- Must visit
Colchester Castle Museum
Main city museum inside the castle, covering Roman Colchester, local archaeology and later history in a dramatic historic setting.
2,000+ travel companies
2,000+ travel companies
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
4.942K ratings
Google Play
4.6136K reviews
The cheapest and fastest coaches from Chelmsford to Colchester
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£4
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£4
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
55 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
55 m
Buses on 18 Sept
1
Distance
34 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Chelmsford to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chelmsford to Colchester will cost around £4 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £4.
Fast coaches
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 1 buses from Chelmsford to Colchester, including 1 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 34 km distance in an average of 55 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 55 m .
The slowest buses will take 55 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.
FlixBus21:200h55Chelmsford, Station (Stand VA)22:15Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station)£41One-way0 changes
- FlixBus21:200h55Chelmsford, Station (Stand VA)22:15Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station)£41One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Chelmsford to Colchester
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chelmsford to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £4 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 56m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £4, while a train costs an average of £15.
Distance: 34 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£4 Average Price Cheapest | £15 Average Price | £7 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 25m Average total duration 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 56m Average total duration Fastest 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Chelmsford to Colchester is a coach with an average price of £4.
This is compared to other travel options from Chelmsford to Colchester:
A coach is £11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chelmsford to Colchester costing on average £15.
The fastest way to travel from Chelmsford to Colchester is by train with an average journey time of 26m.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Coach takes on average 55m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Chelmsford and Colchester including taking a train and coach.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around £4 compared to roughly £7 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £2. The journey takes 55m versus 38m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by First Essex, Stephensons of Essex.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Live departures
Chelmsford to Colchester bus times
The table below shows live departures for Chelmsford to Colchester coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 21:20 Chelmsford, Station (Stand VA) | 0h55 | 22:15 Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chelmsford 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.
Fri
18 Sept
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept
24 Sept
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chelmsford to Colchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Chelmsford to Colchester run on average 6 times per day, taking around 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £4 if you book in advance.
There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 03:42, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 34 km distance in 51m.
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 34 km |
Average bus duration 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £4 |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 51m |
First bus 3:42 |
Last bus 23:57 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 35 days |
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: First Essex, Stephensons of Essex from Chelmsford to ColchesterYou can travel by bus between Chelmsford to Colchester with First Essex, Stephensons of Essex for as low as £4. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
First Essex
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average First Essex Duration
56m
First Essex frequency
16 a day
Stephensons of Essex
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Stephensons of Essex Duration
51m
Cheapest Stephensons of Essex Price
£4
Stephensons of Essex frequency
1 a day
Complete guide to Colchester
Things to do in Colchester
Discover the best of Colchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Colchester trip today.
- Recommended
The Natural History Museum
Natural history museum in a former church, with displays on Essex wildlife, geology and environment, suited to families and curious visitors.
- Recommended
Hollytrees Museum
Museum charting the city’s social history, from everyday objects to changing local life, housed in a restored historic building.
- Must visit
Castle Park
Central park beside the castle with lawns, mature trees and Roman remains. Ideal for a stroll, picnic or pause between sights.
- Recommended
High Street
Historic main street lined with shops and civic buildings, useful for exploring the town centre and taking in everyday city life.
- Recommended
Dutch Quarter
Characterful district of timber-framed houses and narrow streets, known for its historic atmosphere and photogenic townscape.
- Gluten-free
Colchester Oysters
Native Colchester oysters, served raw or dressed. They have been harvested locally since Roman times and are the town’s best-known traditional food.
- Gluten-free
Smoked Eel
Smoked eel from the Essex coast and estuaries, traditionally cured and smoked for a rich flavour tied to local fishing heritage.
- Gluten-free
Essex Clanger
A traditional Essex bake made with potatoes, onions and pork or beef, slowly cooked until soft. It is a longstanding county comfort food.
Le Talbooth
Fine dining restaurant in Dedham Vale near Colchester, known for polished British cooking and a refined countryside setting.
Church Street Tavern
Established restaurant serving modern British dishes and seafood in a smart yet relaxed setting near the town centre.
Timbers
Popular casual venue for brunch, coffee and seasonal plates, with a friendly atmosphere and strong local reputation.
British pound sterling (£)
Moderate for England: hotels and dining cost less than London, but more than smaller UK towns. Buses are reasonable; central sightseeing is mostly low cost.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale restaurants.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Cafés usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
First Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £2
- Day pass
- £4.50
To the city centre
Colchester, East Hill / High Street -> Colchester Town Railway Station
- Distance
- 0.7 km
- Travel time
- 10 min
- Contactless Tap & Cap works on Colchester Shuttles and other First Bus services in Colchester. Official First Bus information states you will not pay more than £4.50 in a day.
- Use the First Bus app for live tracking, journey planning and mobile tickets. It also supports card, Apple Pay and Google Pay for ticket purchases.
FAQs: Chelmsford to Colchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chelmsford 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.
Cheap coach tickets from Chelmsford to Colchester can start from as little as £4 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Chelmsford to Colchester is £4; 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 Chelmsford to Colchester is 51m to travel the 34 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 Chelmsford to Colchester leaves at 3:42. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Chelmsford to Colchester leaves at 23:57.
Yes, there are 3 direct coaches a day from Chelmsford to Colchester with First Essex, Stephensons of Essex. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Chelmsford to Colchester, you can count on First Essex, Stephensons of Essex for the best way to get you to Colchester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Chelmsford and Colchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A day trip to Colchester from Chelmsford is worth doing with a journey time of 51m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Chelmsford to Colchester is February.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Chelmsford and Colchester including taking a train and coach.
No, the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester.
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.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester.
No, luggage for the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester.
No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Chelmsford to Colchester.
More options for your journey from Chelmsford to Colchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Colchester and Chelmsford
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
