Cheap train tickets from Colchester to Reading
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Colchester to Reading Train Schedule
Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Colchester and Reading. The average train journey from Colchester to Reading takes one hour and 56 minutes, but some Greater Anglia train trips are as short as one hour and 53 minutes.
| Distance | 86 mi (138 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 53m |
| Lowest price | $71.10 |
| Most frequent service | Greater Anglia |
| Train lines | 1 |

Which train should you take from Colchester to Reading?
Greater Anglia is the one and only train line which connects Colchester to Reading. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Anglia | 2 | 1h 57m | $71.10 |
Greater Anglia is an east-of-England train company that serves Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire. Greater Anglia is known for providing affordable travel options and is in the process of upgrading its train cars with WiFi. Restrooms are available onboard, and power outlets are available at some seats.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Colchester to Reading
Trains departing from Colchester to Reading tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Colchester at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Colchester twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Reading to Colchester.
City Information
Reading

Image credit: Reading Tom
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Reading Tom
Link to image attributionLocated only 20 minutes west of London, Reading is a large university and market town in the English county of Berkshire. Reading has an intriguing mix of the past and the present, with a vibrant student scene thriving among the city's medieval and Victorian architecture.
Reading sits on the River Thames, at the end-point of the Kennet and Avon Canal, so there are a number of pretty riverside walks to take in the scenery. Explore the gardens and meet the animals at Beadle Wildlife Park, a vast park crisscrossed with nature trails.
To discover the town's past, visit the Reading Museum, where you can take a trip through time from early Saxon settlements to the Industrial Revolution through 21st-century life.
Since Reading is home to a large university, you are always guaranteed exciting nightlife. Filled with many restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs, Reading is the perfect place for a night on the town. Try The Nag's Head, The Lyndhurst, or The Purple Turtle to start your night right.
Because Reading is only a short way from London, getting to Reading is simple. Fly to one of London's large international airports for access from around the world. Reading Train Station is also one of Britain's main railway interchanges, making it easy to reach from all over the country by train. National Express buses also operate through the city from many destinations around the United Kingdom.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Colchester?
Main departure station: Colchester Train Station
There is one train station in Colchester.
All train stations in Colchester:
Colchester Train Station
Where is the train station in Reading?
Main arrival station: Reading Station
Reading has one train station.
All train stations in Reading:
Reading Station
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Need a return trip from Reading to Colchester?
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