- Recommended
Clacton Museum
Local history museum covering Clacton’s growth as a resort, wartime stories and seaside life. A useful starting point for understanding the town.
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Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £52 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 46m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £52, while a train costs an average of £72.
Distance: 203 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£52 Average Price Cheapest | £72 Average Price | £40 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 15m Average total duration 6h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 46m Average total duration Fastest 3h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 10m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea is a coach with an average price of £52.
This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea:
A coach is £20 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea costing on average £72.
The fastest way to travel from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea is by train with an average journey time of 3h 16m.
Other travel options to Clacton-on-Sea take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 45m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Clacton-on-Sea including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around £52 compared to roughly £40 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-11.18. The journey takes 6h 45m versus 3h 10m 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.
Live departures
Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea bus times
The table below shows live departures for Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 20:30 Southampton | 9h20 | 5:50 Clacton-on-Sea | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea by coach or train
Compare coach and train 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea run on average 9 times per day, taking around 6h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £52 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 02:05, the last at 21:35. The fastest coach covers the 203 km distance in 6h 45m.
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 203 km |
Average bus duration 6h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price £52 |
Buses per day 9 |
Fastest bus 6h 45m |
First bus 2:05 |
Last bus 21:35 |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
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
Complete guide to Clacton-on-Sea
Things to do in Clacton-on-Sea
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.
- Recommended
Jaywick Martello Tower
Contemporary art gallery in a converted Martello tower at Jaywick. It combines exhibitions with the unusual experience of a historic coastal fort.
- Recommended
Naze Tower
Historic wartime site by the Naze with exhibitions on coastal defence, radar and military history. Worth the short trip from Clacton for history fans.
- Must visit
Clacton Beach
Long sandy beach backed by the promenade, popular for traditional seaside walks, paddling and broad coastal views across the North Sea.
- Recommended
Clacton Seafront Gardens
Landscaped seafront gardens beside the beach and promenade, ideal for relaxed walks, floral displays and easy access to the pier and town centre.
- Recommended
Holland-on-Sea Seafront
Quieter stretch of seafront east of the centre, known for beach huts, sea views and a more local atmosphere for walking and relaxing.
- Gluten-free
Essex Oysters
Fresh North Sea oysters from nearby Essex estuaries, prized for their clean, briny flavour and long local shellfish tradition.
- Gluten-free
Jellied Eels
Jellied eels are chopped eels set in savoury stock. They are an old East Anglian and Thames Estuary classic still recognised across Essex.
- Gluten-free
Smoked Eel
Hot smoked eel has a rich, oily flavour and reflects the long fishing and eel-curing heritage of the Essex coast and estuaries.
The Fish House
Casual harbourside-style seafood spot focused on fish, shellfish and simple British coastal dishes in an informal setting.
Armstrong's at the Pavilion
Popular seafront fish and chip shop known for freshly cooked classics and an easy-going traditional seaside atmosphere.
The Roaring Donkey
Well-known pub and dining venue offering British favourites, Sunday roasts and drinks in a comfortable, traditional setting.
British pound sterling (£)
Moderate for a UK seaside town. Dining is fairly priced, but summer stays and family attractions can raise costs; local buses are reasonable.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-12 for fast food or a simple café meal.
- Mid-range
- £15-25 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £35+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for a cappuccino or similar coffee.
Tipping culture
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.
FAQs: Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton 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.
Cheap coach tickets from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea can start from as little as £52 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea is £52; 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 Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea is 6h 45m to travel the 203 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 Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea leaves at 2:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea leaves at 21:35.
When departing from Southampton , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Southampton, Coach Station, Southampton, University . When arriving in Clacton-on-Sea , you can end your route in coach stations like Colchester, East Hill / High Street.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Southampton, Coach Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Colchester, East Hill / High Street, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Clacton-on-Sea from Southampton is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 6h 45m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Clacton-on-Sea including taking a coach and train.
No, the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea has no accessibility options.
No, there are no bathrooms on board the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea.
No, bikes are not allowed on board the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea.
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.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea.
No, luggage for the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea needs to be booked in addition.
No, there are no additional luggage options for the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea.
No, there are no USB plugs on board the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea.
No, there is no WiFi on board the coach from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Southampton and Clacton-on-Sea
Most Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea buses use the Southampton, Coach Station to Colchester, East Hill / High Street station pair. Use this guide to compare Southampton and Clacton-on-Sea bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Southampton
Arrival bus stations in Clacton-on-Sea
Which Southampton station do buses to Clacton-on-Sea leave from?
Buses from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea leave from Southampton, Coach Station. The station is from Southampton city centre at Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United Kingdom.
Southampton, Coach StationHarbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United Kingdom
City-centre transport
Getting to Southampton, Coach Station from Southampton city centre
BusX4, X5 · 5m · £2 · every ~20 min
Southampton, Coach Station bus station facilities and services
Southampton, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Café Express (in the station), Sandwich Bar (in the station).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance for cash withdrawals.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Southampton, Coach Station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Southampton, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
Southampton, UniversityUniversity Rd, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
City-centre transport
Getting to Southampton, University from Southampton city centre
Southampton, University is 3 km from Southampton city centre. Public transport options include:
BusU2b, U2 · 11m · £2 · every ~6 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 25m · £2 · every ~37 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 29m · £2 · every ~37 min
Southampton, University bus station facilities and services
Southampton, University has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Wi-Fi is available at Southampton, University. ATMs are available at Southampton, University.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Southampton, University.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Southampton, University: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton, University: Basic accessibility features are available for passengers.
Most popular bus connections from Southampton
More options for your journey from Southampton to Clacton-on-Sea
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Clacton-on-Sea and Southampton
Most popular bus connections
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