Cheap train tickets from Bradford to Colchester
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Bradford to Colchester Train Schedule
Trip Summary
You can pick from 11 daily train trips between Bradford and Colchester. The average train journey from Bradford to Colchester takes 4 hours and 38 minutes, but some London North Eastern Railway train trips are as short as 4 hours and 16 minutes.
| Distance | 172 mi (276 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 16m |
| Lowest price | $104.82 |
| Most frequent service | Northern Rail |
| Train lines | 3 |

Train service from Bradford to Colchester
- Grand Central tickets: $237 one-way
- London North Eastern Railway tickets: $105 one-way
- Northern Rail tickets: $105 one-way
Which train should you take from Bradford to Colchester?
There are 3 train lines with service from Bradford to Colchester. Northern Rail is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 9 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Central | 1 | 4h 47m | $237.30 |
| London North Eastern Railway | 1 | 4h 16m | $104.82 |
| Northern Rail | 9 | 4h 39m | $108.54 |
Owned by Arriva UK Trains, Grand Central runs daily trips along the east coast of the United Kingdom from Sunderland to London, with stops in North Yorkshire, Halifax, and Doncaster. Grand Central has standard and first-class tickets, but all passengers enjoy AC, free WiFi, leather seats, and the option to purchase snacks onboard.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a privately-owned train company that operates passenger services on behalf of the UK government. LNER manages the prestigious East Coast mainline route, connecting London King's Cross Station to various cities, including Leeds, Bradford, and Hull. With a comprehensive network of 55 stations and a fleet of approximately 75 trains, LNER facilitates numerous daily journeys, offering standard and first-class ticket options.
Northern Rail, branded simply as 'Northern' on its trains, travels to cities such as Manchester, Blackpool, Windermere, Newcastle, and York. Complimentary WiFi is usually available in first- and standard-class carriages, plus an onboard restroom. The newer trains boast extra legroom, and all services have space for luggage at the end of carriages.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Bradford to Colchester
The distance between Bradford and Colchester is approximately 172 miles, or 276 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 16 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Bradford to Colchester on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Bradford at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 11 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Colchester to Bradford.
City Information
Bradford

Image credit: Tim Green
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Tim Green
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Unsplash
Bradford is a mid-sized city in West Yorkshire, located slightly west of Leeds. Perhaps one of Bradford's best offerings is its natural beauty and fresh air. Visit Bradford to get mesmerized by its culture, history, and heritage while enjoying the countryside.
Start your cultural and historical tour at the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, where there are four permanent galleries and seasonal contemporary exhibitions. Then, to discover why Bradford is designated a UNESCO City of Film, visit the Impressions Gallery next to City Park. You'll find modern photography works by famous artists. The Bradford Cathedral, Lister Park, and Shipley Glen are other beloved attractions in the city.
Families love Bradford because of its many parks and family-friendly entertainment zones. Kids will surely love Funzy, an inflatable theme park located at the Bradford Leisure Exchange. The Kirkgate Centre is home to established retail stores when you're seeking some retail therapy. However, for high street brands, your destination should be Forster Square Shopping Park.
Leeds Bradford Airport is very close, making the city very easy to reach by air. Northern Rail and TransPennine Express offer rail connections, and FlixBus and Megabus operate bus routes in the area.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Bradford?
Main departure station: Bradford Brg St
There are two stations in Bradford where you can board the train to Colchester.
All train stations in Bradford:
Bradford Brg St
Bradford Forster Square
Where is the train station in Colchester?
Main arrival station: Colchester Train Station
Colchester has one train station.
All train stations in Colchester:
Colchester Train Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Colchester to Bradford?
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- United Kingdom
- Colchester
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