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 10m.

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 Hartford, expect to pay about $9 for a 0h 45m 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.

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 10m.

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 Hartford, expect to pay about $9 for a 0h 45m 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.

Airlines serving Essex

Lufthansa
Good (4,690 reviews)
KLM
Good (846 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,585 reviews)
Air France
Good (980 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,107 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,436 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,971 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,974 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (857 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,735 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,584 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,359 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (771 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (486 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (812 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (778 reviews)
Sun Country Air
Good (140 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,789 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (495 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Essex

Most booked hotels in Essex

Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
3 stars
Excellent (9, 344 reviews)
$350+
Water's Edge Resort & Spa
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 430 reviews)
$344+
The Griswold Inn
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 248 reviews)
$276+
Quality Inn Old Saybrook - Westbrook
2 stars
Good (7.4, 499 reviews)
$116+
Liberty Inn Old Saybrook
2 stars
Good (7.4, 231 reviews)
$93+
Pier Blue Inn Old Saybrook - Essex
2 stars
Good (7.3, 828 reviews)
$99+

Renting a car in Essex

Expect to pay $3.90 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 $46.79 and $62.38. 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 $3.90 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 $46.79 and $62.38. 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.