- Recommended
Chelmsford Museum
City museum in Oaklands House covering Chelmsford's archaeology, industry and local life. Good for a clear introduction to the area.
Cheapest price
£0.00
Average price
£0.16
Fastest journey
47 m
Average duration
1 h 8 m
Buses per day
28
Distance
34 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Colchester to Chelmsford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
Of the 28 buses that leave Colchester for Chelmsford every day 28 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 34 km distance in an average of 1 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 47 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 19 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Chelmsford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £10. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 24m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £10, and a coach costs an average of £15.
Distance: 34 km
| Coach | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
£15 Average Price | £14 Average Price Cheapest |
1h 48m Average total duration 1h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 54m Average total duration Fastest 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Chelmsford coaches for tomorrow, Monday 17 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:45 Colchester | 1h19 | 7:04 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 6:15 Colchester | 1h25 | 7:40 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 6:45 Colchester | 1h35 | 8:20 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:22 Colchester | 1h38 | 9:00 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:00 Colchester | 1h33 | 9:33 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:40 Colchester | 1h30 | 10:10 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:05 Colchester | 1h30 | 10:35 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:35 Colchester | 1h29 | 11:04 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:05 Colchester | 1h30 | 11:35 Chelmsford | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Colchester to Chelmsford run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 but you can travel from only £10 by train.
There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:14, the last at 23:44. The fastest coach covers the 34 km distance in 50m.
Distance 34 km |
Average bus duration 1h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price £15 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 50m |
First bus 0:14 |
Last bus 23:44 |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Chelmsford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chelmsford trip today.
City museum in Oaklands House covering Chelmsford's archaeology, industry and local life. Good for a clear introduction to the area.
Museum on the historic radio works site exploring Marconi, wireless innovation and broadcasting. A strong choice for technology enthusiasts.
Railway museum at Chelmsford station with artefacts, signalling history and volunteer displays. Small but engaging for transport fans.
Large historic estate with landscaped parkland, lakes, woods and gardens. Ideal for long walks, events and a classic Chelmsford day out.
Popular city-centre park with riverside paths, flower beds and open lawns. A convenient place for a gentle walk near shops and museums.
Attractive village green lined with historic buildings and a duck pond. A relaxed local favourite for a short stroll just west of the city.
A traditional pork sausage from nearby Saffron Walden, flavoured with sage and pepper. It is a classic Essex butcher’s sausage often served with mash or in breakfasts.
An old Essex apple tart made with local cooking apples, sugar and pastry. It reflects the county’s orchard heritage and is a familiar regional pudding.
A soft white cheese traditionally made in Essex from cow’s milk. It is mild, fresh and closely linked with the county’s farming and cheesemaking history.
Popular independent Turkish restaurant serving charcoal grills, meze and warm hospitality in a stylish yet casual setting.
Smart contemporary restaurant in central Chelmsford serving modern British dishes with polished service in a relaxed city setting.
Refined hotel dining room at Pontlands Park with seasonal British cooking and a traditional country house atmosphere.
Moderate for England: hotels and dining are cheaper than London, but rail fares and central stays can still raise daily visitor costs.
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10%. Taxis often round up or add 10%. Tipping in cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Chelmsford, Station (Stand VA) -> Chelmsford Bus Station
Coaches from Colchester to Chelmsford depart every day, including at weekends. There are multiple departures throughout the day, covering the 20 miles between the two destinations in Essex. The journey can take anywhere from 35 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the service selected.
Taking coaches from Colchester to Chelmsford can be as quick as 35 minutes or a little longer at 45 minutes. There are no changes required along the route, but passengers can decide which stops to get on and off at for their convenience.
There are up to 11 coaches a day travelling between Colchester and Chelmsford, with the first buses leaving early in the morning and the last mid-afternoon. The 6:00 a.m. departure can get passengers into Chelmsford in time for the start of the working day, while the 3.55 p.m. bus arrives late in the afternoon.
Departure bus station: Passengers boarding coaches from Colchester to Chelmsford can do so from a number of stops. These are the coach station, the railway station and Zingst, West. Colchester Coach Station is a 20-minute walk from the centre of town and on the numbers one A, 64 and 64A bus routes. There are refreshment facilities and toilets at the coach station.
Arrival bus station: Chelmsford Bus and Coach Terminal. This is a four-minute walk from the city centre and is close to other transport infrastructure, such as the train station. A retail complex is attached to the coach station, offering ample facilities, including toilets.
Coaches from Colchester to Chelmsford are operated by National Express, with multiple departures to choose from. While there is a disparity in length between some of the services, it's only about a 10 minute difference.
National Express operates 11 coaches a day from Colchester to Chelmsford, offering a number of departure times, from 6:00 a.m. until 3.55 p.m. There is no need for passengers to change buses between the two destinations in the southeast, but there are a number of stops on the route. This can be particularly convenient for anyone not wanting to get on the coach in central Colchester.
Everybody who buys a ticket for National Express coaches from Colchester to Chelmsford is guaranteed a comfortable seat with a generous amount of legroom and individual air conditioning controls. The VUER entertainment system is provided as standard, with hours of TV and films to screen throughout the journey. There is also free WiFi and accessible USB ports near each seat. Passengers have a luggage allowance of one case measuring 75 cm x 50 cm x 32 cm or two cases no bigger than 70 cm x 45 cm x 70 cm. In total, this baggage must not weigh more than 20 kg. An additional piece of soft hand luggage measuring 45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm or smaller is also allowed on board. Extra pieces can be transported inside the hold for a supplementary fee. Pets are not permitted on board, with the exception of assistance dogs. Bikes are welcomed if they have been folded up, dismantled into manageable pieces or wrapped in an appropriate manner; they will then be considered as one piece of luggage. The majority of National Express's coaches from Colchester to Chelmsford can be accessed by disabled passengers due to lifts fitted at the front. It's best for passengers with mobility issues to contact National Express 36 hours before travel to secure their services.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester to Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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