- Must visit
Colchester Castle Museum
Main city museum inside the castle, covering Roman Colchester, local archaeology and later history in a dramatic historic setting.
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Travel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Chester to Colchester
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Chester to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £66. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 8m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £66, and a flight costs an average of £148.
Distance: 295 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£66 Average Price Cheapest | £104 Average Price | £156 Average Price |
7h 47m Average total duration 7h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 29m Average total duration 2h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 8m Average total duration Fastest 1h 8m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare prices and tickets Chester to Colchester by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train and flight 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.
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Why should you book Chester to Colchester coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from Chester to Colchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Chester to Colchester.
Why book with Omio vs National Express?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chester to Colchester.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Chester to Colchester.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chester to Colchester
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Chester to Colchester run on average 3 times per day, taking around 7h 17m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £66 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 19:50. The fastest coach covers the 295 km distance in 12h 10m.
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 295 km |
Average bus duration 7h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price £66 |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 12h 10m |
First bus 0:30 |
Last bus 19:50 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
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 Chester to ColchesterYou can travel by bus between Chester to Colchester with National Express for as low as £66. 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
12h 10m
Cheapest Price
£66
National Express frequency
2 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.
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: Chester to Colchester coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chester 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 Chester to Colchester can start from as little as £66 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Chester to Colchester is £66; 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 Chester to Colchester is 12h 10m to travel the 295 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 Chester to Colchester leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Chester to Colchester leaves at 19:50.
There are 3 coaches a day from Chester 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 Chester 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 Chester and Colchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Colchester from Chester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 12h 10m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Chester to Colchester is November.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Chester and Colchester including taking a coach, train and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Chester to Colchester:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Chester to Colchester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Chester 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 Chester to Colchester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Chester 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 Chester to Colchester:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Chester to Colchester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Chester to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Chester to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Chester to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Chester and Colchester
Most Chester to Colchester buses use the Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange) to Colchester, East Hill / High Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Chester and Colchester bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Chester
Arrival bus stations in Colchester
Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange)Chester Interchange station, George Street 26, CH1 3EA
City-centre transport
Getting to Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange) from Chester city centre
Bus11, 11A · 4m · £2 · every ~8 min
61, 16, 62 · 8m · £4 · every ~9 min
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
City-centre transport
Getting to Colchester, East Hill / High Street from Colchester city centre
Bus1, 2, 3 · 1m · £3 · every ~17 min
107, 105 · 7m · £0.90 · every ~3 min
More options for your journey from Chester to Colchester
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Most popular buses to and from Colchester and Chester
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