Colchester to Manchester bus with National Express

Sat 28 Feb
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Colchester to Manchester

Showing times and prices for 02 Mar

Cheapest price

£42

Average price

£57

Fastest journey

9 h 10 m

Average duration

9 h 25 m

Buses per day

9

Distance

276 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Colchester to Manchester will cost around £57 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £42.

Fast coaches

To travel from Colchester to Manchester you need to make at least 2 changes.

National ExpressNX717 · NXA8 · NX540
03:059h15
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
12:20Manchester, Coach Station
£421One-way
2 changes
National ExpressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
16:309h15
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
01:45Manchester, Coach Station
£521One-way
2 changes
National ExpressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
14:109h45
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
23:55Manchester, Coach Station
£541One-way
2 changes
National ExpressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
12:109h10
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
21:20Manchester, Coach Station
£561One-way
2 changes
National ExpressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
08:259h40
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
18:05Manchester, Coach Station
£561One-way
2 changes

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Colchester to Manchester

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Manchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £37. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 3m. 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 £37, and a flight costs an average of £51.

Distance: 276 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train
Flight

£58

Average Price

Cheapest

£91

Average Price

£168

Average Price

8h 48m

Average total duration

8h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 48m

Average total duration

4h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 3m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 3m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.3 - 0.7kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.8 - 1.6kg

CO2 emissions

National Express

Most popular bus company

Avanti West Coast

Most popular train company

British Airways

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

Live departures

Colchester to Manchester bus times

The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Manchester coaches for tomorrow, Monday 2 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 22:05
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_expressNX717 · NXA8 · NX540
On time
03:05 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
9h15
12:20 Manchester, Coach Station
2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
On time
06:05 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
9h45
15:50 Manchester, Coach Station
2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
On time
08:25 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
9h40
18:05 Manchester, Coach Station
2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
On time
12:10 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
9h10
21:20 Manchester, Coach Station
2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
On time
14:10 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
9h45
23:55 Manchester, Coach Station
2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NX737 · NX540
On time
16:30 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
9h15
01:45 Manchester, Coach Station
2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NX777 · NX42419:30 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
10h35
06:05 Manchester, Coach Station2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NXA8 · NX42121:35 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
10h00
07:35 Manchester, Coach Station2 changes
national_expressNX717 · NXA8 · NX42121:35 Colchester, East Hill / High Street
10h00
07:35 Manchester, Coach Station2 changes

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Colchester to Manchester by train, coach or flight

Compare train, coach 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.

Mon
02 Mar
Tue
03 Mar
Wed
04 Mar
Thu
05 Mar
Fri
06 Mar
Sat
07 Mar
Sun
08 Mar

Why should you book Colchester to Manchester coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Colchester to Manchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Colchester to Manchester.

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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Colchester to Manchester.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Colchester to Manchester.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Colchester to Manchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Colchester to Manchester run on average 9 times per day, taking around 8h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £37 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 276 km distance in 8h 50m.

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
276 km
Average bus duration
8h 18m
Cheapest ticket price
£37
Buses per day
9
Fastest bus
8h 50m
First bus
00:05
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 Colchester to ManchesterYou can travel by bus between Colchester to Manchester with National Express for as low as £37. 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
8h 50m
Cheapest Price
£37
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: Colchester to Manchester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester to Manchester 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 Manchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Colchester to Manchester can start from as little as £37 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Colchester to Manchester is £58; 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 Manchester is 8h 50m to travel the 276 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 Manchester leaves at 0:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Colchester to Manchester leaves at 23:55.
There are 9 coaches a day from Colchester to Manchester 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 Manchester, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Manchester. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Colchester and Manchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Manchester from Colchester is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 8h 50m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Colchester to Manchester is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Colchester and Manchester including taking a train, coach and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Colchester to Manchester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Colchester to Manchester 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 Manchester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Colchester to Manchester:
  • 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 Manchester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Colchester to Manchester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Colchester to Manchester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Colchester and Manchester

Colchester
Manchester
The major coach station for departures in Colchester is Colchester, East Hill / High Street. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Colchester, East Hill / High Street for your trip from Colchester to Manchester.
Colchester, East Hill / High Street
information
HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Manchester Colchester to Manchester bus

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