
£68
Fastest journey
2 h 2 m
Average duration
2 h 2 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
138 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Reading to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Colchester will cost around £68 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £68.
Fast trains
Of the 1 trains that leave Reading for Colchester every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 138 km distance in an average of 2 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 2 m .
The slowest trains will take 2 h 2 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.
10:352h02
Reading12:37Colchester
£681One-way
0 changes
10:352h02
Reading12:37Colchester
£681One-way
0 changes
Compare prices and tickets Reading to Colchester by train
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Reading to Colchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Trains from Reading to Colchester run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £68 if you book in advance.
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 138 km |
Average train duration 1h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price £68 |
Trains per day 5 |
Fastest train 1h 55m |
First train 04:10 |
Last train 23:02 |
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: Abellio Greater Anglia, Tfl Rail, first_great_western from Reading to Colchester trainsAbellio Greater Anglia, Tfl Rail, first_great_western trains will get you between Reading and Colchester from £68. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Abellio 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
1h 55m
Cheapest Price
£68
Abellio Greater Anglia frequency
4 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
Tfl Rail
About
Tfl Rail is a railway service operated by Transport for London in the United Kingdom. It operates on the Great Western Main Line and the Heathrow branch of the London Underground. The service runs from Paddington in London to Reading, Maidenhead, Slough, and Heathrow Airport. It also serves the towns of Taplow, Burnham, Twyford, and Hayes & Harlington. All trains are air-conditioned and feature onboard Wi-Fi, power sockets, and digital information screens. Tfl Rail offers a range of ticket types, including single and return tickets, season tickets, and Oyster cards. Oyster cards are the most popular ticket type, allowing passengers to pay for their journey with a single card. The most popular routes for Tfl Rail are Paddington to Reading, Paddington to Maidenhead, and Paddington to Heathrow Airport. These routes offer frequent services and provide passengers with a convenient way to travel between London and the surrounding areas.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
2h 24m
Cheapest Price
£68
Tfl Rail frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
Standard luggage allowance included with ticket
Luggage storage
Dedicated luggage storage areas in carriages
Cancellation Policy
Refunds available through TfL website or customer service
Refund
Full refund available for service cancellations
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
No dedicated dining car. Passengers can bring their own food and drinks
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Step-free access at most stations, wheelchair spaces on trains, priority seating
Pets
Small pets travel free. Dogs must be leashed. Guide dogs welcome
Quiet zone
first_great_western
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 31m
Cheapest Price
£69
first_great_western frequency
50 a day
FAQs: Reading to Colchester train
FAQs: Travel by train from Reading to Colchester 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 Reading to Colchester.
The train distance from Reading to Colchester is 138 km.
Booking trains from Reading to Colchester in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The cost of a train ticket from Reading to Colchester can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £68, while the average price tends to be around £69.
The train journey from Reading to Colchester covers a distance of 138 km and takes approximately 1h 55m. Trains run 5 per day.
The first train from Reading to Colchester leaves at 4:10.
The cheapest way to get from Reading to Colchester is by train, costing approximately £68.
The last train from Reading to Colchester departs at 23:02.
The train station in Reading that goes to Colchester is Reading station (RDG), and it arrives at Colchester station (COL).
Trains from Reading to Colchester run approximately 5 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Reading to Colchester.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Reading to Colchester.
There is no night train service from Reading to Colchester.
Yes, you can take the train from Reading to Colchester.
To travel from Reading to Colchester, you can take a train.
popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Reading and Colchester
Reading
Colchester
The major train station for departures in Reading is Reading. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Reading for your trip from Reading to Colchester.
Amenities at train station
Shopping
Parking
Dining
ATM
Accessibility
WC
Hotel
Lounge
Ticket Office
Bike Parking
Bike Rental
Car Rentalinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:15 - 22:45 Saturday 05:30 - 22:45 Sunday 07:15 - 22:45 Please note: Reservations and tickets requiring reservations are sold at the following times only: Mon - Sat 08:00 - 20:00 and Sun 09:00 - 20:00
Parking
- Car Park: Multi Storey Car Park
Accessibility
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access coverage: Yes
- Step free access note: platforms can be reached via lift and bridge, ticket office is step free.
- Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users may require assistance using car park equipment at this station
- Accessible public telephones: Accessible low-level Pay Phone is available at the station main concourse. Please request staff assistance if you need to.
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxi are available at the station entrance. please request staff assistance if you need to.
- Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station
- Accessible ticket machines note: Accessible ticket machines are located at the station entrance by the ticket office and at the car park.
- Accessible toilets: Yes
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: Yes
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes
WC
- Toilets Location: Toilets are located on Station Platforms and in The Brunel Arcade building
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Front of station, underground short stay car park and long stay car park.
- Storage CCTV: No
Public transport options for Reading
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: At the North side of the station
Amenities at train station
ParkingDiningAccessibilityHotel
Lost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parkinginformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:30 - 10:45 Saturday - Sunday Closed
Distance to city center
1 kmParking
- Car Park: No
Accessibility
- Staff help available: Yes
- Step free access note: Step Free Category B3 - This station has a degree of step free access but only to Platform 1 and only if accessed via Tilehurst Road. Otherwise this station can be classified as Category C. Safety warning - Please be aware that this station has no tactile paving on the platform edge. Please take extra care when using this station.
- Accessible taxis: Accessible taxis are available. Please request staff assistance.
- 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
Bike Parking
- Storage CCTV: No
Public transport options for Reading West
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Towards Reading: Bus Stop on Oxford Road under Railway Bridge. Heading away from Reading Bus Stop on Oxford Road, outside McDonalds.
The major train station for arrivals in Colchester is Colchester. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Colchester for your journey to Colchester from Reading.
Amenities at train station
WifiShoppingParkingDiningATMAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike Parking
Information Deskinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 05:00 - 22:00 Saturday 05:30 - 21:00 Sunday 06:00 - 21:00
Distance to city center
1 kmShopping
- Type of shops available: News agent Dry cleaner Passport Photo Booth
Parking
- Car Park: Premium Bays
Accessibility
- 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
WC
- Toilets Location: The toilets are located on all platforms. The accessible (radar key) toilets are located on Platforms 2 and 4
- National key toilets: Yes
- Baby changing facilities: Yes
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Situated by the South entrance, and in the main car park by the North entrance. A secure 134-space cycle compound is also available (key fob required, speak to station staff for availability).
- Storage CCTV: Yes
Information Desk
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78
- Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens
Public transport options for Colchester
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Replacement transport stop at the bus stop by main station entrance
Amenities at train station
WifiParkingDiningAccessibilityWCHotelLost and Found OfficeTicket OfficeBike ParkingInformation Deskinformation
Ticket Office Hours
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 06:10 - 20:15 Saturday 07:00 - 18:45 Sunday Closed
Parking
- Car Park: There is a Council managed car park behind the station
Accessibility
- 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
- Ramp for train access: Yes
- Wheelchairs available: No
- Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No
WC
- Toilets Location: Toilets are located alongside the ticket office and only open when the station is staffed.
- National key toilets: No
- Baby changing facilities: No
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: Yes
- Storage location: Within station, forecourt and on platform
- Storage CCTV: Yes
Information Desk
- Information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office
- Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78
Public transport options for Colchester Town
- Onward travel information: Colchester Town Station is around 5 minutes walk from Colchester Bus Station
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Town Railway Station Bus Stops (stop B) for planned rail replacement only.
Amenities at train station
ParkingAccessibilityLost and Found OfficeBike Parkinginformation
Distance to city center
1 kmParking
- Car Park: No
Accessibility
- 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
Bike Parking
- Storage sheltered: No
- Storage location: Platforms
- Storage CCTV: No
Public transport options for Hythe (Essex)
- Onward travel information: Local Colchester Town service Buses stop near station
- Location for Rail Replacement Services: Replacement bus services stop at station entrance adjacent to level crossing
More options for your journey from Reading to Colchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular trains to and from Colchester and Reading
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