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Outbound fromColchester to Retford by train
It takes an average of 3h 56m to travel from Colchester to Retford by train, over a distance of around 125 miles (200 km). There are normally 5 trains per day travelling from Colchester to Retford and tickets for this journey start from £70.10 when you book in advance.
| First train | 05:40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 21:00 | |
| Departure station | Colchester | |
| Arrival station | Retford | |
| Journey time | From 3h 5m | |
| Distance | 125 miles (200 km) | |
| Frequency | 5 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £70.10 | |
| Train operators | Greater Anglia, East Midlands Railway, Thameslink, London North Eastern Railway |
Take the train from Colchester to Retford in 3 hours 5 minutes
If you want to travel from Colchester to Retford by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Colchester to Retford by train to take around 3 hours 56 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 3 hours 5 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 5 trains per day running on this route, which spans 125 miles (200 km). You'll have to make 1 change along the way on your journey to Retford. You can travel on this route with either London North Eastern Railway, Greater Anglia or East Midlands Railway. As the main train operators on this route, all offer comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage as standard.
Train tickets from Colchester to Retford start from £70.10 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Travelling during Off-Peak times or using a Railcard can also help you save money on train travel. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including money-saving tips, or check our timetable above where you can view live train times.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Colchester to Retford? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Colchester to Retford take?
The average journey time by train between Colchester and Retford is 3 hours and 56 minutes, with around 5 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Colchester and Retford by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Colchester to Retford is 3 hours and 5 minutes.
How much does the train from Colchester to Retford cost?
Train ticket prices from Colchester to Retford can start from as little as £70.10 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Colchester to Retford?
No, there are no direct train services from Colchester to Retford. Travelling from Colchester to Retford by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
What time does the first train from Colchester to Retford leave?
The first train from Colchester to Retford leaves at 05:40. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Colchester to Retford leave?
The last train from Colchester to Retford leaves at 21:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Colchester and Retford by train?
Trains travelling from Colchester to Retford cover a distance of around 125 miles (200 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Retford to Colchester.
Cheap train tickets from Colchester to Retford
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Colchester to Retford is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.