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 41 km from Essex. The shortest domestic flight to Essex departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Essex. The train journey from Essex to New York takes 1h 50m and costs around $10 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Washington, D.C., expect to pay about $119 for a 5h 05m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Essex is to pick up a car rental from New York, which is about 148 km from Essex. You’ll find branches of Ace and Kyte, among others, in New York.

Plane

Although Essex doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Tweed-New Haven (HVN), which is located 41 km from Essex. The shortest domestic flight to Essex departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 10m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Essex. The train journey from Essex to New York takes 1h 50m and costs around $10 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Washington, D.C., expect to pay about $119 for a 5h 05m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Essex is to pick up a car rental from New York, which is about 148 km from Essex. You’ll find branches of Ace and Kyte, among others, in New York.

Airlines serving Essex

Lufthansa
Good (4,670 reviews)
KLM
Good (857 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,607 reviews)
Air France
Good (981 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,935 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,133 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,479 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,813 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,607 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,608 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,353 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (774 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (469 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (815 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (774 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,794 reviews)
Sun Country Air
Good (135 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (509 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Essex

Most booked hotels in Essex

Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
3 stars
Excellent (9, 350 reviews)
$395+
Water's Edge Resort & Spa
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 436 reviews)
$264+
The Griswold Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 254 reviews)
$240+
Liberty Inn Old Saybrook
2 stars
Good (7.4, 228 reviews)
$91+
Pier Blue Inn Old Saybrook - Essex
2 stars
Good (7.3, 823 reviews)
$91+
Quality Inn Old Saybrook - Westbrook
2 stars
Good (7.3, 491 reviews)
$107+

Renting a car in Essex

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. 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, 21% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. 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, 21% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.