London to Colchester bus with National Express

Wed 25 Feb
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from London to Colchester

Showing times and prices for 26 Feb

Cheapest price

£40

Average price

£40

Fastest journey

3 h 10 m

Average duration

3 h 30 m

Buses per day

8

Distance

83 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from London to Colchester will cost around £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £40.

Fast coaches

To travel from London to Colchester you need to make at least one change.

National ExpressNXA8 · NX717
22:003h15
London, Victoria Coach Station
01:15Colchester, East Hill / High Street
£401One-way
1 change
National ExpressNXA8 · NX717
08:303h40
London, Victoria Coach Station
12:10Colchester, East Hill / High Street
£411One-way
1 change
National ExpressNXA8 · NX717
02:403h10
London, Victoria Coach Station
05:50Colchester, East Hill / High Street
£411One-way
1 change
National ExpressNXA8 · NX717
06:003h45
London, Victoria Coach Station
09:45Colchester, East Hill / High Street
£411One-way
1 change
National ExpressNXA8 · NX717
15:004h05
London, Victoria Coach Station
19:05Colchester, East Hill / High Street
£411One-way
1 change

Travel Information

Compare train and coach for London to Colchester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £9. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 53m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £9, and a coach costs an average of £20.

Distance: 83 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£34

Average Price

£24

Average Price

Cheapest

2h 44m

Average total duration

2h 14m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
National Express

Most popular bus company

Abellio Greater Anglia

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

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

Live departures

London to Colchester bus times

The table below shows live departures for London to Colchester coaches for today, Wednesday 25 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at 05:30
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
national_express13:00 London
3h40
16:40 Colchester0 changesdirect
national_express22:00 London
3h15
01:15 Colchester0 changesdirect
Thursday 26 February
national_expressNXA8 · NX71702:40 London, Victoria Coach Station
3h10
05:50 Colchester, East Hill / High Street1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets London to Colchester 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.

Thu
26 Feb
Fri
27 Feb
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28 Feb
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18 Mar

Why should you book London to Colchester coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from London to Colchester.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London 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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from London to Colchester.

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 London to Colchester.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from London to Colchester

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from London to Colchester run on average 8 times per day, taking around 2h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £9 by train.

The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:57. The fastest coach covers the 83 km distance in 1h 42m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £9
Distance
83 km
Average bus duration
2h 14m
Cheapest ticket price
£20
Buses per day
8
Fastest bus
1h 42m
First bus
00:05
Last bus
23:57
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £9

Bus providers: National Express from London to ColchesterYou can travel by bus between London to Colchester with National Express for as low as £9. 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
2h 20m
Cheapest Price
£22
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.

Coaches from London to Colchester

There are fast and frequent departures from London to Colchester every day. The first coach departures are very early in the morning, while the last coach departs very late at night. The fastest coaches are the non-stop services, which can take less than two and a half hours. Indirect services, requiring a change of coaches, can take up almost four hours.

Which coach companies travel from London to Colchester?

National Express is the sole provider of coaches for the journey from London to Colchester. The company operates both the non-stop and indirect services. No other company operates coaches on the route from London to Colchester.

How long is the coach from London to Colchester?

The fastest journeys on this route are on the non-stop services, which operate throughout the day. The very fastest of these direct journeys can take less than two and a half hours. Other non-stop services, however, can take longer: up to three hours, depending on the time of departure from London. Indirect services require a change of buses at London's Stansted Airport. These journeys are substantially longer, at up to four hours.

How many coaches are there from London to Colchester?

On weekdays, there are 13 daily coaches from London to Colchester, with 12 running on both Saturdays and Sundays. The first coaches on both weekdays and weekends leave in the early morning and the last leave late at night. There are departures at least every two hours throughout the day.

What are the departure and arrival stations for coaches from London to Colchester?

Departure coach station: London Victoria Coach Station is the departure point for all of these journeys from London to Colchester. This large, busy bus station is within walking distance of London's West End. Among the many facilities available are public toilets, cash machines, restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets and left luggage facilities. Victoria Railway Station is directly adjacent to the coach station and has a stop on London's Underground. Local buses leave from just outside.

Arrival coach station: Colchester Stanwell Street is the arrival point for all of these coach journeys. This is a bus stop rather than a bus station, located in the town centre with restaurants, cafes and other facilities within easy reach. Local buses depart from the stop. The railway station is within ten minutes' walk.

FAQs: London to Colchester coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London 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.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from London to Colchester can start from as little as £20 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for London to Colchester is £34; 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 London to Colchester is 1h 42m to travel the 83 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 London to Colchester leaves at 0:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from London to Colchester leaves at 23:57.
There are 8 coaches a day from London 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 London 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 London and Colchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A day trip to Colchester from London is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 42m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from London to Colchester is May.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London and Colchester including taking a train and coach.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from London to Colchester:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from London to Colchester for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from London 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 London to Colchester.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from London 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 London to Colchester:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from London to Colchester.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from London to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from London to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from London to Colchester with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in London and Colchester

London
Colchester
The major coach station for departures in London is London, Victoria Coach Station. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at London, Victoria Coach Station for your trip from London to Colchester.
London, Victoria Coach StationWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 06:00-23:00
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
2 km
carConnection
Car connection
Buckingham Palace Road
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Dining
Dining
  • Pret a Manger (in the station)
  • Starbucks (in the station).
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the station on Buckingham Palace Road.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Elevators, ramps
WC
WC
  • Available in the station.
Public transport options for London, Victoria Coach Station
  • Bus: 11, 44, 170, 211, C1, C10 Metro: Victoria Train: Southern, Gatwick Express
London, Bishopsgate (Liverpool Street Station - Stop G)WifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 06:00-23:00
ticketOfficeHours
Distance to city center
3 km
carConnection
Car connection
Bishopsgate
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Dining
Dining
  • Pret a Manger (in the station)
  • Starbucks (in the station).
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the station on Bishopsgate.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Elevators, ramps
WC
WC
  • Available in the station.
Public transport options for London, Bishopsgate (Liverpool Street Station - Stop G)
  • Bus: 11, 23, 26, 76, 133, 388 Metro: Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan Train: Greater Anglia, TfL Rail
Amenities at bus station
WifiWifi
ParkingParking
DiningDining
ATMATM
TaxisTaxis
AccessibilityAccessibility
WCWC
Ticket OfficeTicket Office
information
ticketOfficeHours
Ticket Office Hours
  • 00:00-23:59
carConnection
Car connection
Bath Road
Wifi
Wifi
  • Free Wi-Fi
Dining
Dining
  • Pret a Manger (in the station)
  • Caffè Nero (in the station)
Taxis
Taxis
  • Available outside the arrivals area, with services provided by licensed black cabs and private hire vehicles.
Accessibility
Accessibility
  • Ramps, assistance
WC
WC
  • Available in the station.
Public transport options for London, Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 & 3
  • Bus: 105, 111, 140, 285, 423 Train: Heathrow Express Metro: Piccadilly

More options for your journey from London to Colchester

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