Colchester to Manchester bus with National Express

Tue 02 Dec
+ Add return
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Megabus
Airport Bus Express Ltd
1,000+ travel companies
National Express
FlixBus
Alsa
Megabus
Airport Bus Express Ltd
1,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Colchester to Manchester

Showing times and prices for 02 Dec

Cheapest price

£56

Average price

£68

Fastest journey

9 h 10 m

Average duration

9 h 38 m

Buses per day

3

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 £68 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £56.

Fast coaches

Of the 3 buses that leave Colchester for Manchester every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 276 km distance in an average of 9 h 38 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 10 m .

The slowest buses will take 10 h 30 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.

National Express
18:3010h30
Colchester
05:00Manchester
£561One-way
0 changes
National Express
02:059h15
Colchester
11:20Manchester
£681One-way
0 changes
National Express
11:109h10
Colchester
20:20Manchester
£781One-way
0 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 £41. 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 £41, and a flight costs an average of £51.

Distance: 276 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train
Flight

£58

Average Price

Cheapest

£103

Average Price

£160

Average Price

8h 49m

Average total duration

8h 19m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 49m

Average total duration

4h 19m

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 today, Monday 1 December. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 10:47
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_express18:30 Colchester
10h35
05:05 Manchester0 changesdirect
Tuesday 2 December
national_express02:05 Colchester
9h15
11:20 Manchester0 changesdirect

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.

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

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 8 times per day, taking around 8h 19m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £41 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 20m.

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 19m
Cheapest ticket price
£41
Buses per day
8
Fastest bus
8h 20m
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 £41. 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 20m
Cheapest Price
£39
National Express frequency
8 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.

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 £41 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Colchester to Manchester is £59; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
On average the Colchester to Manchester coach time is 9 h 15 min   covering the 171 mile long journey, but the journey time can vary depending on specific dates or if traveling on weekends and holidays.
The first coach from Colchester to Manchester leaves at 03: 05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last coach from Colchester to Manchester leaves at 21: 35.
There are 7 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.
For the trip from Colchester to Manchester you can take a coach with National Express. Be sure to check out all possible coach companies that offer services to Manchester from Colchester on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.
The cheapest month to travel from Colchester to Manchester by coach is March.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel to Manchester from Colchester including taking a train, coach or flight.
No, the coach from Colchester to Manchester has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester.

To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Colchester to Manchester, follow these tips:

  • Book in advance: Tickets are often cheaper when booked early.
  • Be flexible with dates and times: Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money.
  • Use our search filters: Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options.
  • Look for special deals or discounts: Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
  • Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!

    Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester.
    No, luggage for the coach from Colchester to Manchester needs to be booked in addition.
    No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Colchester to Manchester.
    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Colchester to Manchester.
    No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester.
    No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Colchester to Manchester.

    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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