- Must visit
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Major university museum with classical sculptures, paintings, antiquities, and decorative arts. Strong choice for a broad first visit.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Colchester to Cambridge
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 04 Sept
Cheapest price on 04 Sept
£13
Average ticket price on 04 Sept
£25
Fastest journey on 04 Sept
2 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 04 Sept
3 h 11 m
Buses on 04 Sept
6
Distance
64 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Colchester to Cambridge is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Colchester to Cambridge will cost around £25 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £13.
Fast coaches
To travel from Colchester to Cambridge you need to make at least one change.
FlixBus · FlixBus8:004h10Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station)12:10Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£131One-way1 change
NX717 · NX72711:553h35Colchester, East Hill / High Street15:30Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£221One-way1 change- NX717 · NX72714:103h15Colchester, East Hill / High Street17:25Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£221One-way1 change
- NX717 · NX72718:402h55Colchester, East Hill / High Street21:35Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£221One-way1 change
- NX717 · NX72716:453h15Colchester, East Hill / High Street20:00Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£311One-way1 change
- NX717 · NX72718:402h55Colchester, East Hill / High Street21:35Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£221One-way1 change
- NX717 · NX7288:402h55Colchester, East Hill / High Street11:35Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£401One-way1 change
- NX717 · NX72714:103h15Colchester, East Hill / High Street17:25Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£221One-way1 change
- NX717 · NX72716:453h15Colchester, East Hill / High Street20:00Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£311One-way1 change
- NX717 · NX72711:553h35Colchester, East Hill / High Street15:30Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)£221One-way1 change
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Colchester to Cambridge
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Cambridge among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £24 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 8m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, while a train costs an average of £25.
Distance: 64 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£24 Average Price Cheapest | £25 Average Price | £13 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 22m Average total duration 1h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 8m Average total duration Fastest 1h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The cheapest way to travel from Colchester to Cambridge is a coach with an average price of £24.
This is compared to other travel options from Colchester to Cambridge:
A coach is £1 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Colchester to Cambridge costing on average £25.
The fastest way to travel from Colchester to Cambridge is by train with an average journey time of 1h 38m.
Other travel options to Cambridge take longer:
Coach takes on average 1h 52m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Colchester and Cambridge 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 £24 compared to roughly £13 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-10.83. The journey takes 1h 52m versus 1h 19m 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.
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
Colchester to Cambridge bus times
The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Cambridge coaches for today, Thursday 3 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 Colchester | 4h05 | 23:35 Cambridge | 0 changesdirect | |
| 21:35 Colchester | 4h10 | 1:45 Cambridge | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 4 September | |||||
| FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:00 Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) | 4h10 | 12:10 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
| NX717 · NX728 | 8:40 Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 2h55 | 11:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
| NX717 · NX727 | 11:55 Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 3h35 | 15:30 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
| NX717 · NX727 | 14:10 Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 3h15 | 17:25 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
| NX717 · NX727 | 16:45 Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 3h15 | 20:00 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
| NX717 · NX727 | 18:40 Colchester, East Hill / High Street | 2h55 | 21:35 Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Colchester to Cambridge 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
04 Sept
04 Sept
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05 Sept
05 Sept
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06 Sept
06 Sept
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07 Sept
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10 Sept
10 Sept
Why should you book Colchester to Cambridge coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from Colchester to Cambridge.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Colchester to Cambridge.
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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Colchester to Cambridge.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Colchester to Cambridge.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Colchester to Cambridge
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Colchester to Cambridge run on average 7 times per day, taking around 1h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £11 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 04:51, the last at 22:00. The fastest coach covers the 64 km distance in 2h 45m.
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 64 km |
Average bus duration 1h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price £11 |
Buses per day 7 |
Fastest bus 2h 45m |
First bus 4:51 |
Last bus 22:00 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 3 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: National Express from Colchester to CambridgeYou can travel by bus between Colchester to Cambridge with National Express for as low as £11. 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 National Express Duration
2h 45m
Cheapest National Express Price
£24
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 Cambridge
Things to do in Cambridge
Discover the best of Cambridge — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cambridge trip today.
- Recommended
Kettle's Yard
Contemporary art gallery in a former chapel, showing changing exhibitions by modern and international artists near the city centre.
- Recommended
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Museum of Earth sciences with dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and minerals. Compact, family-friendly, and useful for a rainy day.
- Must visit
The Backs
Riverside green linking college backs and open meadows. Ideal for walking, punting views, and classic Cambridge photographs.
- Must visit
Market Square
Lively square and shopping area with the market, historic streets, and buskers. A practical starting point for exploring the old centre.
- Recommended
Trinity Lane
Historic lane of colleges, chapels, and gateways. A rewarding walk for architecture, student atmosphere, and easy access to central sights.
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
Cambridge burnt cream
A Cambridge creation: a rich dessert of vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, whipped cream and meringue, long associated with Cambridge college dining.
- Gluten-free
Cambridgeshire fidget pie
A traditional Cambridgeshire farm dish of braised beef or mutton with onions and root vegetables, reflecting the county’s rural cooking heritage.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Pippin paste
An old East Anglian fruit preserve made from windfall apples slowly cooked to a dark, tangy spread, once common in Cambridgeshire households.
Midsummer House
Refined British tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting just outside the city centre.
The Riverbar Steakhouse and Grill
Long-running riverside restaurant known for modern European cooking and views over the Cam in a smart but relaxed room.
The Eagle
Popular city-centre pub serving cask ales and hearty British food in a lively, historic atmosphere.
Pound sterling (£)
Cambridge is pricier than many UK cities. Hotels and dining are above average, but walking and buses help keep transport costs manageable.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £20-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £60+ per person for fine dining.
- Coffee
- £3-4.50 for a cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Cafés usually do not expect tips.
Stagecoach Bus
Get the appOfficial public transport app
Prices
- Single ticket
- £3
- Day pass
- /public_transport/single_ticket_price may be null if no reliable day pass exists. - Official public transport app for the city. - Official public transport website. - public_transport.day_pass_price may be null if no reliable day pass exists. - public_transport.website must be an official operator or transport authority URL, or null if no official website exists. - 1-2 essential public transport tips, each max 200 characters. - If possible, mention whether card/contactless payment works on trams, buses, or metro. - Each tip must be no longer than 2 sentences. - Use local currency format with currency symbol instead of currency code. if you mention price. For app_store_url and play_store_url, always use search URLs based on the app name, never direct app links: - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/search?term=<app_name>&entity=software - Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=<app_name>&c=apps Replace spaces in app names with +. Also include arrival information from Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) to the city center: - station is the arrival station name. - destination is a central destination in the city, such as the main station, central bus station, or a well-known central square. - directions_url format: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&origin={urlencoded_station}&destination={urlencoded_destination}. Replace spaces with + and include the city in origin and destination names. - distance_to_city_center: include distance with units, for example "3 km". - travel_time_to_city_center: include time with units, for example "20 min". - best_option must include type, price, duration, and website. - best_option may be public transport, taxi, or rideshare. - best_option.type should be specific where possible, for example "S-Bahn S9" or "Taxi". - best_option.price must use local currency and use local currency format. If best_option uses metro, train, or RER, use the standard full-price metro/train/RER ticket. - best_option.duration must include units, for example "30 min". - best_option.website should be a ticketing or operator URL, or null if none is available. Use British English in the output.Never translate or alter placeholders inside {...}. Keep punctuation around placeholders natural for the target language. For attraction, landmark, and place names, use the name most commonly used in the target language: - If the place has a widely established target-language name (an exonym), use it. For example, in Spanish "Eiffel Tower" becomes "Torre Eiffel". Never leave an English name when the target language has a common name for the place. - Otherwise keep the authentic local or official name unchanged. Do not word-for-word translate proper names that have no established target-language form, for example keep "Musée d'Orsay" as is. Do not translate restaurant or other venue names, station names, URLs, app names, or currency codes.
To the city centre
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) -> Cambridge City Centre
- Distance
- 0.4 km
- Travel time
- 5 min
- Adult local bus single fares in Cambridge are capped at £3; under-25s with a Tiger pass pay £1.
- Cambridge city buses are mainly Stagecoach and Whippet. Check operator acceptance before buying a multi-operator ticket.
FAQs: Colchester to Cambridge coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester to Cambridge 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 Cambridge, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Colchester to Cambridge can start from as little as £11 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Colchester to Cambridge is £24; 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 Colchester to Cambridge is 2h 45m to travel the 64 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 Colchester to Cambridge leaves at 4:51. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Colchester to Cambridge leaves at 22:00.
There are 7 coaches a day from Colchester to Cambridge which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Colchester to Cambridge, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Cambridge. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Colchester and Cambridge and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Cambridge from Colchester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 2h 45m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Colchester to Cambridge is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Colchester and Cambridge including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Colchester to Cambridge:
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Colchester to Cambridge for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Colchester to Cambridge 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 Colchester to Cambridge.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Colchester to Cambridge:
- 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 Colchester to Cambridge:
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Colchester to Cambridge.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Colchester to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Colchester to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Colchester to Cambridge with the following coach company: National Express.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Colchester and Cambridge
Most Colchester to Cambridge buses use the Colchester, East Hill / High Street to Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) station pair. Use this guide to compare Colchester and Cambridge bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Colchester
Arrival bus stations in Cambridge
Which Colchester station do buses to Cambridge leave from?
Buses from Colchester to Cambridge leave from Colchester, East Hill / High Street. The station is from Colchester city centre at Colchester Bus Station, Colchester CO2 7DP, UK.
Colchester, East Hill / High StreetColchester Bus Station, Colchester CO2 7DP, UK
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
Colchester, East Hill / High Street bus station facilities and services
Colchester, East Hill / High Street has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street. ATMs are available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Colchester, East Hill / High Street: Limited accessibility features.
Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station)Colchester Bus Station, Colchester CO2 7DP, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) from Colchester city centre
Bus74B, 107, 105, 43 · 3m · £3 · every ~5 min
Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) bus station facilities and services
Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station). ATMs are available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station).
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Colchester, Stanwell Street (Bus station): Wheelchair accessible with ramps.
Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece)
City-centre transport
Getting to Cambridge, Parkside (Parker's Piece) from Cambridge city centre
BusTour · 31m · £2 · every ~6 min
More options for your journey from Colchester to Cambridge
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Cambridge and Colchester
Most popular bus connections
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