Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Chelmsford travel guide

Chelmsford Tourism | Chelmsford Guide

You're Going to Love Chelmsford

With a population of 102,671, Chelmsford is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in Chelmsford to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Chelmsford

If you’re looking for affordable options, Pig & Whistle Restaurant (Pig & Whistle Chignal Road, Chignal Smealey) and Galvin Green Man (Main Road) are great picks. For delicious green meals, The New London Restaurant and Lounge (147 New London Road) and Côte Brasserie - Chelmsford (1 Exchange Way) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Chelmsford.

When to visit Chelmsford

Chelmsford in December
Estimated hotel price
£58
1 night at 3-star hotel
Chelmsford in December
Estimated hotel price
£58
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Chelmsford

Plane

When flying to Chelmsford, you’ll arrive at London Stansted Airport (STN), which is located 14 miles from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Chelmsford departs from Edinburgh and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Chelmsford, followed by West Midlands Railway. The train journey from Chelmsford to Southampton takes 1h 46m and costs around £18 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Norwich, expect to pay about £16 for a 1h 48m trip. Located 0.1 miles from the city centre, Chelmsford is the busiest station in Chelmsford. Another popular train station is Chelmsford North Fambridge, located 11 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Chelmsford is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 30 miles from Chelmsford. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Chelmsford, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Chelmsford takes 130 miles and will cost you around £4. From Bournemouth, the ticket costs about £6 for a journey of 165 miles.

Plane

When flying to Chelmsford, you’ll arrive at London Stansted Airport (STN), which is located 14 miles from the city centre. The shortest domestic flight to Chelmsford departs from Edinburgh and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Chelmsford, followed by West Midlands Railway. The train journey from Chelmsford to Southampton takes 1h 46m and costs around £18 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Norwich, expect to pay about £16 for a 1h 48m trip. Located 0.1 miles from the city centre, Chelmsford is the busiest station in Chelmsford. Another popular train station is Chelmsford North Fambridge, located 11 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Chelmsford is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 30 miles from Chelmsford. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Chelmsford, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Chelmsford takes 130 miles and will cost you around £4. From Bournemouth, the ticket costs about £6 for a journey of 165 miles.

Airports near Chelmsford

LHRLondon Heathrow
STNLondon Stansted
LGWLondon Gatwick

Airlines serving Chelmsford

Lufthansa
Good (7,193 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,368 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,095 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,652 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,962 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,893 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,818 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,467 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (806 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,844 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,288 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,590 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,413 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,677 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,093 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (351 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,221 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,354 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,311 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,912 reviews)
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Where to stay in Chelmsford

Average rates range from around £123 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £129 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Chelmsford, with prices from £47 to £296 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Chelmsford are about 61% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Chelmsford

Most booked hotels in Chelmsford

See all
One Pelham Grove Bed & Breakfast
5 stars
Excellent (9.3, Excellent reviews)
£36+
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Pontlands Park
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
£140+
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Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£109+
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Holiday Inn Express London - Stansted Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
£89+
View
Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£116+
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The Oakland Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£65+
View

Hiring a car in Chelmsford

Hiring a car in Chelmsford costs £32 per day, on average.

Expect to pay £1.35 per litre in Chelmsford (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.15 and £21.53. The most frequently booked car type in Chelmsford is Economy (Renault Clio or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 56% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Chelmsford costs £32 per day, on average.

Expect to pay £1.35 per litre in Chelmsford (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.15 and £21.53. The most frequently booked car type in Chelmsford is Economy (Renault Clio or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Fiat 500 or similar) is, on average, 56% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Best car hire deals in Chelmsford

Compact SUV

4 adults, 2 Bags

£24/day

Compact SUV

Economy

2 adults, 2 Bags

£29/day

Economy
Find car hire in Chelmsford

Chelmsford Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Chelmsford city guide for the best Chelmsford travel tips. To help you organise your Chelmsford trip ideas, this Chelmsford visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.