How to travel from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom

The distance between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea is around 33km (21 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a taxi which takes around 26min.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea by train, taxi and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Southend-on-SeaChelmsford if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Shenfield and then to Prittlewell.

  • Duration43min
  • Departsevery 30 mins
  • Typical cost
    £14($17)
Operated by

Greater Anglia

🚀 Fastest
2
taxi
+

Taxi

Take a taxi to Southend-on-Sea.

  • Duration26min
  • Departson demand
  • Typical cost
    £150($180)
Operated by

Your Cabbie

+ 4 others
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Southend-on-Sea.

  • Duration26min
  • Distance33km (21 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea

There are several options for getting from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea by train, taxi and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around £14 ($17) and will take around 43min. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a taxi and arrive in approximately 26min, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £150 ($180).

The distance between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea is around 33km (21 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 27km (17 miles)

It takes around 43min to get from Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 26min to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea is to take a taxi which takes around 26min and will set you back approx £150 ($180).

The cheapest way to travel between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around £14 ($17) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. It typically takes around 43min and departs every 30 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Shenfield. These services run every 30 mins and will take a minimum of 43min.

Greater Anglia run train services between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. Trains depart every 30 mins and will take around 43min, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. We recommend that you take a taxi to Southend-on-Sea. instead which will take 26min.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea. We recommend that you take the train to Shenfield and then to Prittlewell. instead which will take 43min.

The closest major airport to Southend-on-Sea is London City Airport (LCY) (LCY) which is approximately 46km (29 miles) from Southend-on-Sea. London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) and Gatwick Airport (LGW) (LGW) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. The distance is around 33km (21 miles) by road and it will take around 26min in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea is to take the train which takes, on average, 43min and will usually cost around £14 ($17).

How do I get from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea

Compare travel optionsbetween Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea

Transport options from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
43min
£14($17)
every 30 mins48km (30 miles)
Taxi
26min
£150($180)
on demand33km (21 miles)
Drive
26min
£6($7)
on demand33km (21 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea

Train operators

Airports near Southend-on-Sea

The following major airports near Southend-on-Sea offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

LCY
London City Airport (LCY)
International Airport
Distance
46km (29 miles) from Southend-on-Sea
STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
50km (31 miles) from Southend-on-Sea
LGW
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
International Airport
Distance
75km (47 miles) from Southend-on-Sea