Standard
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£57
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£58
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
9 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
9 h 55 m
Buses on 18 Sept
2
Distance
296 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea will cost around £58 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £57.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 2 buses from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea, including 2 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 296 km distance in an average of 9 h 55 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 15 m .
The slowest buses will take 10 h 35 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 Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £47 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 10m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £47, while a flight costs an average of £81.
Distance: 296 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£47 Average Price Cheapest | £72 Average Price | £81 Average Price | £61 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 35m Average total duration 8h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 22m Average total duration 3h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea:
A coach is £25 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea costing on average £72.
A coach is £34 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea costing on average £81.
Other travel options to Clacton-on-Sea take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 52m.
Coach takes on average 8h 5m.
Tickets start at around £47 compared to roughly £61 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £14. The journey takes 8h 5m versus 5h 1m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:15 Manchester | 10h25 | 16:40 Clacton-on-Sea | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
![]() | 4:40 Manchester | 9h15 | 13:55 Clacton-on-Sea | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea run on average 8 times per day, taking around 8h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £42 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 02:45, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 296 km distance in 8h 35m.
Distance 296 km |
Average bus duration 8h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price £42 |
Buses per day 8 |
Fastest bus 8h 35m |
First bus 2:45 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 3 days |
Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.
Discover the best of Clacton-on-Sea — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Clacton-on-Sea trip today.
Local history museum covering Clacton’s growth as a resort, wartime stories and seaside life. A useful starting point for understanding the town.
Contemporary art gallery in a converted Martello tower at Jaywick. It combines exhibitions with the unusual experience of a historic coastal fort.
Historic wartime site by the Naze with exhibitions on coastal defence, radar and military history. Worth the short trip from Clacton for history fans.
Long sandy beach backed by the promenade, popular for traditional seaside walks, paddling and broad coastal views across the North Sea.
Landscaped seafront gardens beside the beach and promenade, ideal for relaxed walks, floral displays and easy access to the pier and town centre.
Quieter stretch of seafront east of the centre, known for beach huts, sea views and a more local atmosphere for walking and relaxing.
Fresh North Sea oysters from nearby Essex estuaries, prized for their clean, briny flavour and long local shellfish tradition.
Jellied eels are chopped eels set in savoury stock. They are an old East Anglian and Thames Estuary classic still recognised across Essex.
Hot smoked eel has a rich, oily flavour and reflects the long fishing and eel-curing heritage of the Essex coast and estuaries.
Casual harbourside-style seafood spot focused on fish, shellfish and simple British coastal dishes in an informal setting.
Popular seafront fish and chip shop known for freshly cooked classics and an easy-going traditional seaside atmosphere.
Well-known pub and dining venue offering British favourites, Sunday roasts and drinks in a comfortable, traditional setting.
Moderate for a UK seaside town. Dining is fairly priced, but summer stays and family attractions can raise costs; local buses are reasonable.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common if service is not included. Round up for taxis, and tip cafés only for table service or exceptional service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea 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 Clacton-on-Sea, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Manchester to Clacton-on-Sea buses use the Manchester, Coach Station to Colchester, East Hill / High Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Manchester and Clacton-on-Sea bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Manchester, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café at the Station (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located within the station for cash withdrawals.
Ticket office support is available at Manchester, Coach Station.
Available at Manchester, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Manchester, Coach Station: Ramps, assistance.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need