How to travel from Luton to Colchester, United Kingdom

The distance between Luton and Colchester is around 130km (81 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1h 25m.

3 routes found

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

👋 Also check out ColchesterLuton if you're planning a return trip.

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train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Farringdon and then to Colchester.

  • Duration1h 55m
  • Departsevery 15 mins
  • Typical cost
    £41($49)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Stansted Airport London and then to Colchester East Hill/High Street.

  • Duration2h 40m
  • Departs4 times a day
  • Typical cost
    £11($13)
🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Colchester.

  • Duration1h 25m
  • Distance133km (83 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Luton and Colchester

There are several options for getting from Luton to Colchester by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £11 ($13) and will take around 2h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £24 ($28).

The distance between Luton and Colchester is around 130km (81 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 90km (56 miles)

It takes around 1h 55m to get from Luton and Colchester by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Luton to Colchester is to drive which takes around 1h 25m and will set you back approx £24 ($28).

The cheapest way to travel between Luton and Colchester, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £11 ($13) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Luton and Colchester. It typically takes around 1h 55m and departs every 15 mins.

There are no direct train services that runs from Luton to Colchester. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Farringdon and Liverpool Street station. These services run every 15 mins and will take a minimum of 1h 55m.

Thameslink and Greater Anglia run train services between Luton and Colchester. Trains depart every 15 mins and will take around 1h 55m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Luton and Colchester. It typically takes around 2h 40m and departs 4 times a day.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Luton to Colchester. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Stansted Airport London. These services run 4 times a day and will take a minimum of 2h 40m.

National Express run regular bus services between Luton and Colchester. Buses run 4 times a day and take around 2h 40m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Luton to Colchester. We recommend that you take the train to Farringdon and then to Colchester. instead which will take 1h 55m.

The closest major airport to Colchester is London Stansted Airport (STN) (STN) which is approximately 44km (27 miles) from Colchester. Cambridge Airport (CBG) (CBG) and London City Airport (LCY) (LCY) 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 Luton and Colchester. The distance is around 133km (83 miles) by road and it will take around 1h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Luton to Colchester is to take the train which takes, on average, 1h 55m and will usually cost around £41 ($49).

How do I get from Luton to Colchester

Compare travel optionsbetween Luton and Colchester

Transport options from Luton to Colchester
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
1h 55m
£41($49)
every 15 mins135km (84 miles)
Bus
2h 40m
£11($13)
4 times a day130km (81 miles)
Drive
1h 25m
£24($28)
on demand133km (83 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Luton and Colchester

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Colchester

The following major airports near Colchester offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

STN
London Stansted Airport (STN)
International Airport
Distance
44km (27 miles) from Colchester
CBG
Cambridge Airport (CBG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
61km (38 miles) from Colchester
LCY
London City Airport (LCY)
International Airport
Distance
73km (45 miles) from Colchester