Birmingham to Colchester bus with National Express

Tue 03 Feb
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Birmingham to Colchester

Showing times and prices for 04 Feb

Cheapest price

£52

Average price

£55

Fastest journey

7 h 15 m

Average duration

7 h 48 m

Buses per day

2

Distance

202 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Birmingham to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Birmingham to Colchester will cost around £55 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £52.

Fast coaches

Of the 2 buses that leave Birmingham for Colchester every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 202 km distance in an average of 7 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 15 m .

The slowest buses will take 8 h 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

National Express
20:308h20
Birmingham
04:50Colchester
£521One-way
0 changes
National Express
17:007h15
Birmingham
00:15Colchester
£591One-way
0 changes

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for Birmingham to Colchester

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £21. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 12m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, and a train costs an average of £26.

Distance: 202 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train

£44

Average Price

Cheapest

£72

Average Price

6h 18m

Average total duration

5h 48m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 42m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 12m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Birmingham to Colchester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Colchester coaches for today, Tuesday 3 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 09:32
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_express20:30 Birmingham
8h20
04:50 Colchester0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Birmingham to Colchester by train or coach

Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Wed
04 Feb
Thu
05 Feb
Fri
06 Feb
Sat
07 Feb
Sun
08 Feb
Mon
09 Feb
Tue
10 Feb

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Birmingham to Colchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Birmingham to Colchester run on average 9 times per day, taking around 5h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £21 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:55, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 202 km distance in 7h 0m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
202 km
Average bus duration
5h 48m
Cheapest ticket price
£21
Buses per day
9
Fastest bus
7h 0m
First bus
00:55
Last bus
23:55
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Birmingham to ColchesterYou can travel by bus between Birmingham to Colchester with National Express for as low as £21. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
7h 0m
Cheapest Price
£21
National Express frequency
10 a day
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

FAQs: Birmingham to Colchester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Colchester by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Colchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Birmingham to Colchester can start from as little as £21 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Birmingham to Colchester is £44; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Birmingham to Colchester is 7h 0m to travel the 202 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Birmingham to Colchester leaves at 0:55. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Birmingham to Colchester leaves at 23:55.
There are 9 coaches a day from Birmingham to Colchester which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Birmingham to Colchester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Colchester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Birmingham and Colchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Colchester from Birmingham is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 7h 0m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Birmingham to Colchester is August.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Birmingham and Colchester including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Birmingham to Colchester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Birmingham to Colchester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Birmingham to Colchester depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Birmingham to Colchester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Birmingham to Colchester:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Birmingham to Colchester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Birmingham to Colchester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Birmingham to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Birmingham to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Birmingham to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Birmingham and Colchester

Birmingham
Colchester
The major coach station for departures in Birmingham is Birmingham, Coach Station. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Birmingham, Coach Station for your trip from Birmingham to Colchester.
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 06:00-23:00
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
1 km
carConnection
Car connection
Mill Lane
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Dining
Dining
  • Cafeteria and fast-food options inside the station
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the main entrance.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Elevators, ramps
WC
WC
  • Available in the station.
Public transport options for Birmingham, Coach Station
  • Bus: 97, 97A, X1, X2 Train: Birmingham New Street
Birmingham, Comet Road (Airport)
information

More options for your journey from Birmingham to Colchester

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Colchester Birmingham to Colchester bus

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