Essex travel guide

Essex Tourism | Essex Guide

You're Going to Love Essex

Essex is a must-see destination in Connecticut, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in Essex to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Essex

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Griswold Inn (36 Main St) and Los Charros Cantina (120 N Main St) are great picks.

When to visit Essex

Essex in January
Estimated hotel price
$161
1 night at 3-star hotel
Essex in January
Estimated hotel price
$161
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Essex

Plane

Although Essex doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Tweed-New Haven (HVN), which is located 26 miles from Essex. The shortest domestic flight to Essex departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Essex. The train journey from Essex to Washington, D.C. takes 0h 20m and costs around $128 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 37m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Essex is to pick up a car rental from New York, which is about 92 miles from Essex. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Kyte, among others, in New York.

Bus

Greyhound operates bus routes to Essex. From Harrisburg, the bus ride to Essex takes 415 miles and will cost you around $104. From Washington, D.C., the ticket costs about $96 for a journey of 530 miles.

Plane

Although Essex doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Tweed-New Haven (HVN), which is located 26 miles from Essex. The shortest domestic flight to Essex departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 15m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Essex. The train journey from Essex to Washington, D.C. takes 0h 20m and costs around $128 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 37m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Essex is to pick up a car rental from New York, which is about 92 miles from Essex. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Kyte, among others, in New York.

Bus

Greyhound operates bus routes to Essex. From Harrisburg, the bus ride to Essex takes 415 miles and will cost you around $104. From Washington, D.C., the ticket costs about $96 for a journey of 530 miles.

Airlines serving Essex

Lufthansa
Good (4,688 reviews)
KLM
Good (838 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,573 reviews)
Air France
Good (985 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,108 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,420 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,994 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (6,020 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (860 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,783 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,574 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,362 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (777 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (488 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (811 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (785 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,758 reviews)
Sun Country Air
Good (139 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (488 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Essex

Most booked hotels in Essex

Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
3 stars
Excellent (9, 339 reviews)
$347+
Water's Edge Resort & Spa
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 428 reviews)
$355+
The Griswold Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 250 reviews)
$276+
Liberty Inn Old Saybrook
2 stars
Good (7.4, 232 reviews)
$95+
Quality Inn Old Saybrook - Westbrook
2 stars
Good (7.3, 498 reviews)
$116+
Pier Blue Inn Old Saybrook - Essex
2 stars
Good (7.2, 823 reviews)
$91+

Renting a car in Essex

Expect to pay $3.82 per gallon in Essex (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $45.88 and $61.17. The most frequently booked car type in Essex is Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Toyota Corolla or similar) are, on average, 20% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Expect to pay $3.82 per gallon in Essex (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $45.88 and $61.17. The most frequently booked car type in Essex is Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Toyota Corolla or similar) are, on average, 20% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.