Colchester travel guide

Colchester Tourism | Colchester Guide

You're Going to Love Colchester

With a population of 109,414, Colchester is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Consider staying at least one whole day in Colchester to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Colchester

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Crown Inn - Stoke-by-Nayland (Stoke By Nayland Park Street) and The Barn (Brook Road, Great Tey) are great picks. For delicious green meals, The Greyhound Inn (The Street) and Green Room Restaurant (North Hill Hotel 51 North Hill) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Colchester.

When to visit Colchester

Colchester in January
Estimated hotel price
AED 312
1 night at 3-star hotel
Colchester in January
Estimated hotel price
AED 312
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Colchester

Plane

Although Colchester doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Cambridge (CBG), which is located 60 km from Colchester. The shortest flight to Colchester from the United Arab Emirates departs from Dubai and takes around 7h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Colchester, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Colchester to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around AED 162 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about AED 77 for a 1h 49m trip. Located 8 km from the city centre, Colchester Marks Tey is the busiest station in Colchester. Another popular train station is Colchester Town, located 1.6 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Colchester is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 83 km from Colchester. You’ll find branches of DRIVALIA and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Colchester, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Colchester takes 209 km and will cost you around AED 29. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about AED 33 for a journey of 217 km. The most popular bus station is Colchester University of Essex, located 4 km from the city centre of Colchester. Colchester Bus Station is also a commonly used station, and is 1.2 km from the city centre.

Plane

Although Colchester doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Cambridge (CBG), which is located 60 km from Colchester. The shortest flight to Colchester from the United Arab Emirates departs from Dubai and takes around 7h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Colchester, followed by Eurostar. The train journey from Colchester to Bristol takes 1h 34m and costs around AED 162 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about AED 77 for a 1h 49m trip. Located 8 km from the city centre, Colchester Marks Tey is the busiest station in Colchester. Another popular train station is Colchester Town, located 1.6 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Colchester is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 83 km from Colchester. You’ll find branches of DRIVALIA and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Colchester, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Colchester takes 209 km and will cost you around AED 29. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about AED 33 for a journey of 217 km. The most popular bus station is Colchester University of Essex, located 4 km from the city centre of Colchester. Colchester Bus Station is also a commonly used station, and is 1.2 km from the city centre.

Airports near Colchester

Airlines serving Colchester

Lufthansa
Good (7,165 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,350 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,839 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,828 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,646 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,883 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,534 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,668 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,885 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (818 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,217 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,530 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,126 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,316 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (379 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,334 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,421 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,238 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (875 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,192 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Colchester

Most booked hotels in Colchester

The George Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
AED 447+
Holiday Inn Colchester
4 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
AED 323+
Dragonfly Hotel Colchester
3 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
AED 308+
The Essex Golf & Country Club Hotel
3 stars
Good (7.3, Good reviews)
AED 297+
Brook Red Lion Hotel
3 stars
Good (6.9, Good reviews)
AED 279+

Hiring a car in Colchester

Expect to pay AED 6.43 per litre in Colchester (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between AED 77.13 and AED 102.84. The most frequently booked car type in Colchester is Mini (Fiat 500 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Volvo V40 or similar) is, on average, 83% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay AED 6.43 per litre in Colchester (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between AED 77.13 and AED 102.84. The most frequently booked car type in Colchester is Mini (Fiat 500 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Volvo V40 or similar) is, on average, 83% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.